Thailand has committed to destroying more than 860 unregistered fishing boats, before the end of the year. The move comes as the Thai government tries to persuade the European Union to lift a "yellow-flag" warning on its fishing industry. That warning was issued three years ago over "poor practices" in Thailand's fishing sector. But while the government tries to regulate the industry, many fishermen have been forced back onto dry land, as Tony Cheng reports.

Washed up, in an estuary leading out to the gulf of Thailand. A team of government workers makes sure these fishing boats will never float again. It's part of a new pledge by the Thai government to clean up its fishing industry, as a sign of good faith to the European Union, who've given the industry a yellow flag.

Watching on is Sawong, owner of one of the boats being destroyed. He's a pillar of the fishing community in this bustling port. the biggest in Thailand. But while he recognizes the need to regulate the industry, he says the new controls imposed by the government are too much.

SAWONG CHUTICHAREON SAMUTSAKORN FISHERY ASSOCIATION "Fishermen across the industry can't take it anymore and about 40 or 50 % have just given up and left."

Thailand's fishing industry has a poor record. Slave labor on Thai boats and in processing plants, overfishing and poor management of the fishing fleet are some of the reasons the EU gave the industry a yellow flag in 2015. If downgraded to red, that could mean Thai exports are banned from the largest market in the world.

This fisheries patrol is one of a new raft of measures to regulate the industry and as they move down the estuary they pass huge trawlers grounded by the government. But the EU says this is not enough, they need to see an industry that is completely transparent.

PIRKKA TAPIOLA EU AMBASSADOR TO THAILAND "What you want to make sure is that you have a sustainable center which will bring benefit and profit for generations to come, and overfishing is a big problem."

Several European Ambassadors are taken out onto the harbor to see for themselves as the unregistered boats are pulled apart.

TONY CHENG SAMUT PRAKAN, THAILAND "The destruction of these fishing boats is now well underway, as a backhoe basically rips them to pieces. But these are 30-year-old fishing boats that we understand from the owners haven't been to sea for many years, so this is more for show, for the ambassadors that have come to see."

As the boats head back to shore it's clear Thailand is keen to be seen to be doing the right thing. But as more fishermen leave the industry, the price of compliance will be high. Tony Cheng, CGTN, Samut Prakarn on the gulf of Thailand.