Southern Andaman Sea closed to fishing during spawning season

PHUKET: Large fishing vessels will be banned from working in the southern Andaman Sea from April 1 to June 30, it has been announced.

A total of 4,696 square kilometers from Phuket to Trang will be closed during the spawning season.

“According to our research, most marine life in the Andaman is breeding between April and June. This is a vulnerable time for the marine ecosystem, as many juveniles and breeding adults can be caught,” said Suchat Sangchan, director of the Andaman Sea Fisheries Research and Development Center Phuket office.

“Protecting young fish is essential, because it can help replenish fish stocks to later be harvested by the fishing industry and boost the quality of marine tourism in the region.”

Though larger fishing boats are banned, local fishers using local fishing equipment with nets that have meshing holes larger than 4.7cm wide are allowed to continue working.

“Operators in the fishing industry must obey this ban in order to help make our fisheries sustainable,” said Mr Suchat.

Any operators caught violating the ban can be fined up to 10,000 baht, receive a prison sentence of 1 year, or both.

— Kongleaphy Keam