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Fisheries Management Division

The Department of Fisheries is responsible for the development of the fisheries sector, including the conservation and rehabilitation of fisheries resources, the promotion of fisheries resource surveys, the collection of fisheries statistics and information, and the supervision of fisheries activities. In line with these responsibilities, the Fisheries Management Division conducts fisheries management measures for the sustainable utilization of marine fisheries resources, which include:

  • Supervision of fishing vessel licenses and registrations.
  • Licensing of fishing gears and vessel records.
  • Vessel marking according to fishing grounds.
  • Restrictions on the issuance of new fishing licenses.
  • Limits on the new construction of fishing vessels.
  • Implementation of closed seasons and closed areas.
  • Establishment of fish-protected areas.
  • Prohibition of certain fishing gear, methods, species, mesh sizes, and fishing days.
  • Issuance of Catch Certificates for marine capture products.
  • Monitoring of the check-in/check-out system, logbooks, and sailing orders.
  • Management of offshore fishing and carrier vessels through the VMS system.
  • Bottom of Form
  • Maintaining records of research in fisheries.

 

Conservation of Marine Fisheries Resources

In order to preserve fish resources within Myanmar's marine fisheries waters and ensure sustainable fishing practices, the Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Livestock and Irrigation, has been working on establishing closed fishing seasons and areas since 1993-94. Following stakeholder workshops and meetings from 2012-2013, all fishing areas within Myanmar's seas have been designated as no-fishing zones. This designation has allowed for a gradual reduction in fishing activities annually until 2017-2018. However, as of the 2018-2019 period to the present, a complete ban on fishing activities has been enforced for a three-month duration as part of the designated no-fishing season.

Preventing, deterring, and eliminating IUU Fishing in Myanmar: 

The Department of Fisheries collaborates with international and regional organizations to manage marine capture fisheries by applying international law and existing Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law. The Council of the European Union established regulations 1005/2008 and 1010/2009, creating a community system to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing. The European Commission initiated a program for a catch certification scheme to export fisheries products on January 1, 2010, and Myanmar was included in the list of flag state notifications since March 31, 2010. Following EU regulations 1005/2008 and 1010/2009, the Department of Fisheries has implemented the catch certification scheme to combat IUU fishing in line with EU regulations, assisted by an EU consultant.

The ASEAN Catch Documentation Scheme (eACDS) pilot program was initiated in 2018 at two landing sites: Ei Phyo Yadana Landing Site and Ngwe Pinle Landing Site in Yangon. The SEAFDEC eACDS team visited Myanmar three times during 2018 and 2019 to collect necessary information for the development of the eACDS application. Myanmar supports the promotion of the eACDS application to combat IUU fishing and enhance intra-regional and international trade in fish and fishery products. Additionally, it will develop information sharing within the region as well as internationally to combat IUU fishing and illegal trade.

                                                               

Monitoring and inspection of the fishing vessel monitoring and control system (Vessel Monitoring System):

The installation of the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) commenced in 2019, coinciding with the start of the 2019-2020 fishing season. Installation began on September 1st, and by January 31st, 2020, all carrier vessels engaged in offshore fishing were equipped with VMS equipment. Furthermore, offshore fishing vessels operating within Myanmar's marine waters have been monitored by the VMS Control Center in Naypyitaw, under the Department of Fisheries (Headquarters), with additional oversight provided by five VMS Sub-Control Centers situated in coastal regions/states.

                                                               

Issuance of a catch certificate to certify that aquatic products are legally obtained from Myanmar:

Since April 1st, 2010, the Department of Fisheries has undertaken the issuance of Catch Certificates in compliance with regulations stipulated by the European Union for preventing of illegal fishing products to the supply chain. Commencing September 1st, 2016, Catch Certificates have been issued for aquatic products exported from the Tanintharyi Region to Thailand. 

 

Designation of weather shelter area for offshore/inshore fishing vessels

The Department of Fisheries annually publishes the designation of weather shelters for local and foreign offshore fishing vessels, as well as inshore fishing vessels, engaged in fishing in Myanmar's sea fisheries waters. This ensures that fishing vessels and fishermen can safely stay on islands during bad monsoon weather.