NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Thailand – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has ordered the urgent removal of a massive fishing net discovered entangled over coral reefs around the Kra Islands in Nakhon Si Thammarat to prevent further damage to marine ecosystems and rescue trapped marine life. The drifting net was discovered during a biodiversity and environmental survey around Ko Kra Lek and Ko Kra Klang on June 8-9. Officials found the net covering coral reefs at multiple sites and immediately cut sections of the net to free surviving marine animals and reduce further damage.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin instructed the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to expedite the removal operation and coordinate with relevant agencies to protect the affected marine environment. The mission involved 25 personnel from government agencies, volunteer organizations, and diving teams. The team successfully removed the entire net, which had a mesh size of 10 centimeters, measured about 800 meters in length, and weighed more than 1.2 metric tons. The operation helped reduce marine debris, lowered the risk of additional ecosystem damage, and rescued grouper and numerous other marine species trapped in the net. (NNT)
