A revised law of the Thailand government banning the use of fishing gear during the peak breeding season cannot be enforced due to strong opposition from commercial fisherfolk, stated Dhammarong Prakobboon, the country's fisheries department chief. Studies by the department indicate that a ban on the use of fishing gear helped increase fish stocks. "However, it was impossible to enforce the ban this year because commercial fisherfolk strongly opposed it,' said Prakobboon.

The revised law, issued in September 1999, bans push nets, giant cast nets, mackerel encircling gill nets and anchovy purse seine from the waters of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Surat Thani port cities for three months during fish breeding season