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Violent abuse of migrant workers and flagrant illegal fishing are systemic problems across Taiwan’s distant water fishing fleet, a survey conducted by EJF of crew from 62 vessels has found.

Over the last year EJF has observed improvements in PIPO inspection procedures, adoption of a risk-based approach to vessel inspections, and the proliferation of translators at PIPO centres. However, issues and concerns remain which continue to impair the MCS management system as a whole.

Thailand’s seafood industry was in recent years blighted by uncontrolled growth across its fishing sector resulting in rampant illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as violent associated human rights abuses including physical and verbal abuse and even murder. The decision in 2014 by the European Commission in April 2015 to issue a ‘yellow card’ against Thailand’s seafood exports to the European Union was one of several wakeup calls to introduce long overdue reforms. Significant progress has since been made to regain trust and shed a notorious image of a sector steeped in flagrant regulatory and labour abuses, however, much more remains to be done to become a truly sustainable, legal and ethical sector.

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.

This report presents recommendations that are designed to address the gaps that continue to hinder Thailand’s effort to combat illegal fishing and human trafficking

Enabled by political commitment at senior levels, the RTG has introduced a new legislative framework and regulations for fisheries, established technology-assisted monitoring and inspection regimes and has further signed up to the first of several key international instruments that are required in the fight against IUU and human trafficking. While the Thai reform path has been positive, gaps and shortcomings persist. EJF is encouraged by the proposed measures to address IUU as discussed at the Royal Thai embassy in London in July, but additional, structural measures are absolutely crucial if the reforms are to be effective, successful and entrenched inthe long-term.