Union Parliament Speaker Thura Shwe Mann is calling for an end to fishing rights for foreign boats officially permitted to ply their trade in Myanmar waters.
Thura Shwe Mann made the plea at a
formal meeting of fishery and livestock producers associations, held at
Myanmar Fishery Federation offices in Yangon on Sunday.
Marine fisheries producers, noting that
fishing rights for foreign boats expire in March of next year, say that
local marine experts and fisheries producers are also opposed to
renewing foreign permits.
“Fishing rights should no longer be
given to foreign fishing boats. A ban must be implemented if the
respective associations and ministries agree. If necessary, Parliament
will hold more discussions about the issue. If the result is that local
fisheries producers can do more fishing in our waters, then I think such
a policy would be good and right. I really suggest doing so,” the
Speaker said.
Although Myanmar collects US$ 12 million
a year in taxes from foreign fishing boats, they cause damage to marine
resources, their products do not flow into the country, and they
provide no local employment, said Aung Than Oo, co-secretary of the
Myanmar Marine Fisheries Association.
From 2004 to 2011, an average of 250 to 300 foreign boats per year had fished in Myanmar’s waters, according to official data.
Permits for foreign fishing boats will
expire on March 31, 2014. A company from Thailand has reportedly
submitted a renewal application for five years to the Ministry of
Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development through the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
source: Eleven Myanmar
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