Inspections stepped up at Kata Beach after tourists seen spearing protected parrotfish
Authorities are increasing inspections at Phuket's Kata Beach after tourists were seen spearing protected parrotfish and displaying the catch onshore.
Inspections have been increased at Kata Beach in Phuket after a group of Chinese tourists was seen illegally spearfishing for protected parrotfish.
Officials from Marine and Coastal Resources Office 10 and other agencies inspected the beach in tambon Karon, Muang district, on Sunday evening after widely shared online posts showed the offenders with their catch.
The incident happened south of Phuket Ska Bar on Saturday. The bar owner said the spearfishermen, who appeared to be Chinese nationals, were seen about 8pm diving and spearing parrotfish off the rocky shoreline.
They later displayed the fish on the beach, drawing other tourists who took photos and posted them online. The bar owner said he warned the fishermen, but they ignored him.
No further details about the spearfishers were known, and they had not been seen since, according to the report.
Officials have been speaking with local businesses, shop owners and tourists to explain the law protecting parrotfish. They said warning signs would be installed in the area and inspections would become more frequent to prevent a repeat.
Parrotfish, classified under the family Scaridae, are coral eaters and are on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's list of protected species. Their capture or possession is prohibited, and violators may face up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht.
The report noted that in 2022 a Dutch tourist was arrested in Phuket for illegally catching parrotfish in the waters of Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park in Krabi after a TikTok video of him spearfishing triggered public outrage.
