Department of Fisheries monitors fishing trawlers with VMS system for marine fisheries control

VMS systems are being installed at fishing trawlers by the Department of Fisheries in regions and states along Myanmar’s coast to monitor the depletion of fish stocks due to global climate change and overfishing in the Myanmar Sea.
In Taninthayi Region, Mon State, Yangon Region, Ayeyawady Region, and Rakhine State, where fish and shrimps are caught for domestic consumption and export, the movement of fishing trawlers equipped with VMS signal system is being monitored by the region/state Department of Fisheries.
To prevent natural disasters and illegal capture/transport of fishing vessels, the Department of Fisheries in Nay Pyi Taw is monitoring the five control points as an additional control centre, and the Tatmadaw (Navy) is overseeing foreign fishing vessels illegally entering Myanmar waters.
“Nay Pyi Taw further monitors the VMSs in the five regions and states and directs them as needed. In addition, controlling fish and shrimp catches during the non-fishing season contributes to the long-term sustainability of Myanmar’s marine fisheries,” said U Aung Zaw Win, Assistant Director of the Department of Fisheries in Western District of Yangon.
There are more than 3,000 VMS-equipped fishing trawlers and carriers nationwide, of which more than 850 fishing trawlers and 130 carriers are based in Yangon Region, with 230 fishing trawlers and 10 carriers in Rakhine State producing the most fishery resources. Although there is no fishing grounds in Yangon, which is the seaport and port city, freshwater and saltwater products are stored in Yangon cold storage facilities for domestic/foreign markets.—Nyein Thu (MNA)/GNLM