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The Zhejiang Ocean Family Co., Ltd. (大洋世家(浙江)股份公司 / ZOF) is a leading fishery company in Chinese and global seafood supply chains. This investigation found that 12 vessels owned or chartered by ZOF or a ZOF subsidiary were systematically engaged in different forms of IUU fishing such as shark finning, intentionally killing cetaceans. Vessels were also implicated in a number of human rights abuses including physical abuse, salary deductions, human trafficking and forced labour.

Since February 2016, EJF has carried out multiple in-depth observations of the Royal Thai Government’s (RTG) initiatives aimed at tackling IUU fishing and human trafficking in the Thai fishing industry. This version is the 10th edition of this technical report. It represents the culmination of eight years worth of experience working directly with the Thai authorities as well as conducting independent field assessments of Thailand’s monitoring, control and surveillance mechanisms.

Since February 2016, EJF has carried out multiple in-depth observations of the Royal Thai Government’s (RTG) initiatives aimed at tackling IUU fishing and human trafficking in the Thai fishing industry. EJF has observed all stages of the monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) systems in place with visits to all 30 ‘Port In Port Out’ (PIPO) centres, all three Thai Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Centre (THAI-MECC) Area Commands, as well as witnessing multiple at-sea patrols conducted by the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Marine Police, Department of Fisheries (DoF) and Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).

It has now been over three years since the European Commission removed the yellow card issued to Thailand - a warning that had been in place since April 2015. Since January 2019, Thailand has gone through several crucial periods of transition, leadership and hardship including; a general election, the hosting of the ASEAN summit and a global pandemic. Throughout these opportunities and challenges the Royal Thai Government (RTG) has continued to demonstrate great resolve and resilience in addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as associated forced labour and human trafficking in the sector. This briefing provides detailed analysis for each of these areas as well as recommendations for how the RTG could take steps to address current gaps.

A new law proposed in Thailand includes clear violations of the right to freedom of association, and threatens civil society organizations combatting human trafficking. We urge the US State Department to advocate for the Thai government to withdraw the bill.

While Thailand has been making progress in its efforts to eradicate illegal fishing and human rights abuse, issues remain. This updated briefing outlines these issues and presents recommendations to address them.

Since February 2016, EJF has observed improvements in inspection procedures, adoption of a risk-based approach to vessel inspections, and the proliferation of translators at PIPO centres. This briefing presents the issues that remain and recommendations to address them.