The Department of Fisheries has announced the beginning of the annual rotational closing of the Gulf of Thailand to fishing until September.
The first part of the Gulf being closed to fishing is the Khao Mong Lai coast in Prachuab Khiri Khan to Don Sak district in Surat Thani from today till May 15.
Then from May 16 to June 14, Khao Ta Mong Lai to Hua Hin in Prachuab Khiri Khan province will be closed to fishing.
From June 15 to Aug 15, the closure will cover the western sea areas of Prachuab Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon province.
Lastly, from Aug 1 to Sept 30, the upper parts of the Gulf, starting from Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao and Chon Buri provinces, will be closed to fishing.
Bancha Sukkaew, chief of the Department of Fisheries, said the closures would allow marine life to replenish, ensuring the industry's health.
A department survey last year found mackerel catches along the Gulf reached 41,310 tonnes with a value of 3.3 billion baht, increasing by 5,602 tonnes or 16% from 2022.
Moreover, it found a majority of the fish that were caught were of mature size. The results confirmed the Gulf closure is the correct way to protect and preserve the marine life in the area.