Myanmar

Myanmar

People matter in ecosystem management

January 2014 - Socio-economic information is essential in applying the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management and the implementation of the Large Marine Ecosystem concept. 'Socio-economic Monitoring' or 'SocMon' (www.socmon.org), an initiative being implemented at the global and regional levels, promotes the use of socio-economic information for decision making in fisheries and coastal management. Read more...BOBLME initiated, in collaboration with the NGO Fauna and Flora International (FFI) and Mawlamyine University, Myanmar, a 10-day SocMon training course.

Developing capacity to apply the methodology and improving the understanding of the socio-economic drivers and situation of coastal communities in Myanmar were the goals of this training. The South Asia and South East Asia SocMon Coordinators, Dr. Vineeta Hoon (Center for Action Research on Environment, Science & Society, India), Dr. Michael Pido (Palawan State University, Philippines), and Dr. Helen Schneider (FFI) were the lead trainers, supported by a team of co-trainers. More than 20 trainees from several Myanmar universities, government departments, and NGOs participated in the training, which included actual field sessions in Setse and Kyaikkami Villages – two coastal fishing villages within Thanpyuzayat Township, Mamlamyine District, Mon State. Collapse

Myanmar marine ecosystem survey by RV Dr. Fridtjof Nansen on-going

November 2013 – A scientific survey is now underway on the fish resources, marine biodiversity and oceanography in Myanmar waters by the Norwegian RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen, operating within the framework of the FAO EAF-Nansen Project and BOBLME. Read more...

This is a significant addition to the range of national activities in Myanmar and regional activities involving Myanmar scientists and government officials in a wider Bay of Bengal context.

This survey became a reality through funding received from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) for an additional programme of work that is complementary to the BOBLME Project activities. FAO has been collaborating with Norad and the Institute of Marine Research of Bergen, Norway, to carry out fisheries resources and environment surveys in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America using the vessel RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen since 1975. The on-going survey is the second such survey programme by the EAF Nansen Programme in Myanmar waters. The old research vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen had carried out similar surveys in the period 1979-1980, establishing important benchmark information on the state of the Myanmar marine resources. The 2013 survey will massively improve the understanding of the status of the marine resources, and provide the information essential for informed management and sustainability of Myanmar's marine resources for years to come.

The link to the diaries can be found at: http://www.imr.no/forskning/utviklingssamarbeid/surveys/en. The page will be updated weekly. Collapse

Myanmar Department of Fisheries to the Rescue

July 2013 - An oceanographic data buoy that is part of the Research Moored Array for African-Asian-Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction (RAMA) and usually located in the eastern Bay of Bengal area broke its mooring recently and started an unexpected journey to Myanmar. Read more...The buoy was tracked by satellite meandering around the northern islands of Myeik Archipelago before moving off quite deliberately towards Myeik. Indeed, after some excellent detective work by the BOBLME National Coordinator, Mr Mya Than Tun, Fisheries Officers located the buoy at the Myeik Fishing Jetty and in good condition. It had apparently been rescued by a local fishing boat. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, USA) Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT, India) maintain the RAMA buoys and hope to have the wayward unit back in service in the near future. The BOBLME Project is supporting RAMA by providing a set of biogeochemical sensors which will contribute to a better understanding of Indian Ocean monsoon and climate change impacts. Collapse
Coral survey confirms marine habitat in the Southern Myeik Archipelago impacted by heavy fishing pressure
 
“…the southern Myeik Archipelago was harvested before it was investigated. It was impoverished before it was explored….. They [coral reefs] won’t recover in the current use context.” Dr. James True, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.