Myanmar Fishery Entrepreneurs Association will call for a total ban on offshore fishing vessels and onshore commercial fishing vessels during the no-fishing season, said Maung Maung Soe, President of Myanmar Marine Fishery Entrepreneurs Association.
“The government has banned fishing for three months and allowed 20 per cent of fishing vessels to do fishing. Most of vessel owners want a one-month ban. It will be ok for vessel owners if the government allows fishing after a 30-day ban. The association plans to discuss this system in the coming fishing season. They are not ok as the rest fishing vessels have suspended their works,” he added.
Since 2013, Fishery Department has designated no-fishing season and areas in order to carry out the conservation of fish resources. The association will call for a total ban on all fishing vessels for 30 days.
“Locals do small-scale onshore and offshore fishing in villages in Mon and Tanintharyi. The association will demand a ban on big fishing vessels. It is found that these big fishing vessels are catching small fishes when the fishing has suspended. Thanks to it, fishing vessels will be ok when the ban is lifted. We plan to call for a ban on onshore fishing vessels which do commercial fishing,” he continued.
Fishery Department designated the no-fishing season for offshore fishing vessels from May 16 to August 15, 2018. But the department allowed 20 per cent of offshore fishing vessels to do fishing at the request of offshore fishing entrepreneurs.
