Present status of fishery statistics in Myanmar

Abstract

The Myanmar Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Livestock Breeding and Fisheries, is responsible for the management of fisheries, conservation of resources, providing extension services, conducting research, and compilation of the national statistics in fisheries. Following a brief account of the types of fisheries in Myanmar, both marine and freshwater, an examination is made of fish production, licensed offshore fisheries (1996-1997), licensed inshore (1996-1997), export data, TCP/MYA/4553 Project and project activities (November 1995 to August 1997). The fishery sector is considerably important in the economy of the country, as fish constitutes a major source of animal protein in the diet of the people and is the 5th largest source of foreign exchange earning. Fishery statistics are important in fishery management, and therefore the formulation and strengthening of fishery statistics survey is very useful for the fishery management of Myanmar.