Chumporn – The Fisheries Department has announced the central area of the Gulf of Thailand will be closed until May, affecting Prachuap Kiri Kan, Chumporn and Surat Thani, to allow for a regeneration of marine life.
The announcement was issued by Assistant to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Niwat Suthimeechaikul, at a ceremony in Chumporn province. The closure is to last from February 15 to May 15 and is an annual recognition of essential marine life breeding, egg-laying and rearing in the Gulf of Thailand. The closure limits the types of fishing equipment that can be used in the central area of the Gulf, covering a 27,000 square kilometer zone.
Violation of the closure can incur fines from 5,000 to 30 million baht depending on the type of fishing equipment used and the value of marine life affected. Large hauls may result in criminal charges.
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