Fisheries Department Prepares to Close Central Gulf of Thailand to Protect Spawning Marine Life

The Fisheries Department is preparing to implement marine resource management measures for spawning and juvenile fish in the central Gulf of Thailand for 2026. The closure will be divided into two periods: February 15 to May 15, 2026, and May 16 to June 14, 2026. The goal is to restore economic marine resources, balance the marine ecosystem, and support sustainable fishing practices. The new announcement will maintain three management zones across two time periods. Management Zone 1 (February 15 to May 15, 2026) covers the area from the tip of Khao Mong Lai in Prachuap Khiri Khan to Don Sak district in Surat Thani, aimed at protecting parent fish and providing opportunities for reproduction and juvenile development. Zone 2 (May 16 to June 14, 2026) focuses on protecting juvenile fish, especially mackerel, allowing them to grow in coastal areas. Zone 3, running concurrently with Zone 2, covers the area from Khao Mong Lai to Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Scientific assessments have shown increased fish populations and catch rates following these conservation measures, demonstrating the effectiveness of the marine protection strategy.