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Mid-Gulf of Thailand Closure 2569: Protecting Fish Stocks and Ecosystems

Mid-Gulf of Thailand Closure 2569: Protecting Fish Stocks and Ecosystems

Prachachat•Economy•61d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Fisheries is implementing a mid-Gulf of Thailand closure from February 15 to May 15, 2567 (2024) and May 16 to June 14, 2567 (2024) to protect crucial spawning grounds and marine ecosystems, particularly for economically important fish species.

  • •The Department of Fisheries announces the annual closure of a portion of the mid-Gulf of Thailand for 2567 B.E. (2024).
  • •The closure aims to protect spawning fish, egg development, and larval rearing for economically valuable species.
  • •The measures are divided into three zones with specific timeframes to optimize protection for different life stages of marine life, especially mackerel.
  • •The Department highlights the success of previous closures in enhancing fish populations and fishing yields.
  • •The initiative aligns with the 'Fisheries Connect for Sustainability' policy for long-term marine resource health and fishing community livelihood.

Overview

  • •The Department of Fisheries is preparing to announce the annual management measures for aquatic animals with eggs, spawning, and larval rearing for the mid-Gulf of Thailand in 2567 B.E. (2024).
  • •The mid-Gulf of Thailand is a critical area for the spawning and propagation of various economically valuable fish species, prompting long-term management measures.
  • •The closure is implemented in order to protect spawning fish, eggs, and larvae to restore marine ecosystem balance and support sustainable fishing.
  • •The Department of Fisheries will enforce three management zones with specific dates: Zone 1 (Feb 15 - May 15, 2567/2024), Zone 2 (May 16 - June 14, 2567/2024), and Zone 3 (same period as Zone 2) to protect breeding stock and young fish.
  • •The measures aim to allow parent fish to reproduce and lay eggs, and young fish to grow and develop, ensuring the sustainability of fisheries and the marine ecosystem.
  • •Scientific assessments have shown that during previous closure periods, mackerel were larger than the size of first reproduction, indicating readiness for spawning.
  • •Fishing catch rates (CPUE) for allowable fishing gear, such as fish purse seine nets powered by generators, increased significantly after previous closure periods (e.g., from 1,843 kg/day to 3,339 kg/day).
  • •The Department of Fisheries expresses gratitude to all fishermen for their cooperation, emphasizing continued collaboration with all stakeholders to conserve and restore marine resources.

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Key Quotes

Thitiporn Laoprasert
"“The mid-Gulf of Thailand is an important area where the Department of Fisheries has long implemented measures to manage aquatic animals with eggs, spawning, and larval rearing, or the 'Bay Closure' measures."
“อ่าวไทยตอนกลาง” เป็นพื้นที่สำคัญที่กรมประมงได้มีการประกาศใช้มาตรการบริหารจัดการทรัพยากรสัตว์น้ำมีไข่ วางไข่ เลี้ยงตัวอ่อน หรือมาตรการปิดอ่าวมาอย่างยาวนาน

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Fisheries(กรมประมง)ℹ️
The Thai government agency responsible for the management, conservation, and development of fisheries.

Person

Thitiporn Laoprasert(นางฐิติพร หลาวประเสริฐ)
Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, who announced the annual bay closure measures.

Place

Mid-Gulf of Thailand(อ่าวไทยตอนกลาง)ℹ️
The crucial marine area where the Department of Fisheries implements annual closure measures to protect spawning fish and ecosystems.
Prachuap Khiri Khan(ประจวบคีรีขันธ์)ℹ️
A province in Thailand partially covered by the mid-Gulf of Thailand closure measures.
Chumphon(ชุมพร)ℹ️
A province in Thailand partially covered by the mid-Gulf of Thailand closure measures.
Surat Thani(สุราษฎร์ธานี)ℹ️
A province in Thailand partially covered by the mid-Gulf of Thailand closure measures.

Policy

Bay Closure Measures(มาตรการปิดอ่าว)
The annual management measures implemented by the Department of Fisheries in the mid-Gulf of Thailand to protect aquatic animals during their spawning seasons.
Fisheries Connect for Sustainability
The policy under which the Department of Fisheries aims to conserve and restore marine resources for long-term sustainability and the well-being of fishing communities.