In response to global concerns on global-wide IUU fishing which undermines the conservation and management measures adopted by fisheries organizations, the Department of Fisheries, Thailand has established, under the provisions of new Fisheries law, measures of Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) applied to the Thai-flagged oversea fishing vessels. This aims to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing of Thai-flagged fishing vessels operating outside Thai waters, both in waters of coastal states and high sea.

Thailands MCS system is moving towards the approach with rules based, behavior based and risk based principles. Various tools and systems are developed and improved for effective control and inspection. The Fisheries Monitoring Control (FMC), including Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is the key tool for monitoring of these vessels fishing operation at sea. According to the new fisheries law, fishing vessels greater than 30 Gross tonnage have been installed with VMS equipment. Port in and port out control scheme has been implemented by 31 Port in, Port out (PIPO) Centers along the coastlines. All fishing vessels must be inspected the vessels physical conditions, fishing gears, and other required documents (e.g., vessel registration, fishing license, fishing log-book, etc.) before permission for porting out and porting in. With the inspection and control, Fishing Information System, an integrated database system of fishing vessels, gears, and crew, has been in place and upgraded. We have strengthened inspections of fishery products during landing at port and offloading. Another crucial tool for the success of MCS activities is the availability of observer on board. As specified by fisheries law, observers on board are required for fishing vessels and carriers operating outside Thai waters. For ensuring the traceability of catch, we are upgrading the catch certification scheme and strengthening the traceability document requirements. Thailand strengthens cooperation with coastal states, port states as well as international and regional organizations and RFMOs on combating IUU fishing.

All involved state agencies have coordinated the efforts in fighting against IUU fishing of Thai-flagged fishing vessels. Completely 100% of Thai-Flagged fishing vessels operating inside and outside Thai waters are rigorously controlled, monitored and inspected, and additionally law enforcement are toughen and beefed up. The expected goal is no more IUU fishing in Thai fishing fleet.