Thailand: DMCR investigates Whale shark capture

Press Release

National News Bureau of Thailand

19. May 2018

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DMCR launches investigation into illegal shark whale hunt off Phuket

BANGKOK, 19 May 2018 (NNT) – The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) has launched investigation into the reported hunting for a shark whale off Phuket following the exposure of such illegal activity with photos and a video clip online.

DMCR Director-General Jatuporn Buruspat said the posting on Go-Eco Phuket Facebook page with photos and video showing a fishing boat off Phuket pulling up the shark whale on board has prompted the agency to investigate the incident.

The fishing boat shown online is named Saeng Samut 3. The online story shows the fishing boat ultimately released the shark back to the sea after being called upon to do so by people on board a tourist boat sailing by, but the shark whale was said to have already been dead after the release.

The DMCR chief said the officials can identify the fishing boat, which bears License Number 2283 04242. Initial investigation shows the boat was not fishing inside restricted areas during the time of the incident.

The DMCR has coordinated with the PIPO Center in Phuket to hold talk with boat captain and crew, who are considered violating the fishing act which prohibits taking onboard rare or close to extinction fish or mammals, as well as a violation to the wildlife protection law.

The DMCR chief said he has ordered local officials in Phuket to look out for the carcass of the shark whale, and that the department will prosecute those allegedly involved as shark whales are considered rare marine animals in Thai waters.

Related Video (uploaded by naewna on 18. May 2018):

 

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