The Department of Fisheries has announced the closure of commercial fishing in the U-shape innermost area of the Upper Gulf of Thailand for two months to allow marine life to recover. The closure started on June 1st and will continue until July 31st. Fishing is now banned in this area during the two month closure period. The two-month closure decision was reached during a meeting between the Department of Fisheries and fishermen’s representatives on April 3rd. It will be first year to implement the agreement which will be continued for three years.
The fishing ban in the 4,940 square kilometre area of the Upper Gulf came after growing concern by the Department of Fisheries about the extent of fishing in the area with fishermen using high efficient fishing gear, modification of fishing equipment and illegal fishing nets; threatening young marine life. The inner most of the Upper Gulf has an inverted U-shape and is the catchment basin of five major rivers; the Bang Pakong, Chao Phraya, Tha Chin, Mae Klong and Phetburi. The U-shape area covers large areas of eight provinces; Prachuab Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Samut Songkram, Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, Samut Prakarn, Chachoengsao and Chonburi.
