Introduction
Inland capture
fisheries provide a valuable contribution to food security
in many parts of the developing countries including Myanmar. Union of Myanmar
is littoral and largest country in main land in Southeast Asia, comprising a land area of 676,577 sq km,
a coastline of nearly 2,832 km, a continental shelf of 228,781 sq km and Exclusive Economic Zone of 486,000
sq km. Inland freshwater bodies cover 8.1 million ha of which 1.3 million ha are permanent; the
reminder are seasonally inundated floodplains, with a population of 54 million in 2005. Fish is one of
the most main animal protein resources in Myanmar and fish is a rich source of lysine as well as all other
essential amino acids, vitamin A, essential fatty acids and calcium which are difficult to secure in non-fish products
including many meats.
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Myanmar owes the richness
of her freshwater and brackish water fisheries to the extensive
big river network system in huge delta region. This kind of favorable
condition, natural gift, enables the denizens of the rivers to migrate along practically the whole length
of the water course to the sea, a prime important factor in the life span and distribution of brackish water and
freshwater fishes. All low lying area within the flood line of the rivers locally known as Inn, leasable fisheries
and 0.5 million hectare of swampy delta along 1,760 miles along coastline are serving natural breeding,
nurseries and feeding grounds for freshwater and some marine fishes. In this respect, Myanmar is similar
to many Southeast Asian countries where emphasis is paid to rice production as crucial element of food
security. An inland fishery is significant for Myanmar in terms of providing food security and employment to
a large number of fishers and rural dwellers. |
Fisheries are forth most
important source of export earning, valued at US$ 317.38 million
in 2003 (Department of Fisheries (DoF), 2003) Marine capture fisheries
is reported to produce 1060.25 thousand metric ton, freshwater capture fisheries 289.94 thousand metric
ton (Department of Fisheries (DoF) estimated of leasable, open and floodplains) and Aquaculture
256.05 thousand metric ton) Although the share from inland fisheries is not high, inland fisheries are
considered the most accessible and inexpensive source of protein for most Myanmar people, it is thus important
to the socio-economic and rural development of Myanmar. |
The development of the
inland fisheries in Myanmar can be traced back hundreds of years,
but became more systematic since the promulgation of the Burma Fishery
Act in 1905. The department at the time has mandate almost solely to survey and manage inland fisheries
resources for revenue.
Inland fisheries habitats are characterized by annual
cycle flood pulse that causes the rivers to flood low lying lands influent and adjacent the river and after a
number of months to retreat back into the main river channel. The fisheries have a distinct seasonality where
by a distinct river and floodplain component can be observed, depending upon the hydrological conditions.
Environments vary from freshwater to full seawater according to flood and tidal conditions (Coates, 2002).
Inland fishing in Myanmar is carried out in natural and human-made freshwater bodies of various types
from rivers and their tributaries to reservoirs and fishponds. Aquatic resource areas of the river systems within
Myanmar encompass a total of 8.2 million ha (FAO, 1996). Their 4 major rivers and 103 reservoirs,
115,687 ha in area that contribute to the production of freshwater fish. These impoundments are situated
in different parts of Myanmar and play a key role in the subsistence of income for communities involved.
In the past, floodplains were also important inland fisheries habitats but these have almost disappeared
due to the construction of dams and other infrastructure developments. |
According to Freshwater
Fisheries Law promulgated by the State in 1991, freshwater fisheries means water, pond, course, steam and lake which is of permanent
or temporary nature and in which fish live and thrive and which is situated within the inland boundary
along the sea coast of Myanmar. This expression also includes a leasable fishery, reserved fishery,
fisheries waters in which fishing rights are permitted under a license, reservoirs, waters in and area belong
to any Government department, inland tidal places, waters on an island, crocodile and turtle lay
their eggs and brackish water. Furthermore, waters on the inland side of the straight line drawn from one
extreme end of one bank to the extreme end of other bank of the river mouths and creek mouths contiguous
to the sea are noted as freshwater fisheries area. |
2.
Inland Fisheries
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Inland fishery in
Myanmar consists of culture and capture fisheries which is
divided into three main categories for management purpose. There are Leasable fisheries,
Reserved fisheries and fisheries waters in which fishing rights are granted under a license (open
fisheries).
“Inn”
leasable fisheries. These are almost exclusively key fishing
grounds on floodplains which are primarily fished through the erection of barrage fences around
the lease area with fish collected in various collection pens or traps. The peak season involves capturing
fishes migrating off the floodplain at the beginning of river draw-down. Lease holders enjoy exclusive
rights to fish the lease area including preventing access by others and a certain degree of environmental management
and control. This is referred to locally as the “Inn” fishery. There are currently 3,717
leasable fisheries in Myanmar of which 3,452 are still exploitable. Of these, 1,762 (51%) are located in Ayeyarwaddy
Division (the lower floodplains and delta of the river). Leases have been auctioned every year but Department
of Fisheries (DoF) is extending the lease period up to 9 years to promote improved long term management.
There are no Government owned lease. |
“Open” Fisheries.
These are fisheries in all other areas apart from Inn or resaved
fisheries including all types of fishing operation. The right to fish in this area
is licensed out by Department of Fisheries (DoF). All fishing gears require a license. Some of the larger gears,
particularly “Stow net” set in rivers, are allocated by a tender system (“tender fisheries”).
Fees are variable between regions according to production and capacity. License fees for smaller-gears are low. Although
the policy is for complete coverage of licenses for all gears. It was intimated that licenses tend
to be neglected for smaller gears and the system concentrates on those people perceived as fishing for “profit”. |
| Officially, all licenses
holders have to report their catches, although in practice,
this is only likely for the larger leasable fisheries and larger fixed gear fisheries.
This is another source of under estimation of the actual status of the production from inland fisheries. The entire
fishery is closed during June, July and August (to allow spawning and recruitment). The small-scale
fishery occurs year round and is considered technically “illegal” during these months. |
Reserved Fisheries: means
fisheries waters in which fishing operations are prohibited
from time to time or in which fishing rights are granted subject to stipulations
by the Department of Fisheries (DoF), in order to prevent the extinction of fish and to propagate the
same.
Fish caught from inland habitats are multi-species and
vary in abundance depending on the productive status of water bodies. In general, tilapia, barbs, snakehead,
common carp, carp, carplets, walking catfish, climbing perch, and macrobrachium are the dominant species.
This species make up more than 90% of the total capture freshwater fish catch. |
Table 1.
The production of inland capture fisheries by sectors
(1993-94 to 2002-03)
|
|
Year |
Leasable
Fisheries |
Open
Fisheries |
Total |
|
1993-94 |
56.18 |
90.28 |
146.16 |
|
1994-95 |
64.78 |
83.66 |
148.44 |
|
1995-96 |
61.04 |
85.55 |
146.59 |
|
1996-97 |
62.61 |
86.55 |
149.16 |
|
1997-98 |
62.66 |
86.71 |
149.37 |
|
1998-99 |
67.87 |
91.98 |
159.85 |
|
1999-00 |
83.06 |
113.00 |
196.06 |
|
2000-01 |
91.17 |
147.04 |
238.21 |
|
2001-02 |
95.95 |
158.93 |
254.88 |
|
2002-03 |
109.45 |
180.49 |
289.94 |
|
*Remark:
1st April to 31st March of the next year is fiscal year of
Myanmar.
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3. Fishing
Gear
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Fishing gears used in
inland fisheries are traditionally developed from small-scale
fishing activities. The most widely used gear includes stationary pots, stow net,
lift net, gill net, line, scoop net, bamboo trap and cast net. These gears are quite selective and simple to
use. However, the use of fishing gears in public waters has to be permitted by authorities according to the Freshwater
Fisheries Law (1991).
Practically, inland fisheries can fish all year round
but the amount caught may vary from season to season. Freshwater fish is abundant during the rainy season
from June to September. During this period rivers, wetlands and floodplains are very productive as new
water activates spawning. Yearling fish will grow to full size during this season and are the target of fishing
effort. Following the rainy season (October to December) water level in most inland habitats start leveling
off. This enables fishers to easily access grown fish from rainy season using various fishing gears. Fishing
can be done all year round in rivers and inn but fish are caught more readily from (July to September) when
the water level is low. |
4. Classification
of Inland Fishing Gear in Myanmar
|
| There are many fishing
gears employed in catching of Inland Fisheries in Myanmar. They
could divide into the following types: |
4.1 Gill Net
4.1.1 Drift gill net [Hmaw
pite]
4.1.2 Set gill net [Tar
Pite / Htaung Pite]
4.1.3 Trammel net [Thone
Htat pite] |
4.2 Hook and Line
4.2.1 Long line [Nga
Hmyar tann]
4.2.2 Hand line [Let
Htun]
4.2.3 Pole and line [Nga
Hmyar Tan] |
4.3 Trap
4.3.1 Fish trap [Hmyone]
4.3.2 Bamboo stake filter trap [Shaw/
Myin Win Sae]
4.3.3 Stow net [Kyar
Pasat]
4.3.4 Trap [WinKhan
Sae]
4.3.5 Drop door trap [Toke
or Maung Dann] |
4.4 Surrounding
Net
4.4.1 Big beach seine [Kalar
Pite (Thaung Swe Pite Gyi)]
4.4.2 Small beach seine [Shay
To Pite (Thaung Swe Pite)]
4.4.3 Net fence [Pite
Ba Wonn] |
4.5 Cast Net
4.5.1 Cast net [Let
Pyit Con]
4.5.2 Large cast net [Met
Con]
4.6 Lift Net
4.6.1 Portable lift net [Ya
Gwin]
4.6.2 Stick-held dip net [Ya
Gwin Gyi] |
4.6.3
Chinese dip net [Ya Gwin Gyi]
4.7 Push Net
4.7.1 Push net [Yin
Tun]
4.7.2 Push net with bag [Yin
Tun Gyi] |
4.8 Miscellaneous
4.8.1 Innle basket [Innle
Saung]
4.8.2 Eel clamp [Nga
Mwe Doe Chate]
4.8.3 Plunge basket or cover pot [Saung]
4.8.4 Plunge basket [Magyi
Tan]
with
tamarind wood scared line
4.8.5 Bush-bundle basket [Chone
Yet Thet]
4.8.6 Small bag net [Daine
wonn]
4.8.7 Beam trawl [Phot
Cut Pike]
4.8.8 Multi-pronged burbles spear [Hmain / Suu]
4.8.9 Dolphin |
5.
Inland fisheries management
Better resource management is urgently needed to
sustain inland fisheries resources. However, without good information and statistics for policy guidance
and action planning, this can not be achieved.
The following are objectives of the freshwater fisheries;
o To further develop
the fisheries;
o To prevent the extinction
of fish;
o To safeguard and
prevent the destruction of freshwater fisheries waters;
o To obtain duties
fees payable to the state;
o To manage the fisheries
and to take action in accordance with the Law
Myanmar has continually assessed the abundance,
diversity, population structure and distribution of inland fishes. Sampling methods are used at landing port
and market samplings to obtain landing volume, species, size and catch composition. Interview and questionnaires
are also often used for collecting data in inland fisheries by Department of Fisheries (DoF).
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6.
Future plan of the inland fisheries
The Government of Myanmar has a first five years plan for all
round development of fisheries sector from 2001-2002. They are separated by five year plans
each, via first five year plan, second five year plan, third five year plan, and so on. The expected percentage
of production for every five year inland fisheries is 4%. To fulfill
the expected production, allowing the long leases for sustainable
fisheries resources, to avoid the depletion of the ecosystem, secondly releasing
the fingerling of fishes to the natural water bodies to better sound balance of fish diversity, and no man
can not catch fish and prawn in spawning season as well. Thirdly, to conserve the fisheries resources
the government introduced the fisher participatory approach co-management system.
Firstly according to the condition of the lease,
the leasees have to release the fish seed 1 to 5% in value from the fees of the leases for sustainable inland fisheries
resources.
For those who cultured in the Leaseable fisheries,
they have to buy the fish seeds from government owned hatcheries in value of 30% of the fees of their leases.
And they have to replenish that fish seeds after reaching the size 4-5 inches in the pan or cage.(3-4 months) |
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