SONGKHLA: Three Vietnamese trawlers were seized and 18 crew members arrested for illegally fishing in Thai waters off Songkhla on Monday after attempting to flee.
The undercover patrol vessel Poseidon and its marine protection fisheries protection team spotted the three boats fishing illegally in the southern part of the Gulf of Thailand on Monday morning.
Upon seeing the patrol team, crewmembers tried to cut their nets in a bid to flee, but failed. Patrol members managed to arrest all 18 Vietnamese crewmen and seize the three trawlers.
Authorities said the suspects confessed to illegal fishing in Thai waters, and said they had set sail from a pier in Ca Mau province of Vietnam.
The fishermen planned to transfer their catch onto a larger vessel, authorities said.
The skippers and crewmen were all taken ashore in Songkhla for legal action.
Vietnamese fishing trawlers are spotted fishing illegally in Thai waters. (Photo by Assawin Pakkawan)
All 18 crewmen from the three Vietnamese trawlers were arrested. (Photo by Assawin Pakkawan)