Catch of the day: Surat Thani nets illegal fishing gear
Officials in Surat Thani have taken decisive action against illegal fishing activities, removing unlawful equipment from Ban Don Bay. Yesterday, October 15, Nattapol Sinpunpol, Deputy Director of the Naval Civil Affairs Department in Surat Thani, led a collaborative effort with multiple agencies to address the issue.
The operation involved officials from the Provincial Fisheries Office, the 6th Police Division, legal officers from the Naval Civil Affairs Department (Region 2), and other related personnel. They utilised an airboat to patrol the public areas of Ban Don Bay, focussing on the Phunphin district where illegal fishing activities were suspected.
During the inspection, officials discovered bamboo stakes outside the permitted sea farming zones. Some 20 bamboo stakes were dismantled as they were found to violate regulations. Additionally, seven winged fishing traps known as pong pang peek were found along the shore. The officials cut and removed these traps to prevent further illegal fishing.
In related news, police cast a wide net over illegal fishing activities in the Wat Yansangwararam reservoir in Chon Buri province, and it’s sink or swim for those breaking the rules. Despite clear signage banning fishing and the use of electric shock methods, some anglers just won’t let it ‘gill.’
Bang Lamung District Chief Weekit Manarojkit reeled in the message loud and clear on October 8: fishing in this protected conservation area will not go unpunished.
“Violators will face prosecution under the Fisheries Act.”
This comes after reports from September 26 revealed that some individuals, undeterred by the warnings, continued to cast their lines in the reservoir.
The Wat Yan Reservoir isn’t just a scenic spot, it plays a crucial role in alleviating droughts, controlling floods, supporting agriculture, and even boosting local tourism. But its growing fish population, thanks to local traditions of releasing fish, has made it a target for illegal anglers.
Some lawbreakers were even using electric shock methods, despite the risk of fines of up to 1 million baht.
