Myanmar’s fisheries resources in its territorial waters have declined compared with previous decades, according to the latest survey performed by the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development with the assistance of Norwegian government.
With the use of a marine research vessel, the ministry and relevant organizations conducted a 55-day survey along the country’s water territory from 25 April to 18 June last year, observing the density of fisheries resources and its lifestyle, breeding season and birthplaces, situation of coral reefs and nutrient levels in the water.
The major objective of the programme is to collect salt water ecology-related data to calculate and estimate the number of fish caught per year that plays an important part in conserving fisheries resources.
This is the fourth time the ministry has performed the survey since 1979. The latest survey shows that groups of fish above water has declined from 10 million tons to 110,000 tons, while the groups of fish underwater has decreased from 750,000 tons to 280,000 tons.
According to the research, fishing areas located in north-east of Ayeyawady Region has been recognized as nursery grounds and nursery regions of fish as there are numerous larva of different fish species.
During the field trip, the research team founded many coral reefs which were badly damaged in some fishing areas of Taninthayi Region.
“Developing of illegal fish farming with the use of inappropriate methods, climate change and decreasing of mangroves have led to the decline of fisheries resources,” said Deputy Minister U Khin Maung Aye who urged people to promote participation in sustainable management of fisheries resources and biodiversity conservation activities.
Source: Global New Light of Myanmar
