Sustainable aquaculture and resource enhancement in Myanmar

Abstract

Myanmar is located in a rising global fish demand zone for both processing and fish consumption, and has relatively rich land, water and coastal resources, as well as a diversity of agro-climatic conditions. Myanmar has taken its first major step towards developing a sustainable aquaculture industry that will meet domestic nutritional needs and support the fishery export business at a time when wild fish stocks are declining rapidly since 1990. At that time, Myanmar fishery sector has effectively performed for raising aquaculture production capacity in different States and Regions. Recently, freshwater aquaculture is into commercial production of over 20 species and nearly 10 species of indigenous species were successfully done at experimental scale. Most of the Myanmar people live in rural areas and they can easily access fishery resources in their place for daily food needs and create jobs. The aquaculture sector has been performing priority projects towards sustainable management of marine and freshwater fisheries to address overexploitation and climate change impact. Myanmar DOF has initiated projects to ensure food security, food safety, and environment friendly and sustainable development of aquaculture sector through cooperation with local, regional and international organizations. Myanmar aquaculture sector would like to need improve aquaculture value chains, environmental sustainability, and competency of staff. This could be done through application of advanced technology and cooperation with international organizations through research and development programs for seed production in marine finfish.