Entrepreneurs called on Myanmar Fishery Department to reduce the no-fishing period as the department is likely to totally ban offshore fishing vessels during the three-month no-fishing season this year, said Win Kyaing, General-Secretary of the Myanmar Fishery Federation.

The department held a  meeting on the no-fishing season and areas in Nay Pyi Taw, on March 22.

In a bid to conserve fish resources in Myanmar’s seas, the department has introduced the no-fishing season for the offshore fishing vessels since 2013. The department is likely to execute a total ban on fishing for 90 days from May 15 to August 14, according to the MFF.

In 2014, the department fixed the 60-day ban for 65 per cent of all fishing vessels. In 2015, the department banned 50 per cent of fishing vessels and fixed the 90-day ban. In 2016, the department banned 40 per cent of fishing vessels and made the 90-day ban. In 2017, the department banned 30 per cent of fishing vessels and made the 90-day ban.

“We would like to call on the department to reduce the non-fishing season from three to two months”, he added.

Offshore fishing vessel entrepreneurs association called on the department to allow 20 per cent of all fishing vessels last year as fishing workers find it difficult to survive due to lack of employment.

Kyaw Naing, General Secretary of Myanmar Offshore fishing vessel entrepreneurs association said: “Entrepreneurs demand to reduce non-fishing days to 45 in Rakhine and Ayeyawady and 60 days in Yangon, Tanintharyi and Mon.”

The conversation of fish resources is not in a position to fully achieve success as the department is unable to control the onshore fishing.

The onshore fishing industry along the 1800-km-long coast covering Rakhine, Ayeyawady, Mon, Tanintharyi and Yangon.