The Myanmar Navy had caught five illegal fishing trawlers in the sea in Kawthoung in no-fishing period, sources said.

Myanmar set June, July and August as no-fishing period, banning trawlers from fishing in Myanmar seas during the ban.However, fishing trawlers continue to fish illegally in this period and navy is patrolling in the sea to tackle illegal fishing.

The navy boat T-201 found a suspect target in its radar in east of Bulet Bay on June 21 and caught an illegal fishing trawler with seven Myanmar crews.

The navy boat No.425 found four illegal fishing trawlers near Kyantcho and Palawkakyan islands with seven Myanmar crews in each.

“We caught five illegal fishing trawlers around midnight on June 21 near Palawkakyan Island about 20 miles away from Kawthoung. Each trawler has seven crew members. They are transferred to Fishery Department on June 24 and the department will take action on them with rules and regulations. It is for the second time we caught the illegal fishing boats in this no-fishing period,” said Col. Thant Zin Oo from Coastal Region Command.