Got this email this morning :
Dear DOCT Members,
and
Khun Wan, Khun Sylvie, Khun Nathan, Khun Udom, Khun Nalinee and Khun Jipatha.
1. Over the weekend we were made aware, after receiving several e-mails, from concerned individuals that there was a website called
www.thaifishingguide,com which was promoting fishing trips in the Similans. Photograph of the week showed a tourist on a game fishing boat holding a leopard shark he had caught. Underneath the picture was the caption that this was caught in the Similans.
2. After visiting Patong, Phuket town offices and the main office in Chalong, I finally spoke to the owners of the company, Thai Fishing Guide. The owners are two Danish nationals Ronny and Michael.
3. I spoke to Ronny about his website, the photograph and the caption and informed him it was bringing him alot of negative publicity.
4. He informed me that they never fish in the Similan National Park and that particular shark was caught about 8 nautical miles from the Similans. He should have been more specific in writing the caption (not 'in the Similans, but near the Similans').
5. He also told me that their policy is 'Catch and Release', which is what happened to this particular shark.
6. He agreed to remove the photograph and the caption from his website as soon as possible in the next few days.
7. He also apologised for causing any discomfort to anybody, and now wishes to become a member of the DOCT! I have now set up a meeting with him for later in the week, concerning this matter.
Regards,
Alistair
President
DOCT.