CNI News

4 Oct 2022

Negotiations are underway to launch technical cooperation with Russian ships in fishing in Myanmar waters, according to Myanmar Fisheries Federation.

As fishing boats currently used in Myanmar can catch fish up to the depth of 200 meters under sea, negotiations are being held to apply Russian technologies, which can be applied at the depths of 1,500 meters and 2,500 meters under sea, Vice Chairperson Daw Tow Nanda Tin told the CNI.

She said, “Negotiations focused on deep-sea fishing. Fishing boats in our country can catch up to the depth of 200 meters under sea. So, they cannot catch fish in waters that are deeper than 200 meters. If we can cooperate with Russia in technology, we will be able to catch fish from deeper waters and enhance our catching capacity with technological development.”

A Russian fishing boat.

Myanmar and Russia have reached agreements to cooperate in conducting surveys on stocks of fishery resources in Myanmar waters and other fields. Currently, both sides are discussing rules for cooperation, which is expected to start soon.

Cooperation in deep-sea fishing with Russia will only contribute to the government and is unlikely to have much benefit for coastal fishing and fish breeding, U Khin Maung Aye, an oyster breeder in Kyaukphyu, told the CNI.

He said, “Fish stocks have depleted in coastal areas but deeper parts of the sea are still abundant in fish resources. This will not have any impacts on ordinary people. Most fishing entrepreneurs have to invest as much as MMK 60 million and catch anchovies and cuttle fish with the use of Thai technologies. Even then, fish stocks have depleted in coastal areas. Cooperation in deep-sea fishing with Russia will contribute only to the government and ordinary people in coastal areas will not be able to enjoy much benefit.

A site of the fishing industry.

Currently, Thai technologies are being applied in fish-breeding and fishing in Myanmar. Development of the fishing industry requires not only technologies but also investment and penetration into new markets, according to fishing entrepreneurs.

Myanmar is abundant in fish resources but the country still lacks fishing equipment and technologies. As a result, Myanmar fishing boats can catch fish at the depth of a few meters under sea. By cooperating with Russia in the fishing industry, Myanmar will receive assistance in technologies and equipment, according to the Department of Fisheries and the Myanmar Fisheries Federation.