Fishermen in Prachuap Khiri Khan have urged authorities to take action against clam dredgers for violating an agreement prohibiting fishing in protected areas.
More than 100 small-scale fishermen from tambon Sam Roi Yot went to the state-run Damrongtham Centre in Sam Roi Yot district of the southern province to lodge their petition on Saturday.
Yutthana Namphet, a leader of the group, said that trawlers with destructive fishing gear, particularly clam dredgers, had breached the agreement by illegally fishing in marine conservation areas.
He said that local fishermen had tried in vain to prevent the dredger operators from fishing in the area, but they ignored warnings.
As well, he said, the use of destructive fishing gear had caused damage to the tools and equipment of local fishermen.
None of the clam dredging operators had taken responsibility for the damage to marine resources or fishermen's property, he added.
He said his group had earlier lodged complaints with several agencies but no action had been taken.
Group member Daranee Hinlard said the operation of clam-dredging trawlers in protected areas had resulted in damage worth about 20,000 baht to her equipment.
Chaiyawut Khunathimakorn, the Sam Roi Yot assistant district chief, told the group that he would immediately call a meeting with all parties concerned to settle the problem.