Fisheries Dept to tackle water quality and contamination

Khaosod•Society•8m ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Fisheries is coordinating with other agencies to address water contamination and provide remedies for affected fishers.

•The Department of Fisheries will meet with the Pollution Control Department and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources on November 23, 2026.
•Heavy metals exceeding standards were found in some aquatic animals from the Kok River and Mekong River.
•Low dissolved oxygen levels were detected in the Prachinburi-Bang Pakong River and some areas of the Inner Gulf of Thailand.
•The Department of Fisheries is surveying damages to aquaculture farmers and fishers to provide financial aid.

•Watcharapol Khaokham, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, ordered the Department of Fisheries to monitor water quality and communicate facts to the public.
•Aquatic animals from the Kok River and Mekong River were found to have heavy metals exceeding standard criteria.
•19 samples of aquatic animals from the Prachinburi-Bang Pakong River met standard criteria, though low dissolved oxygen was found in some spots.
•Abnormal aquatic animal deaths occurred in some areas of the Inner Gulf of Thailand, with preliminary results showing low dissolved oxygen.
•The Department of Fisheries will consult with the Pollution Control Department and the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources on November 23, 2026.
•Provincial Fisheries Offices will survey impacts on aquaculture farmers and fishers to determine assistance according to relevant criteria.
•Pinsak Suraswadi suggested promoting land-pond aquaculture or appropriate systems to reduce farmers' direct reliance on natural water sources.

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Pinsak Suraswadi

"The Department of Fisheries prioritizes both consumer safety and the occupational security of farmers and fishers."

กรมประมง ให้ความสำคัญทั้งความปลอดภัยของผู้บริโภค และความมั่นคงในการประกอบอาชีพของเกษตรกร และชาวประมง

Department of Fisheries(กรมประมง)

The agency responsible for monitoring water quality, aquatic animal contamination, and assisting affected fishers.

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)

The ministry overseeing the Department of Fisheries.

Pollution Control Department(กรมควบคุมมลพิษ)ℹ️

An agency scheduled to discuss water quality and environmental data with the Department of Fisheries.

Department of Marine and Coastal Resources(กรมทรัพยากรทางทะเลและชายฝั่ง)

An agency scheduled to discuss water quality and environmental data with the Department of Fisheries.

Provincial Fisheries Office(สำนักงานประมงจังหวัด)

The offices tasked with surveying impacts and damages to aquaculture farmers and fishers.

Pinsak Suraswadi(นายปิ่นสักก์ สุรัสวดี)

The Director-General of the Department of Fisheries.

Watcharapol Khaokham(นายวัชระพล ขาวขำ)

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives who oversees the Department of Fisheries.

Kok River(แม่น้ำกก)ℹ️

A water source where aquatic animals were found to have heavy metals exceeding standards.

Mekong River(แม่น้ำโขง)ℹ️

A water source where aquatic animals were found to have heavy metals exceeding standards.

Prachinburi-Bang Pakong River(แม่น้ำปราจีนบุรี–บางปะกง)

A water source where 19 aquatic animal samples met standard criteria but low dissolved oxygen was found in some areas.

Inner Gulf of Thailand(อ่าวไทยตอนใน)

An area where aquatic animals died abnormally due to low dissolved oxygen.