The Royal Thai Navy launched new helicopter patrols to combat illegal fishing boats from Thailand and other countries.
Vice Adm. Surasak Metayapa initiated the land-and-sea inspections of the northern Gulf of Thailand Nov. 23, dispatching the Luang Naresaworn 421 and Patrol Boat 996 supporting a Seahawk helicopter.
Surasak said the Command Centre to Combat Illegal Fishing – established following a “yellow card” warning from the European Union over Thailand’s illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing industry, was taking a more-offensive stand to combat illegal trawlers.
He said several illegal boats were detected and investigated, but declined to reveal further information at this time.
