Efforts in Fishery: Freshwater fish breeding to be undertaken in Minbya

Fisheries Products from Rakhine State were exported to neighboring country, Bangladesh through Maungdaw and Sittwe border gates. The export volume of marine products was over 5,000 tons, earning 4.7 million USD during 2020-2021 financial year and over 11,000 tons, earning over 13 million US dollars during 2021-22 mini budget.

At present, there are nearly 500 acres of freshwater fish breeding ponds in Rakhine state and in coming season, fish breeding tasks are going to conduct with 1,100 acres of freshwater fish brreding by using mangrove friendly farming system as 2-year project said by the Director of the Department of Fisheries in Rakhine State. 

Thet Oo, Director, Department of Fisheries, Rakhine State said "At current financial year, over 1,300 tons of fisheries products had already exported. Based on the shipping arrivals, the export volume and value would increase. Before, we export the products directly to other country. But, during this six months period, we carry the products with chartered vessels from Yangon, take checking at Sittwe gate and we directly give permission for selling. So, the export of volume ‌has increased twice with triple values than previous year."

The director added that the freshwater fish produced from Ayeyawady and Yangon regions get higher price than usual. The freshwater fish are exported with wholesale system through Rakhine State. So, locals from Rakhine State are urged to do freshwater fish farming in the region as demand from Bangladesh is high. 

Thet Oo, Director, Department of Fisheries, Rakhine State said "We also built a freshwater fish farming camp with the State Government Budget in Minbya. Residents from Minbya plan to make freshwater fish breeding with around 1,100 acres in their areas. One company from Yangon will do financial investment and our department will make fish hatching process. They will do breeding ahead including export processes to Bangladesh. If we can produce freshwater rohu fish, we can export more freshwater fish in a short time and the income will increase. "

Among fishery products being exported to Bangladesh through Sittwe and Maungdaw border gates, 65% of freshwater rohu are from Ayeyawady and Yangon Region, it’s learnt.