27 mln fingerlings to be added into lakes in Yangon Region

The Department of Fisheries estimates to add 27 million fingerlings into the lakes of Yangon Region this monsoon and it has already freed 7.903 million fingerlings, according to the regional department.
The department released 26.1 million fingerlings last year. It conducted the 22nd fish-adding ceremony at 20 lakes in districts and townships in the third week of July accounting for to 29.27 per cent of this year’s target.
“The Head of State instructed all those concerned all to add fingerlings on priority as the people can catch them as food in the natural lakes directly. Therefore, we release two-inch-sized fingerlings into the main natural waters or lakes in the regions. If we free 100 fish, 80 may be alive. We add the fish species with the objectives such as ensuring the sustainable development of fishery together with fish resources conservation, to prevent extinction of fish species, ensuring the sustainable development of fish species in natural lakes, developing the fish production and socioeconomic status of locals with food security,” said U Myint Shwe, Director of the region department.
The Yangon Region Department of Fisheries added a total of 7.903 million fingerlings — three million in April and 4.75 million during the third week in July. If the fish recourses are decreasing in the river, creeks and lakes due to natural causes or human beings, the fish-adding programme can make the situation normal. Therefore, the fingerlings are freed into the natural freshwater lakes in states and regions yearly to increase fish resources.
The Yangon Region has 100,000 acres of fish firms and produces freshwater fish. It has adequate food and exports to regions and states including Nay Pyi Taw. The freshwater fish and prawns from Ayeyawady and Bago regions are packed at 79 cold storage facilities to export and the country directly exports Rohu to Bangladesh via Sittway. Increasing the production of marine products that have large export volumes and providing techniques and agrochemicals to promote production rates per acre can ensure foreign incomes for the farmers.
The department launched the diploma course in fisheries and aquaculture at Fisheries Institute (Twantay) last year. It is estimated to add over 100 million fingerlings across the nation in 2023-2024FY and 27 million fish in Yangon Region. — Nyein Thu (MNA)/KTZH