Thai government protects depleting marine fish

BANGKOK, July 2 (TNA) - The Thai government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, is likely to soon impose a ban against the fishing of small mackerel catches and other kinds of marine fish in order to protect them from a feared depletion. Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach told journalists on Tuesday that he has instructed his ministry's Department of Fisheries to expedite a study within seven days on a most appropriate solution to the problem of depleting fish in the Thai sea. Grisada stated that the study will cover the pro and con of such the ban against the fishing of small mackerel catches and other kinds of marine fish in the Thai sea. "I'm considering to impose the ban against the fishing of small marine fish catches, including mackerel, sized less than 14 centimeters each in the Thai sea, based on Article 57 of the Thai Fishery Decree B.E.2558. I'll impose the ban if the study, being conducted by the Department of Fisheries, finds no serious negative impacts from the ban on local fishermen and their living", said the minister. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' move is in an urgent response to media reports that marine fish catches in the Thai sea, especially mackerel, have been depleting due to the rising market demand for small fish for people's tasty dishes. (TNA)