Bangkok: Good news for the Thai fisheries sector: The US government, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has officially announced its certification of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) standards, indicating that all fishing gear has passed the standard, allowing all aquatic products to be exported.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Bancha Sukkaew, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, revealed that Thailand’s assessment of its inclusion on the List of Foreign Fisheries (LOFF) confirmed that its legal measures fully comply with the MMPA, guaranteeing that Thai aquatic products do not cause injury or death to marine mammals. Thailand is one of 89 countries out of 135 trading partners that meet all fishing gear criteria, enabling all Thai aquatic products to be exported to the United States.
Since 2017, Thailand has continuously provided operational information to the United States and has implemented various conservation measures. These measures include developing a national action plan for 2023-2027 for the conservation of marine mammals and amending Section 66 of the Fisheries Act B.E. 2558 to allow fishermen to help marine animals without violating the law. Additionally, 96 training sessions with over 5,500 participants have been organized to enhance knowledge on conservation and assistance for rare marine animals.
A trial of using a signal transmitter (Pinger) in fishing nets in the upper Gulf of Thailand and the eastern coast found that no marine animals were caught in the nets. The Director-General of the Department of Fisheries emphasized that the assessment results reflect Thailand’s commitment to responsible fishing practices, ensuring that marine mammals and the environment are not harmed. He also affirmed that Thailand will continue to promote conservation efforts in collaboration with all sectors to build confidence among trading partners that Thai aquatic products are safe and sustainable.
“Passing the MMPA criteria is not only a trade passport, but also evidence of Thailand’s commitment to maintaining the balance of the marine ecosystem,” said Mr. Bancha.