Phi Phi Aquarium Boat Shut Down by Officials

[Jacob Maslow]

Phi Phi “aquarium boat” owner Nikom Ocha has been ordered to shut down his tour operations after being fined and charged with improper use of his boat.

Boat owner Nikom Ocha, whose boat is anchored inside Phi Phi national park, has been ordered to shut down his “aquarium boat”. Nikom’s boat had been converted to allow fish to swim into it, allowing guests to walk and swim with the fish. The boat owner has been charged 10,000 baht and the “aquarium boat” was ordered to shut down.

Nikom had been charged earlier in the week, but park officials are now ordering him to close his “aquarium boat” World Under Water.

The fine and investigation came after a post on Facebook complained of Nikom breaking the law. Concerned locals were worried that the boat’s activity would damage the local marine biology. Allegedly, the fish are lured into the hull of the boat with food. After the fish enter the hull, boat operators close the tank and allow guests to swim and walk with the fish. Once the trip is over, the fish are released back into Tonsai Bay.

The main issue, aside from endangering local marine life, was not with improper documentation, but inappropriate use of his boat. The boat’s license had not expired, all of the appropriate documentation was in order and there was no evidence that tourists had been feeding or catching the fish.

Nikom’s boat was licensed to operate as a ferrying vessel. Because the boat was permanently anchored in Phi Phi’s Tonsai Bay and tourists were allowed to look at the fish, it was not properly operating as a ferry. Nikom was fined 10,000 baht for improper use of his boat.

Nikom was ordered to shut down his “aquarium” service, which he agreed to do. He was also fined an additional 500 baht for operating his business for personal gain inside of a national park.

According to officials, Nikom Ocha can continue to use his boat as a ferry and there are no plans to ban him from park waters. However, officials warn that if Nikom returns to his fish pool business, the park will take him to court.

-- 2015-03-01

[Chicog]

This thing then.

[pitchag]

What a great idea he had, some one must be jealous of his success, no harm to the Marine park and no harm to the fish, no t money to the right people

[robblok]

What a great idea he had, some one must be jealous of his success, no harm to the Marine park and no harm to the fish, no t money to the right people

I am not so sure no harm to the fish.. they are trapped no way out so they could get cornered and damaged. Though these fish are the abundant sergeant major fish. But what happens if he will take some coral or endangered fish.

But so far not that much harm there are far worse things done.

[catweazle]

Instead of arresting the owners of the large fishing vessels destroying reefs and depleting marine life to a point of no return, the national park officials pick on a man with a unique business idea... Well done park rangers and officials - you certainly deserve the millions of Baht of national park fees you are putting in your own pockets every year!

[robblok]

Instead of arresting the owners of the large fishing vessels destroying reefs and depleting marine life to a point of no return, the national park officials pick on a man with a unique business idea... Well done park rangers and officials - you certainly deserve the millions of Baht of national park fees you are putting in your own pockets every year!

That is true actually. but the kickbacks from those vessels are too high to ignore.. welcome to Thailand.

[Mrjlh]

There are inherent dangers both ways. The fish could be trapped inside along with it's predator and no way to escape, not natural environment. More dangerous is to the unsuspecting tourists. Ever been in a tidal pool with a Lion Fish? or a poisonous snake? or even a Puffer Fish? A small child grabbing one. Easy situation for this to happen with this set up but I guess no one ever thought about that.

[steelepulse]

You can be sure the National Park people were getting a nice cut of the action. You've got to laugh at the 500 baht fine for operating for personal gain in a National Park.