27 February

The Taninthayi Vessel Monitoring System Control Centre is keeping a careful watch on offshore fishing vessels in Myanmar waters, according to the Fisheries Department.

The control centre is temporarily operating out of the Myeik District Fisheries Department as the three-storeyed building where it will be housed is still under construction. The control centre is being built with funds allocated by the Taninthayi Region government.

Vessel monitoring systems (VMS) have been installed on a total of 1,414 offshore boats and 116 fish collecting vessels so far, while some vessels have been issued warnings regarding their installation.

“The control centre is monitoring fishing vessels to check whether they are complying with the law. The vessels are being inspected at checkpoints before leaving for their designated ports. The inspections are aimed at curbing illicit fishing and transportation,” said U Than Chaung, head of the Taninthayi Region Fisheries Department.

The Taninthayi coast is situated in southern Myanmar and it is the longest coast in Myanmar, spanning 200 miles. More than 47,000 workers are engaged in offshore fishing on 1,530 vessels along the coast.— Khaing Htoo (IPRD) (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)