Myanmar to designate Proeutropiichthys taakree as National Fish

Efforts will be made to recognize the Proeutropiichthys taakree, which inhabits Myanmar only among ASEAN countries, as the National Fish of the country, according to the handover ceremony of 100 Proeutropiichthys taakree fingerlings by the Fishery Institute (Twantay) to Myanmar Fisheries Federation to launch research on 16 February.
Myanmar’s Proeutropiichthys taakree fish with proper foreign demand will be bred for commercial purposes if the initial hatchery processes are done successfully. Therefore, Deputy Director Daw Moe Thuzar Maung, Principal of the Fishery Institute under the Department of Fisheries handed over the Proeutropiichthys taakree fingerlings, that Viet Nam and Thailand do not possess the species, to Senior Vice-President Dr Toe Nandar Tin of Myanmar Fisheries Federation and party.
The Proeutropiichthys taakree saving centre is located at Twantay fish farm about 22 nautical miles from Yangon. The captured Proeutropiichthys taakree fingerlings are kept at the beach for about four or five days and the well-developed fish are kept at brick and soil farms of the Institute. The two-year pilot research shows 60 per cent of success.
“The Proeutropiichthys taakree fish is a marine product that achieves good demand. As it inhabits Myanmar only, the fingerlings are kept at the Twantay fish farm and developed them at the Institute for two years as from 2021. They eat only the alive food and live underneath the water. But, they are bred at about 3 or 4 ft of water in depth feeding the food tube and the process is successful. If the 3 to 4-year-old fish farming process is successful, we will get a certain result. As we breed them in farms with natural water, if they can live well with nature having the needed nutrient, the hatching process will be accomplished. We hand over 100 fingerlings including four sizes from 2 to 3 years old to conduct research and produce commercially. As the specie does not exist in ASEAN countries, it will stand as the National Fish of the country,” said the principal of the Institute.
The fish is seen in the lower part of Mandalay Region and they do not exist in the Mekong River and so it is standing as a pride for the country. Bangladesh recognizes the Hilsa as its National Fish and controls the foreign market today. The Department of Fisheries and Myanmar Fisheries Federation will work together to recognize the Proeutropiichthys taakree as National Fish to conserve as fauna of the country while exporting to foreign countries.
“The Department of Fisheries and Myanmar Fisheries Federation have been working together since years ago. Today’s cooperation is such a wonderful event. I believe that we can hatch the specie of Myanmar’s Proeutropiichthys taakree. We will discuss will all the experts for hatchery of fish specie that is not seen in ASEAN countries. We will keep trying hard to recognize the Proeutropiichthys taakree as National Fish,” said the senior vice-president of the Myanmar Fisheries Federation.
As the Proeutropiichthys taakree fetches the highest prices, it will be a product that earns the foreign income most for the country like the river catfish after the hatchery processes are conducted successfully. The Proeutropiichthys taakree fingerlings are seen at the mouth of Twantay river, Nyaungdon Wegyithaung and Pantanaw of Ayeyawady Region. During the event, 100 fingerlings were transported to the Global Art fish farming zone for hatchery processes through research. If the plans are successful, the country can earn foreign income from the export sector. —Nyein Thu (MNA)/KTZH