Fishermen cheer return of dolphins after almost 10 years
JOY filled the air after fishermen in southern Chumphon province sighted a pod of over 30 dolphin not too far from the coast late yesterday (Oct 2, 2018) with this being the first time they showed up in almost 10 years, reflecting how healthy the environment has become, Thai News Agency reported today (Oct 3, 2018).
Some fishermen in Saphli subdistrict, Pathio district, said they had set off to check the traps they had placed in Saphli bay, and around 10 kilometers from the coast, they saw this pod of not less than 30 dolphins, both big and small, swimming around chasing fish.
One of them used his mobile phone to videotape the dolphins, as they had not seen them for almost 10 years.
Other fishermen on the coast were also very happy at the sighting of the dolphins because this indicated that Saphli bay is now healthy and rich, with lots of marine life residing in its waters after the ecosystem improved.
The big improvement came about from the government’s policy to rigorously oversee fishing boats, forbidding the catching of marine animals with illegal fishing traps which damage the ecosystem and aquatic life, and forbidding commercial fishing vessels from fishing near the coast.
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Top and below: Playful dolphins seen near Chumphon coast yesterday. Photos: Thai News Agency
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