Men clean fishing nets in Rakhine state, on 15 November 2016. Photo: Reuters
Fishing trawlers, which temporarily ceased operation due to violent attacks in the district last year, will be registered by authorities in villages and townships, according to a decision reached at a meeting at the District General Administration Department held yesterday afternoon.
Fishing trawlers in Rakhine State were surveyed by combined teams of the Department of Marine Administration, the Fisheries Department, Myanma Insurance, police and township general administration departments in the state in Sittway, Pauktaw and Yanbye Townships.
Arrangements are underway to conduct surveys in Alethankyaw Village in Maungtaw Topwnship to issue licenses to operate and for fishing in the near future.
About 300 fishing trawlers and about 1,300 manageable-level fishing boats operate in Rakhine State for nearshore waters fishing to fulfil domestic demand for fishery products. The district depends heavily on fishing. Authorities are planning to issue fishing licenses to trawlers and boats in the area as regional stability has been restored.—Zin Oo (Myanma Alin)