Andaman Sea. (Map: Stock File)

Andaman Sea fishing banned to protect marine species

THAILAND
Thursday, March 23, 2017, 20:20 (GMT + 9)

The Department of Fisheries announced that a fishing ban is to be set in the Andaman Sea off four southern coastal provinces for three months starting April 1.

The aim of the measure is to allow fish to spawn and marine resources to recover.

As a result of the measure, a total area of 4,696 square kilometers will be closed for commercial fishing activities, Samui Times Online Newspaper reported.

Fishery Department director-general Wimon Chanthararothai explained that the fishing ban would coincide with the fish spawning season, especially in the case of mackerel as well as other marine species.

The director also stressed that due to overfishing, certain kinds of fish are being depleted in the area.

Statistics of catches conducted by the fishing survey vessel showed that before the enforcement of the three-month fishing ban, the amount of catches per hour was registered at 276.76 kilogrammes. But after the ban, the amount of catches has climbed up to 722.21 kilogrammes per hour.

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