Gulf of Thailand sealed off from three-month fishing

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND, February 10 (TNA) - Thai authorities will seal off the Gulf of Thailand from fishing of all types during February 15-May 15, 2016 to conserve marine lives during their annual breeding and growing period. Wirat Tamnurasi, Deputy Governor of Prachup Khiri Khan Province in the Upper Thai South, presided over a ceremony to launch the annual marine lives conservation campaign on Wednesday, during which a large amount of marine species were released into the sea for their breeding during the period. Prachup Khiri Khan's Fishery Chief Manoon Tantikul told reporters, meanwhile, that the Department of Fisheries, under the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, will temporarily seal off the Gulf of Thailand from fishing of all types during the three-month period, covering the country's territorial offshores of a total area of about 26,400 square kilometres, from Prachup Khiri Khan down to Chumphon and Surat Thani Provinces, aimed to maintain natural balance and sustain marine lives in the areas, along with containing illegal fishing. Manoon noted that the amount of marine lives in the targeted areas increased by more than double during the same period last year, reflecting that the policy helps restore marine fertility, while also generating income for local fishermen and ensuring seafood supply for consumers. (TNA)