Raising Awareness: Breeding of Invasive Fish Species banned

Due to the illegal import of invaded fish species from abroad, aquatic ecosystem is being damaged in freshwater and natural lakes and freshwater fishery resources can be impacted. 

It is threatening to the freshwater fishery resources in Myanmar. The invasive ones eat the native fish species and compete for food and habitat. 

Therefore, the Department of Fisheries is conducting banning activities along raising awareness on it. 

Deputy Director General, Department of Fisheries, Myint Zin Htoo said "We conduct checking and authorizing the list of freshwater aquarium fishes and spread awareness about invasive fish species through sign boards, pamphlets and media. Some of the fish species like African catfish; they are fish-eating species. Also sucker fishes are very strong in reproduction, so they can hamper food and habitat in natural breeding ponds. So breeding cost could increase and it can damage the commercial benefits. Really dangerous for freshwater fish breeding industry."

It is learnt that, there are five prohibited invasive fish species in Myanmar including suckermouth catfish, alligator gar fish and African catfish. 

Deputy Director General, Department of Fisheries, Myint Zin Htoo said "Sometimes the invasive ones came in freshwater aquarium style like African catfish, sucker fish. In our country, we’ve prohibited those fishes not to be imported and bred. Previous years, we’ve seen releasing alligator gar fishes in the river after getting enough of breeding in the house aquarium tanks. It’s very dangerous for local fish species. We’d like to remind that not to release those invasive ones in natural lakes alive. "

People are urged not to breed those ones and if breeding, not to release them in nearby river, creek and lakes.