About 200,000 of fingerlings have been distributed to farmers in Buthidaung and Maungtaw township in the 2016-2017 fiscal year as it expands two aquaculture farms in two townships, according to the Maungtaw District Fisheries Department.
When the first hatchery in Buthidaung was opened in 2013- 2014 and in Maungtaw in 2015- 2016, there were about 100 acres of fish farms in Maungtaw District.
The number of fish farms has today reached about 400 acres, with 100 farmers.
“We are making efforts for development of fish farming in Mauntdaw District as the population is increasing and fish resources from the sea are declining,” said U Naing Win Thein, Deputy Director of the Maungtaw District Fisheries Department.
The department has planned to establish fin ponds in 96 villages in Maungtaw District and will assist the farmers to get low-interest loans from banks.
Some of the 15,000 acres of prawn ponds in Mauntdaw District are also converting to fish farming as a pilot business.
The deputy director also called for authorities to control sea fishing in the non-fishing season as part of an effort to prevent declining fish resources in the sea.
The coastal area was not accustomed to consuming fish from ponds, and fish farming was not popular in the area.
“The fish from farms in Yangon are expensive in Rakhine. It shows that fish production is not sufficient even for domestic consumption. So, we are making efforts for expanding fish farming in Rakhine,” said U Naing Win Thein.
Source: Global New Light of Myanmar
