Order of the Department of Fisheries Re: The Setting Up of the Prevention and Combating IUU Fishery Division

Orders of the Department of Fisheries No. / 2559 Re: The Setting Up of the Prevention and Combating IUU Fishery Division As it stands, fisheries resources and marine fisheries environs have deteriorated as a result of overfishing. There has been evidence of a tremendous increase in the number of fishing vessels, fishers, as well as the application of modern technologies in fisheries against a backdrop of limited natural resources. This state of affairs has dramatically led to the problem of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU) in Thai waters. By virtue of the provisions under section 32 of the Public Administration Act, B.E. 2534 (A.D. 1991) with amendments, the Department of Fisheries has accordingly issued the following clauses in order to redress IUU fishing in a more unified, streamlined, speedy and efficient manner: 1. A Prevention and Combating IUU Fishery Division shall be founded within the Department of Fisheries, having the status of a division per se. 2. Functional structural organization This division shall be divided into 8 Sections as follows: 2.1 The General Administrative Section 2.2 The Anti-IUU Fishery Policy and Plan Section 2.3 The VMS Section 2.4 The MCS Plan Section 2.5 The PIPO and Inspection Section 2.6 The Remedy and Compensation Section 2.7 The Fishery Labor Section 2.8 The Traceability Section 3. Prevention and Combating IUU Fishery Division This division shall have the following responsibilities: (a) Study, analyze and synthesize fisheries in natural water sources; (b) Study and analyze a system designed for the provision of observers on board; (c) Determine strategies, work plans, methods, and measures suited to fisheries in natural water sources in accordance with fisheries conditions, areas, durations, the number of vessels, and types of fishing gear(s); (d) Develop comprehensive lists and databases related to IUU fishing systematically; (e) Coordinate with agencies concerned in order to develop plans for the monitoring, control, surveillance of IUU fishing; (f) Deliberate on requests to enter the Kingdom lodged by foreign-flag vessels so as to allow or deny access thereto with special reference to those engaged in IUU fishing; (g) Implement labour-related dimensions in fisheries enterprises in accordance with the relevant laws; (h) Implement measures to redress problems, and provide assistance to fishermen affected by the enforcement of the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries, B.E. 2558 (A.D. 2015), and orders issued by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO); (i) Monitor, evaluate and prepare reports on relevant situations and work for reference by agencies concerned; (j) Communicate and undertake public relations action pertaining to tasks, and activities related to IUU fishing across internal and external target groups, as well as develop operational handbooks for staff members and parties concerned; (k) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned, or as assigned. 4. Duties and Responsibilities of sub-entities under the Anti-IUU Division 4.1 The General Administrative Section The General Administrative Section shall have the following responsibilities: (a) General administrative work, correspondence, and document filing work; (b) Budgeting, finance and accounting, supplies; (e) Planning, projects, and personnel administration; (d) Provide counseling services pertaining to general administrative work; (e) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned, or as assigned. 4.2 Anti- IUU Fishery Policy and Plan Section The Anti-IUU Fishery Policy and Plan Section shall have the following responsibilities: (a) Develop fisheries resources management policy plans; (b) Develop action plans and budget lines for the implementation of the National Plan of Action to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU Fishing (NPOA-IUU); (c) Study, analyze and evaluate the implementation of the National IUU Plan of Action Plan (NPOA-IUU); (d) Study and analyze data on aquatic animals unloaded at fishing ports acquired from fishing logbooks; (f) Coordinate with parties concerned with respect to international affairs; (g) Monitor, evaluate and report the solving of IUU and situations pertaining to fisheries resources in natural water sources for managerial and administrative purposes; (h) Develop plans, handbooks and systems, as well as run training courses for observers on board fishing vessels; (i) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned, or as assigned. 4.3 VMS Section The VMS Section shall have the following responsibilities: (a) Develop the potential of VMS systems in order to enhance efficiency in the monitoring, control, surveillance of fishing vessels, such as the application of VMS systems and risk analysis; (b) Prepare and develop databases on fishing vessels equipped with VMS systems; (c) Control the implementation of fishing vessel monitoring, control, and surveillance based on VMS systems; (d) Implement monitoring, surveillance and analytical undertakings vis-à-vis fishing vessels based on data acquired from VMS systems; (e) Summarize and assess fishing vessels’ behavioral patterns, and offer analyses thereof to agencies concerned for the purposes of anti-IUU action; (f) Coordinate with, connect to, and provide support to parties concerned in the monitoring and surveillance of domestic and international fishing navigation for the purposes of anti-IUU causes; (g) Prepare reports on implementation, findings and recommendations pertaining to work, as well as coordinate with parties concerned for the implementation thereof with respect to relevant laws; (h) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned, or as assigned. 4.4 MCS Plan Section The MCS Plan Section shall have the following responsibilities: (a) Develop a national action plan for fisheries control, surveillance and inspection (NPCI); (b) Study, analyze, evaluate and prepare a report of data and statistics on fisheries control to be used in the monitoring, surveillance and inspection of fisheries situations; (c) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned, or as assigned. 4.5 PIPO and Inspection Section The PIPO and Inspection Section shall have the following responsibilities: (a) Study and analyze data, and develop a port in - port out system for fishing vessels; (b) Develop an operational port in – port out plan for fishing vessels; (c) Coordinate with agencies concerned in the implementation of work under port- in and port-out action plans; (d) Coordinate with agencies concerned in work pertaining to vessel registration, fishers’ work permits and relevant databases for verification purposes; (e) Develop a database on fishing vessels susceptible to engaged in IUU fishing domestically and internationally to be used as a reference point in the announcement of IUU vessel lists; (f) Prepare reports on implementation, findings and recommendations related to anti-IUU work; (g) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned with respect to IUU fishing; (h) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned, or as assigned. 4.6 Remedy and Compensation Section The Remedy and Compensation Section shall have the following responsibilities: (a) Study, analyze and undertake research in order to determine measures, criteria and work plans designed to extend assistance to fishermen (ชาวประมง) affected by fisheries resource management; (b) Determine criteria as well as verify and screen data on fishermen in order to ensure appropriateness in extending assistance in accordance with the measures and criteria specified; (c) Implement assistance undertakings, as well as monitor and evaluate results thereof; (d) Develop a database on plans designed to provide assistance to fishermen affected by the current state of affairs; (e) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned, or as assigned. 4.7 Fisheries Labour Group The Fisheries Labour Group shall have the following responsibilities: (a) Study and analyze data on fishers and develop plans and good labour practices in the fisheries industry as per the laws; (b) Issue identification documents for seamen pursuant to laws on navigation in Thai waters; (c) Grant permission to foreign nationals wishing to work on board fishing vessels in the Kingdom temporarily in accordance with the law(s) on immigration; (d) Function as the registrar authorized to perform duties pursuant to the laws on the working of foreign nationals in the authorization process vis-à-vis fishing vessels engaged in marine fisheries; (e) Develop a database on seamen, workers on board fishing vessels and workers in the fishing sector; (f) Coordinate with agencies concerned in order to enforce laws for the control of factories in industries related to aquatic animals; (g) Prepare reports, summarizing problems and obstacles for use by agencies concerned; (h) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned, or as assigned. 4.8 Traceability Section The Traceability Section shall have the following responsibilities: (a) Develop a traceability action plan throughout the production line, ranging from caught materials, importation, processing and products; (b) Control, supervise, and oversee undertakings in accordance with the traceability action plan; (c) Study, analyze and evaluate results of undertakings in accordance with the traceability action plan; (d) Inspect and evaluate the effectiveness of the internal audit system. (e) Coordinate aquatic animal quarantine and inspection undertakings at ports, fish inspection offices, and factories/processing plants; (f) Prepare reports and recommendations for agencies concerned; (g) Undertake action in conjunction with or in support of the functioning of agencies concerned, or as assigned. 5. Organizational structure and human resources The organizational structure and human resources of these new entities shall be as per the document(s) attached hereto. The provisions of these orders shall be immediately effective, and shall replace all the orders or instructions previously issued that are in contradiction thereto. Issued on …… of January, B.E. 2559 (A.D. 2016) ส ำเนำ