A video showing Thailand fishermen hauling dolphins went viral in the internet

News24xx.com - Thailand is working on leads to track down the boat captain and fishermen involved in hauling dolphins trapped in a fishing net, causing an uproar among netizens and marine scientists.

Newly appointed Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Varawut Silpa-archa said the video showed Thai-speaking fishermen transporting about 10 dolphins entangled in a fishing net to their fishing boat and later releasing them into the sea.

“We almost identified the culprits. We are discussing on the next course of action.

“We will track down those involved and action will be taken to hold them accountable,” he told, quoted from Bernama, on Monday July 15th 2019. 

A five-minute video clip posted online shows a herd of dolphins caught in a fishing net set for long-tail tuna while a Thai-speaking man ordered his crew to load the dolphins into their boat. However, the video does not mention where and when the incident took place.

The Port-in Port-out (Pipo) control centre in Pattani under the Fisheries Department has launched an investigation and the initial report claimed that the boat belongs to a Malaysian,

The Fisheries Department said the fishing boat, Sor Pornthep Nawee 9, sold to a Malaysian in June 2017, was operating in Malaysian waters. However, some reports claimed that the ownership of the boat changed recently.

Varawut said the dolphins might be trapped when following the boat to catch the tuna in the fishing net.

“The fishermen should free the dolphins in the water,” he said.

Therefore, Varawut said, the ministry and Fisheries Department would raise awareness of this marine mammal among local fishermen.

“The government needs to impose a stringent law to protect them,” he added.

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