[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index
][Thread Index
]
Bangkok Post March 15, 1998. Anglin
- Subject: Bangkok Post March 15, 1998. Anglin
- From: burma@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 21:50:00
Bangkok Post March 15, 1998. Angling for an agreement
FISHING DISPUTE: Army chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro holds the key to the
Andaman Sea, where joint Thai-Burmese fishing ventures will resume if
talks between the two sides are successful.
SUPRADIT KANWANICH
Even today, Thai eyes do not exactly sparkle with pleasure when speaking
of matters Burmese. Apart from historical reasons, current headlines
spotlight the activities of illegal Burmese workers, unauthorised
logging and the like, as well as conflicts related to fishing. Army
Commander-in-Chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro is trying to reopen the
lucrative Thai fishing industry in Burmese waters. However, Gen Chettha
must deal with the long-running love-hate relationship between the two
countries. He must consider lessons from the past, but his minions may
be overwhelmed by today's cultural, political, and economic pressures
(see "Stormy Seas" on page 3).
Burmese waters are very attractive to Thai fishermen: 2,832 kilometres
of coastline, 486,000 square kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone and a
continental shelf measuring 228,781 square kilometres. Thai fishermen
say that they can triple their catch in Burmese waters compared with
Thai waters.
The reopening of joint fishery ventures between Burma and Thailand is
the key item in the agenda of forthcoming talks between Gen Chettha and
the officers of Burma's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
The general is well aware of many of the painful incidents that marred
the joint fishery ventures of the past, such as fishermen being
incarcerated for encroachment, businessmen jailed for breach of
contract, crewmen indicted for murder, stolen fishing trawlers,
confiscated boats and machinery, piracy, and seajacking.
His Burmese counterparts also have their own versions of these
experiences. However, the past is past, and a team of experts and
government officials in Gen Chettha's team have gathered much
information on the topic.
They have only one goal: to get the stagnant Thai fishing industry
moving once more.
Solutions for past pains: "First of all," Gen Chettha said, discussions
would consider "fundamental elements of justice and fairness."
"Any agreement has to be honoured by both parties so we can share in
long-lasting benefits . . . Profits will be fairly divided and there
will be negotiation on a government-to-goverment basis for better
control."
Gen Chettha said any violation should be considered an "individual or
personal offence" and punishment will be harsh.
Gen Boonsak Kamhaengrithirong, secretary-general of the National
Security Council, suggested that regulations for Thai and Burmese waters
and fishing procedures should be updated.
According to Wanchai Saengsuk-iam, chairman of the Thai Overseas
Fisheries Association (TOFA), Burmese waters are full of marine
resources. Many favour the revival of Thai-Burmese fishery ventures.
The term "fishing rights" refers to the fee that owners of Thai trawlers
must pay to Burmese authorities. This fee is for a permit; the amount is
based on a trawler's gross and the length of time fishing is permitted.
The payment of fishing rights requires control and supervision,
essential for lasting fishery ventures between the two countries.
Ranong Fisheries Association chairman Arun Thaveephan said demarcation
of the Thai and Burmese nautical border should be well-marked.
Several Thai trawlers have been captured in the overlapping zones off
Thai and Burmese shores.
"The governments of both countries should handle the joint fishery
ventures," Mr Arun said, "rather than allow broker companies who charge
a brokerage fee of up to 40,000 baht a month for each trawler to do
this."
He said the fishing rights should be paid in Thai currency and paid to
Burmese authorities through letters of credit.
"This will prevent poaching. Boat owners can afford to pay royalties in
Thai currency," he said.
Suggestions from a joint commission: At a recent meeting of the
Thai-Burma Joint Commission in Bangkok, Mrs Arphon Manasvanich, deputy
director of the Thai Foreign Ministry's East Asia Department, said,
"Burma has been informed that, in the event of joint ventures in
fisheries, Thai fishing companies should have large fishing fleets. Most
of Thai fishing trawlers are either medium or small."
She also recommended the reorganisation of the regulations pertaining to
Thai trawlers.
"The demarcation problem remains around Larm, Khan and Khi Nok islands
off Ranong," Mrs Arphon said.
Mr Thammarong Prakobboon, director-general of the Fisheries Department,
said that private groups want to enter into joint fishery agreements
with Burma. "I recommend that trawlers in the venture be registered in
Thailand.
"I also recommend that concession areas be clealy indicated. The crews
should be 20 percent Thai. I also recommend that Burmese permits be
honoured in either country."
Dr Plodprasop Suraswadi, secretary-general of the Agricultural Land
Reform Office and former fishery chief, suggested a new joint fishing
venture structure. His suggestions have been adopted by a company formed
by the Fish Marketing Organisation (FMO), which focuses on private and
government sectors.
However, the Border Fishery Coordinating Centre in Thai-Burmese Waters
(BFCC) reported that Burmese authorities charged concession fees in US
dollars. The negotiations to renew the joint fishery venture should be
made at government levels.
The report also mentioned that Burmese minorities demanded protection
fees from Thai fishing boats and trawlers.
Burmese authorities have divided concession areas into four regions (see
map):
1. The Tennesserim area: under the jurisdiction of the Southern region
military commander, to which the Burmese Fisheries Department has
granted permits to 200 fishing trawlers.
2. The Mon area: in the upper south of Burma.
3. The Rangoon or Irrawaddy region: in which the Burmese authorities do
not control the number of fishing trawlers.
4. The Arakan region: under the Northwestern region military commander,
in which 100 foreign fishing trawlers have been permitted five miles
offshore.
At the joint commission meeting, Mrs Suphis Bussayarath, a
representative of Thai fishing companies in Burma, said Burmese
authorities have softened their formerly strict stance on fishing
controls. However, they remain lax in the enforcement of the size of the
mesh in fishing nets.
"Fines have been decreased to US$3,000 for fishing outside permited
areas," she said, "and the fishing crews should have a maximum of five
Thais.
"Boats that have been screened by the BFCC may raise the Thai flag," she
added, impling that unauthorised boats raising the Thai flag may face
legal punishment.
Mrs Suphis raised the issues of financial loss incurred as a result of
the current exchange rates, such as when royalty fees have to be paid in
US dollars. She also underscored the threats of Burmese minorities, the
problem of falsified documents such as "seaman's books" (the ID booklet
that each crew member is required to carry), and how to control over 300
Thai fishing trawlers registered in both countries.
Working committee: Finally, a working committee to study joint
Thai-Burmese fishery ventures was set up with repesentatives from the
TOFA, fishing companies in Burma, the Thai Fisheries Department, the
BFCC, the Royal Thai Navy, the FMO and the Thai Foreign Ministry.
In two weeks, the committee will submit recommendations on the direction
of the fishery business in Burma to Gen Chettha and the Cabinet.
To ensure total coordination Thailand is to organise a central
organisation composed of the FMO, the TOFA and the Thai private sector.
This group will be the principal and sole agency involved in fishing
negotiations with Burma.
Thailand suggested that Burma set up a similar organisation.
Thailand agreed to provide cooperation and support in the development of
fishery technology. Thailand is also in favour of joint marine patrols
by Thai-Burmese naval forces, with regular contact and coordination.
Thai officials will prepare a manual for fishing in Burmese waters,
including "do's and don'ts" for Thai fishermen.
When joint fishery ventures between Burma and Thailand commence, the
Ranong Fisheries Association says that its members would rather pay
concessions fees in Thai currency than dollars, and they would like to
be able to trade their catch inside Burma.
The association said that Thai trawlers weighing less than 70 tons gross
(or those carrying up to 350 100-litre barrels) had been charged $8,500
for a one-year conncession fee at a rate of 55 baht to the dollar. This
is supposed to stop unofficial joint ventures.
They want the fee to be lowered, or to be charged at an exchange rate of
30 baht to the dollar.
Owners of about 150 small Thai fishing trawlers in Ranong are at their
wits end, their businesses almost in the red. They want authorities to
negotiate with Burmese authorities for a lower concession fee.
Border demarcation: Thai and Burmese authorities are equally concerned
about the demarcation disputes over a strip of 45 nautical miles near
Surin Island off Ranong, which in the past has been the source of
disputes between Burmese authorities and Thai fishermen.
Regulations must be fine-tuned to control fishing trawlers which go to
Ranong then into Burmese waters where illegal fishing occurs most often.
A report by the Thai Overseas Fisheries Association highlighted the
Burmese officials' sluggish handling of entry and exit documents of Thai
fishing trawlers and crewmen.
"When a number of boats must be checked by an insufficient number of
officials, and the procedures involve several Burmese authorities and
offices in various locations, the process becomes complicated," the
report said.
"When problems arise, officials wait for instructions from higher ups
for days before making decisions," it added.
The various regulations in Burma confuse trawler operators and owners.
Some have been charged with violating Burmese law. Others have been
stopped and their fishing nets confiscated.
Thai fishermen also complain of extortion by Burmese officials, whether
on land or in water. Inspection officers grab consumables, essentials,
and even money, wristwatches and gold ornaments from crewmen. Resisting
crewmen are physically assaulted, they say.
Suggestions from the fisheries department: The Fisheries Department has
proposed an expansion of the permitted fishing area. If violations
persist, it said, the penalty should be hefty fines, temporary
suspension of fishing or revocation of the fishing licence.
Loading and unloading of the marine catch to and from the trawlers and
the supply ships cannot be carried out until the Burmese authorities are
notified of the date and location, it said.
In addition, trawlers will have to notify Burmese authorities of their
entry into and exit from Burmese waters. Violators will be punished.
Thai and Burmese governments will be required to screen broker
companies, fishermen and businessmen.
----------------------------------------