Phi Phi divers remove illegal net near reef wreck

Park officers and volunteer divers have removed an illegally discarded fishing net more than 60 metres long from waters near Koh Phi Phi Leh in Krabi, freeing marine animals that were still alive in its mesh.

The net was found close to the wreck of HTMS Kled Kaew, which was sunk as an artificial coral site and is also a deep-diving location. Images released on 12 August showed dead fish, shrimp and crabs caught in the gear, alongside animals that were still alive.

The operation was carried out by the underwater team of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park and volunteer divers.

Marine life freed from abandoned gear

Divers cut free and released the surviving animals before recovering the net from the sea, according to Saengsuree Songthong, the park chief.

The team had initially entered the water to carry out an underwater rubbish collection activity for National Mother's Day on 12 August. Instead, they found what officials believe was fishing gear left behind by a boat that had entered the protected area illegally.

Saengsuree said abandoned nets and other fishing equipment pose a threat to all marine life. Such gear can continue trapping animals after it has been lost or deliberately left in the sea, a problem commonly known as ghost fishing.

The park has been conducting patrols and enforcement operations to deter illegal fishing, he said, but those involved often enter restricted waters when officers are out of sight. Discarded fishing tools are regularly found around coral areas, according to the park chief.

What this means for Phi Phi visitors

For foreign residents, divers and holidaymakers, the case highlights the pressure on marine sites around the Phi Phi islands, where reef and wreck dives are a major draw.

Visitors should not assume that diving or snorkelling sites are free of hazards from abandoned fishing gear. Divers who spot nets, lines or traps should avoid trying to remove large items without suitable training and equipment, and report their location to park staff or dive operators.

The national park has appealed for fishing to stop in protected zones, saying the activity directly damages the ecosystem and undermines the long-term use of natural resources.

Saengsuree said anyone caught illegally fishing within the national park would face firm legal action.

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

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14 August 2026