The Royal Thai Navy out of Sattahip Naval Base arrested operators of five fishing boats found to be using illegal equipment near Hua Hin.
Navy Area 1 Command patrol boats 610 and 224 surrounded and boarded the suspect vessels about 55 nautical miles off Prachuap Khiri Khan Province around 2:30 a.m. Oct. 21.
The Chokwanna 79, Duangchareon 899, Duangchareon 1194, Weerasiri 11 and Weerasiri 21 – with 261 total crew members – allegedly were using illegal nets in violation with new fishing regulation imposed this summer to bring Thailand in line with “illegal, unreported and unregistered” fishing standards of the European Union.
Navy officials said the boat seizures came after complaints from fishing boats complying with the new rules.
The Royal Thai Navy tows ashore one of the five fishing boats accused of using illegal equipment near Hua Hin.
