Rayong: During the vibrant monsoon season, local fishermen in Wang Kaew sub-district, Klaeng district, Rayong province, have ingeniously transformed a weather challenge into a lucrative venture. They are capitalizing on the influx of "tiger prawns" into Wang Kaew Bay, with onsite buyers purchasing the prawns for 250-280 baht per kilogram, leading to significant profits.
According to Thai News Agency, the monsoon period in Rayong provides a unique advantage for local fishermen, particularly those operating small fishing boats in Wang Kaew Bay. This year, the bay has witnessed an unprecedented presence of tiger prawns, prompting small-scale crab fishermen to shift their focus from crabs to prawns. This strategic change allows them to venture out to sea multiple times a day to catch the prawns, with traders eagerly waiting to purchase their catch at competitive prices, depending on the prawns' size. Some fishermen reportedly earn tens of thousands of baht each day.
Fishermen have noted that the monsoon season brings rough coastal conditions with strong winds and waves. However, this year has seen an unexpected surge in the number of tiger prawns in Wang Kaew Bay, significantly surpassing the catch from previous years. As a result, small fishing boats have temporarily paused crab netting and concentrated on prawn fishing. They make multiple trips daily, contingent on wave conditions and the volume of prawns available. Wang Kaew Bay stands out on the Rayong coast as a prime location for tiger prawns during the monsoon months (June-September), thanks to natural mountain shelters that protect against wind and waves. The stirring currents and waves during this season enrich the bay with sediment and marine life, creating an ideal feeding ground that attracts large schools of prawns. This year, the abundance is remarkably high.
Anon Wongyaem, the district chief of Klaeng, expressed that this annual event is a remarkable occurrence in Wang Kaew Bay, with the tiger prawns specifically choosing this spot in Rayong for feeding. This year, their numbers and size are extraordinary, marking a significant event for the local fishing community.