Thailand, RI to talk on fishing deal

Thailand, RI to talk on fishing deal

Associated Press, Bangkok

Thailand and Indonesia began talks Monday on a proposed deal to regulate fishing by Thai trawlers in Indonesian waters, an official said.

The two-day talks, in the southern coastal city of Songkhla, are being attended by officials of the fisheries departments of the two countries, said Thai Fisheries Department deputy director-general Maitree Duangsawasdi.

A deal is expected to be signed on Tuesday, Maitree said.

The agreement, similar to one Indonesia recently concluded with the Philippines and China, seeks to stipulate the number of trawlers allowed to fish its waters, their license fees, the areas of catch and the types of fishing equipment used, he said.

For years, the Indonesian government had restricted the number of Thai fishing trawlers in its waters to 500. But the quota became redundant when Indonesia banned all foreign fishing vessels in December 1999.

Despite the ban, fishermen from several countries including South Korea, the Philippines, China and Thailand continued to operate in Indonesian waters illegally using boats flying the Indonesian flag.

When the deal is concluded Tuesday, Thai fishermen will become exempt from the ban. Thailand is hoping that it can negotiate a higher quota of trawlers than the original 500.

Maitree said almost 4,000 Thai trawlers are operating in Indonesia waters at present, albeit illegally. Indonesia had in the past repeatedly turned down Thailand's request for a higher fishing quota and a wider area for fishing.