Check for protected shark meat in Karon restaurant

Officers from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), Area 9 Phuket Office, visited a Karon restaurant after a picture of them selling shark meat went viral on social media.

The team went to the restaurant on November 19 but couldn’t find sharks being sold as shown in the picture. The shop owner, Narongchai Thanataweesakul, told the investigating team that the photo was taken two years ago.

Check for protected shark meat in Karon restaurant
He apologised, saying that the leopard shark was really at the shop but he didn’t know about the law back then. He said he bought it from someone who traded in wholesale fish but assured officials that there had been no more since.

Check for protected shark meat in Karon restaurant
Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, deputy dean of the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, was asked to comment on the shark photos.

Check for protected shark meat in Karon restaurant
“The problem about trading shark meat, especially rare sharks such as leopard sharks, hammerhead sharks and bull sharks, is that it’s a never-ending topic,” Thon said.
“The only hope is that the DMCR moves to concretely protect the species. The Cabinet has approved listing the sharks as protected animals, and the law should be announced soon.
“Getting people to change their attitudes about fishing for, and eating, these protected species will take a lot of time – especially with those who have enjoyed eating them in the past.”