Cast net wider
Re:"Fisherfolk fight trawler amnerty push" (Opinion, July 16).
Kudos to Sanitsuda Ekachai for speaking out against big trawlers that are using finemeshed nets for fishing in the seas along the Andaman coast and Gulf of Thailand. small fishermen are decrying the fisheries Department's attempt to give amnesty to all illegal trawlers, in order for exporters to prevent Western buyers from boycotting Thai marine products. The amnerty is awaiting a nod of approval from the military junta.
The military junta under Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha should move to alleviate the plight of small fishermen-and not for the good of selfish exporters.
Big companies that buy large amounts of small fish for use as fishmeal are destroying the country's valuable fish stocks that should be preserved for human consumption.Some firms are involved in large-scale prawn farming that has not only destroyed more than half of the mangrove areas of this country already, but is promoting the use of slave labour that sometimes results in brutal beatings and even murders.
The military should look for ways to stop these big firms from exploiting the country and its small fishermen any further.