Stock enhancement activities in the Union of Myanmar

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Authors Win, Kyaw Myo

Publisher Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center

Download date 25/09/2021 20:31:29

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/40487 Stock enhancement activities in the Union of Myanmar Win, Kyaw Myo Date published: 2006

To cite this document : Win, K. M. (2006). Stock enhancement activities in the Union of Myanmar. In J. H. Primavera, E. T. Quinitio, & M. R. R. Eguia (Eds.), Proceedings of the Regional Technical Consultation on Stock Enhancement for Threatened of International Concern, Iloilo City, Philippines, 13-15 July 2005 (pp. 117-120). Tigbauan, Iloilo, Philippines: Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center.

To link to this document : http://hdl.handle.net/10862/2940

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Follow us on: Facebook | Twitter | Google Plus | Instagram Library & Data Banking Services Section | Training & Information Division Aquaculture Department | Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Tigbauan, Iloilo 5021 Philippines | Tel: (63-33) 330 7088, (63-33) 330 7000 loc 1340 | Fax: (63-33) 330 7088 Website: www.seafdec.org.ph | Email: [email protected] Copyright © 2011-2015 SEAFDEC Aquaculture Department. Stock Enhancement Activities in the Union of Myanmar

Kyaw Myo Win

Department of Fisheries, Sinmin Road Ahlone Township, Yangon, Union of Myanmar

Introduction Exploitation of endangered species is strictly prohibited hence, there are no The geography of the Union of Myanmar recorded catches for these species. favors the existence of almost 700 species of marine and freshwater fauna. The resources Status of seed production technologies are diverse and consist of indigenous, economi- cally important commercial species, as well Seed production in Myanmar is focused as ornamental species. on freshwater – carps (breeding by hypo physation method), tilapia, and . Seeds The fertile continental shelves, dense of freshwater fish are produced in millions for distribution to grow-out farms and for mangroves and coral beds along the coastal stock enhancement. stretch are prime spawning and feeding grounds for a wide variety of species. Increasing demand Aquatic Resources Management for finfish, and mollusks for food as well as for ornamental purposes has resulted in Fisheries laws the over -exploitation of resources. Fisheries resources in Myanmar are Endangered Species important for livelihood and food security. Export earnings from the fisheries sector In Myanmar, two freshwater fish species, rank third after agriculture and forestry Asian arowana Scleropages formosus and giant products. These resources are categorized catfish Pangasianodon gigas, and two marine into inland fisheries, coastal and marine fish species, whale shark Rhincodon typus and fisheries, and aquaculture. seahorse Hippocampus kuda are currently listed in the Convention on International The Department of Fisheries (DOF) Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and has enacted the following laws for fisheries Flora (CITES) appendices. management: 1. Freshwater Fisheries Law (1991) Downloaded by [Anonymous] from http://repository.seafdec.org.ph on January 30, 2019 at 11:14 PM CST Myanmar Wild Life Law 2. Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law (1990), The following species are found in the amended in 1993 list of protected species under the Myanmar 3. Law relating to the fishing rights of foreign Wild Life Law: fishing vessels (1989), amended in 1993 4. Aquaculture Law (1989) — Tubenose stickleback Indostomous paradoxus Freshwater Fisheries Law — Carp Osteobrama vigorsii The Law stipulates the following: — Butter catfish Silonia silondia — Upside-down catfish Mystus a) Further development of the fisheries leucophasis b) Prevention of the extinction of fish 118 Stock Enhancement in Myanmar

c) Prevention of the destruction of fresh- disturbance to and other marine water fish habitats organisms. d) Payment of duties and fees to the State e) Management of fisheries in accordance The Law also mentions the duties and with the Law. powers of fisheries inspectors.

Regarding the prohibitions in fisheries, Enforcement at different levels the Law states that: The DOF is the only competent authority a) No one shall be allowed to do the following for fisheries in the country. The DOF in collabo- in any freshwater bodies of water: ration with CITES and other organizations — Catching fish using explosives and like the World Conservation Union (IUCN) toxic substances and WCS constantly evaluates the status of — Catching fish using prohibited imple- existence and survival of aquatic resources ments and methods in nature. — Catching fish of prohibited size b) No one shall construct, install or maintain Myanmar has undertaken efforts to protect obstructive dams, banks, or wire fences in rare fauna and flora, within the context of freshwater fisheries without permission food security issues and sustainable livelihood from the DOF. of the people managing the aquatic resources. c) No one shall be allowed to do the following The DOF has conducted aquatic resource within the boundary of creeks important management by regulating the collection to fisheries: according to species, season, fishing grounds, — Cutting undergrowth or setting fire and implements. In this regard, fisheries in fish habitats officers at the provincial, district and town- — Disrupting the flow of water ship levels are the key force in monitoring and d) No one shall be allowed to cause distur- exercising management in collaboration with bance to fish and other aquatic organisms, local authorities and related departments. or cause pollution in waterways in leased or reserved fisheries areas, and contiguous For commercial purposes, one can obtain creeks. the right to utilize fishery resources, in the country by procuring a license. However, fishing Moreover, the legislation also describes for household consumption is exempted from penalties for violations. such license.

Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law Habitat protection

Downloaded by [Anonymous] from http://repository.seafdec.org.ph on January 30, 2019 at 11:14 PM CST The Law includes prohibitions on the In collaboration with the Forestry, Agri- following: culture and the Irrigation Departments, the DOF actively participates in the protection a) No person shall engage in inshore and off- of habitat, spawning and feeding grounds of shore fishery activities without a license. aquatic . b) No person shall keep explosives and toxic substances on board fishing vessels for There are wildlife sanctuaries and pro- use in fishing. tected areas in Myanmar managed by the c) No person shall dispose of living aquatic Forestry Department. The same Depart- organisms or any material into marine ment also undertakes mangrove protection waters that would cause pollution or and replanting. Stock Enhancement in Myanmar 119

Table 1. Number of fish seed stocked into Impact on catches the natural waters of Myanmar from 1990 to 2005. Among the species listed in the CITES, the Asian Arowana has commercial value No. of fish seed stocked as ornamental fish. Arowana are found Year ( x 103) in the stream at Tanintharyi Division. The 1990-1991 3.25 giant catfish P. gigas inhabit the upper 1991-1992 6.00 Ayeyarwaddy River and its tributaries in 1992-1993 3.80 the north. However, these species are not 1993-1994 7.25 exploited for commercial purpose. 1994-1995 64.70 The whale shark is not a popular food 1995-1996 124.46 fish and it is not a target species by the local 1996-1997 50.00 fishers. The anchovy surrounding nets in 1997-1998 33.00 the Rakhine coastal areas often acciden- 1998-1999 65.37 tally caught sharks but usually released 1999-2000 56.98 back into the sea. Since early 2000, the 2000-2001 85.80 increasing price of shark meat due to export 2001-2002 92.80 demand has been attracting local fishers to 2002-2003 134.30 target this . In this regard, the DOF 2003-2004 218.60 enhances activities in educating the fishers 2004-2005 236.50 to safeguard endangered species and takes actions in accordance to Fisheries Laws to those who violate. Stock Enhancement Programs H. kuda and other seahorse species The State’s vision is to assist the national are found in all coastal areas in Myanmar. economy by promoting livelihood programs Recently, people in coastal areas became for rural people through the development interested in seahorse because it commands an of the fisheries sector. To achieve such goal, attractive price. Seahorse is used by the Chinese one of the major activities is to undertake as traditional medicine. These animals are a stock enhancement program which has caught using the anchovy surrounding nets. been implemented since 1983. The DOF subsidizes the annual seeding of freshwater Among the species protected under the fish and into natural waters. Myanmar Wildlife Law are tubenose I. para- doxus and upside-down catfish M. lucophasis Species stocked

Downloaded by [Anonymous] from http://repository.seafdec.org.ph on January 30, 2019 at 11:14 PM CST which are valued as freshwater ornamental fish. I. paradoxus is found in Indaw Gyi Species used in seeding include common Lake at Kachin State in northern Myanmar. carp, tilapia, rohu, catla, and featherbacks The upside down catfish inhabits rivers fish, freshwater Macrobrachium and and streams in lower and upper Myanmar. tiger Penaeus monodon. Activities The sustainability of this species in natural include annual stocking of seeds in the habitat has been threatened since the demand Ayeyarwaddy River and its tributaries, for export is increasing. In this regard, the lakes, reservoirs, dams and other bodies DOF has controlled its export. of water. The annual seeding program has recorded millions of fish seed stocked from The carp O. virgosii and butter catfish 1990 to the present (Table 1). S. silondia are popular food fish. S. silondia is 120 Stock Enhancement in Myanmar

one of the expensive food fish in Myanmar. Co-management by local communities They thrive in rivers and large streams of upper Myanmar. Since the late 1990s, the Attempts have been made to increase catch has gradually declined and scarcely awareness in fisheries co-management to sustain seen in local markets. This may be due to resources through responsible fisheries and overexploitation or destruction of their aquaculture practices. The activities are habitat. Currently, the DOF has undertaken implemented with transparency. The stock enhancement and conservation activities efforts to conserve these species through are participatory with support and co-manage- Myanmar Wild Life Law. ment from stakeholders. Monitoring References Stock enhancement activities, protection and conservation are mainly monitored by the Fisheries Statistics 2003-2004. 2005. Depart- fisheries inspectors in collaboration with local ment of Fisheries, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Yangon, Myanmar management authorities, the Forestry Depart- List of Animals and Fishes Protected Under ment and the police force. the Myanmar Wildlife Law. 1994. Depart- ment of Forestry Notification No. 583/ The DOF is the only competent author- 94, Ministry of Forestry ity to monitor and conduct fisheries related Reports of the Mandalay Division Fisheries activities. The Myanmar Fisheries Federa- Office, Department of Fisheries, Ministry tion is the most competent NGO in fisheries of Livestock and Fisheries 2003 and supporting the activities of the DOF. 2004 Downloaded by [Anonymous] from http://repository.seafdec.org.ph on January 30, 2019 at 11:14 PM CST