Aquaculture farmers in Narathiwat want state assistance after tens of thousands of fish being raised in floating baskets died following the opening of a sluice gate to drain floodwater out to sea through the canal they use.
Sakareeya Jae-yi, one of the affected fish farmers in Khlong Khok Khian, said on Thursday that the opening of Bang Nara dam's sluice gate in the upper part of the Bang Nara River to drain floodwater had caused a rapid spoiling of the water downstream, where over 1,000 households raise fish - mostly economic species such as pla khapong (seabass) and pla khao (grouper).
He and his neighbours gathered on Narathat beach in Narathiwat's Muang district on Thursday to air their grievances. They said they would now be plunged into heavy debt.
Mr. Sakareeya said he raises fish in 12 floating baskets, each with 1,000 fish that had died. This would cause him to suffer a huge loss.
