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Navy ponders easing coastal fishing ban off Phuket
The Phuket News


The Third Area Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Centre (MECC) is considering easing the ban on coastal fishing by large vessels. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- The Third Area Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Centre (MECC), operating under the command of the Royal Thai Navy, is considering allowing large boats to fish in specified coastal areas as part of a reprieve on the ban on coastal fishing by large vessels.

The ban, which came into force in April, restricts fishing vessels weighing 10 or more gross tonnes from operating within three nautical miles from the coast and 1.5nm from islands. The restriction is part of government measures aimed at curbing overfishing as well as clamping down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices.

Vice Admiral Sayan Prasongsomrit, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) Third Area Command, announced the news at a meeting with fisheries officials and operators at the RTN’s Third Area Command naval base at Cape Panwa, on Phuket’s east coast, yesterday (June 6).

Present at the meeting were Phuket Vice Governor Chokdee Amornwat, as well as representatives from fisheries associations and fisheries operators from Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces, all along the Andaman coast.

“Since the announcement of the ban, the Third Area MECC has received many complaints from fisheries operators and local fishermen, especially those linked to commercial fishing, saying that their livelihoods have been affected by this new rule,” V/Adm Sayan said.

“Most vessels used for day fishing of anchovies and fishing for crabs are unable to enter the protected areas and for the past months the centre has been trying to solve this problems in each (Andaman) province,” he added.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/navy-ponders-easing-coastal-fishing-ban-off-phuket-57763.php

-- Phuket News 2016-06-07

[Jimi007]

“Since the announcement of the ban, the Third Area MECC has received many complaints from fisheries operators and local fishermen, especially those linked to commercial fishing, saying that their livelihoods have been affected by this new rule,” V/Adm Sayan said.

One step forward, two steps back. The coral and the local fishery is distressed from over fishing, coral bleaching, nets snagged on coral reefs. Too much pollution from too much tourism and lack of care for the ecosystem. No problem, just keep raping the environment and make sure everyone's livelihood in Phuket is affected for the worse. Greed on every level.

It's amazing that once they turned Monterey Bay California, where I live part of the year, into a marine sanctuary. It's abundant with sea life after about 10 years of banning over fishing, jet skis and other activities that harm sea life in the area. Now there is a lot of tourism to see all the whales and dolphins. They can be seen from the shore as well as whale watching tour boats. It's very sad that Thais are so proud of their country, yet trash it so badly...

[sanukjim]

With the fishing ban in The Navy are missing a lot of their bribes for illegal catches and many of these sailors has car payments due on their Mercedes.

[tuanku]

Ban protects fish stocks and prevents over-fishing and IUU fishing - yep clearly unnecessary, who needs it?

And who gave the Navy the right to decide on this? Isn't there a Ministry of something in charge?

Edited June 7, 2016 by tuanku

[Srikcir]

The overwhelming amount of new envelopes evidence shows that current fish stocks can be fished.