Development and use of alternative dietary ingredients for fish meal in Myanmar

Abstract

Myanmar is situated in the Southeast Asian region bordering China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh and India. It covers a fish landing total area of 677,000 km2 and about 526,000 hectares of marine swamp areas along its 2,800 km coastal length. One main river (Ayeyarwaddy) and other rivers, (Sittaung, Thanlwin and Chindwin), are conjugated with the sea at the Gulf of Martaban which makes the formation of very diverse aquatic animal species inhabitants in Myanmar waters. The geographical, climatic and natural conditions are so diverse and favorable that it is recognized as one of the richest natural fishing grounds in the region promising potential environments for aquaculture expansion. In Myanmar, there is significant potential for continued expansion and growth of aquaculture and culture based capture fisheries.