Gulf of Thailand to be closed for 3 months

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Feb 13 (TNA) – The Thai Department of Fisheries announced a three-month closure of part of the Gulf of Thailand in a bid to conserve fish stocks during the spawning season. Manop Noosorn, acting chief of the provincial fisheries office, said 26,400 square meters of the Gulf of Thailand in the waters off Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, and Surat Thani will be closed from Feb 15 to May 15, according to the department’s announcement. Mr Manop said some fishing gears and equipment will be banned during the said period in order to prevent adverse effects on the reproduction of marine animals, particularly short-bodied mackerels, in the gulf. The short-bodied mackerels are economically important for Thailand. Mr Manop added that the provincial marine office, the marine police, and relevant units will be asked to lend their helping hands with the gulf conservation. Those who have violated the rules will face strict legal actions, he noted. (TNA)