Divers and national park officers plunged into the sea to remove fishing nets stuck on coral reefs in Thailand.

The clean-up was launched after pictures and footage of the nets emerged disrupting marine life in the Ao Niang resort in Trat province on January 29.

The videos show various hapless sea creatures entangled in webs of netting draped over the reefs.

Parit Narasaritkul, chief of the Hat Chao Mai National Park, rounded up staff from the Hat Chao Mai National Park, the local Marine National Park Operation Center, and diving enthusiasts to collect the harmful fishing gear left underwater.

Around 30 kilograms or 100 metres of nets were recovered.

It is believed they were set up by local fishermen around Koh Kradan island, but were dislodged by waves and caught on the corals during thunderstorms.

Parit said: 'To prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, we plan to educate local residents and enforce laws and regulations more strictly.'