BANGKOK, 12 February 2013 The Department of Fisheries has reported an almost 2.5-fold increase in marine life in the Gulf of Thailand after 3-month off-limits to fishing trawlers during egg-laying season last year.
Director-General of the Department of Fisheries Wimon Chanthararothai said from February to May every year some parts of the sea in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani are banned from fisheries in order to allow marine life to spawn, especially Pla Tuu or Scomber, which is the most popular genus of mackerels among Thais.
According to Mr Wimon, a survey on fish stocks in the Gulf of Thailand after the closing period last year shows that the prevalence of marine life increased by 2.34 fold compared to the month before the closure. As for pla tuu catches, the closing of the sea usually results in over 60,000 tons of catches in a year. The director-general said if the Scomber was allowed to grow further, the fish stock would be higher, creating good income for fishermen and providing sufficient fish for Thais to eat all year round.
This year the Department of Fisheries will declare the sea off Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani off limits to fishermen from 15 February – 15 May.
