Fisheries Country Profile: Myanmar 2025

2025 Information Updated

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is located in the Southeast Asian region with a total land area of 676,580 km², and bordered by India, China, Bangladesh, Laos and Thailand (Figure 1). Myanmar possesses a long coastline, a marine fishing area of 486,000 km² within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and Myeik Archipelago which comprise about 800 islands. Additionally, the country has 8.2 million ha of inland water bodies. Therefore, the fisheries and aquaculture sector are very important for the food and nutrition security of the Myanmar people and play a significant role in the national economy after the agricultural sector.

Fisheries agency

The Department of Fisheries (DoF) of Myanmar was established on 15 March 1972, with the primary aims of conserving fisheries resources, ensuring food security through sustainable fish consumption, and contributing to the development of aquaculture technology for the benefit of the people of Myanmar. Currently, the DoF operates under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, and is structured into four main divisions and 15 regional and state fisheries departments. These divisions include the Fisheries Management Division, the Research and Development Division, the Aquaculture Division, and the Administration and Finance Division, all of which are responsible for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector in Myanmar.

The DoF is consistently focused on human resources development and capacity building in the fisheries sector. The DoF has established five fisheries training centers in Yangon Region, Ayeyarwady Region, Bago Region, Sagaing Region, and Mon State. These centers, operating under the DoF, provide essential aquaculture and fisheries training courses annually. In the 2023–2024 period, these fisheries training centers conducted 363 training sessions, benefiting a total of 10,492 trainees, including fishery officers and local communities.

In 2021, the DoF established the Fisheries Institute in Twantay Township, Yangon Region. The institute offers a three-year Diploma Course in Fisheries and Aquaculture, with plans underway to upgrade it to a fisheries college in the future. In the 2023–2024 academic year, 66 students were enrolled in the first-year course, while 40 students were attending the second-year course. The institute provides education in 17 specialized subjects related to fisheries and aquaculture, including excursions and hands-on trainings.

Fisheries laws, regulations, and policies

The DoF, as the executive organization responsible for the fisheries sector within the government, oversees fisheries management, aquaculture, post-harvest activities, fish trading, research and development, and related planning in compliance with enacted laws and regulations. The DoF prioritizes policies that ensure food security and food safety through the conservation of fishery resources and the sustainable development of the fisheries sector. Additionally, the DoF has articulated six key objectives and developed 25 plans for the advancement of the fisheries sector. These efforts are guided by the vision of sustainable development within the fisheries sector, aiming to ensure food security, improve the socioeconomic conditions of rural communities, and contribute to the nation’s economic development through the fisheries industry.

Moreover, the DoF has promulgated four key fisheries laws, namely:  Law Relating to the Fishing Rights of Foreign Vessels and the Aquaculture Law in 1989; Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law in 1990; and Freshwater Fisheries Law in 1991. In 1993, two of these laws were amended, which were the Law Amending the Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law and the Law amending the Law Relating to the Fishing Rights of Foreign Fishing Vessels with the aim of more efficiently managing the fisheries industry and protecting fisheries resources.

Currently, among the four existing fisheries laws, the Freshwater Fisheries Law has been delegated to the relevant authorities in regions and states. The Law Relating the Fishing Rights of Foreign Vessels has been combined with the Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law, and efforts are underway to amend both into a unified Union Fisheries Law. Additionally, the DoF is considering the modernization of Aquaculture Law into Aquaculture Development Law. The current drafts of Union Fisheries Law and the Aquaculture Development Law are under review by the Ministry of Legal Affair.

Fishing sector

Myanmar has a coastline of 2,832 km and is divided into four fishing grounds: Rakhine, Ayeyarwady, Mon, and Tanintharyi (Figure 2). The Rakhine Fishing Ground extends from grid A1 to B10. The Ayeyarwady Fishing Ground covers grid B11 to C25, including D1, D5, D10, D15, and D20. The Mon Fishing Ground ranges from D2 to D23, excluding D1, D5, D10, D15, and D20. The Tanintharyi Fishing Ground extends from D24 to F21 respectively (Figure 2).

• Capture fisheries

Capture fisheries in Myanmar include inland fisheries and marine fisheries. Inland fisheries are further divided into leasable and open fisheries. Leasable fisheries are particularly significant, primarily contributing to the production of freshwater fish. These fisheries are managed to support the conservation of indigenous fish species and their habitats, employing a capture-based system aimed at sustainable fish production.

Marine fisheries are classified into inshore and offshore fisheries. In inshore fisheries, fishing vessels operate within a range extending from the shoreline to 10 nm. These fishing vessels, typically traditional in design, are no longer than 12 m in length and utilize engines with less than 50 HP. The fishing gear types used in inshore fisheries include driftnets, gillnets, and longlines. Offshore fishing vessels are generally larger than 12 m in length and are equipped with engines exceeding 50 HP. The commercial fishing gear types used in offshore fisheries include trawls, purse seines, and longlines, as permitted by the DoF.

• Aquaculture

There are two types of aquaculture systems practiced in Myanmar: freshwater pond culture and brackish water pond culture. Aquaculture, particularly freshwater finfish farming, is primarily conducted using pond-based culture systems. Additionally, soft-shelled crab and seaweed farming are practiced in coastal areas. The DoF manages over 27 government-operated hatcheries, while more than 43 private hatcheries in Myanmar produce fish and shrimp/prawn post-larvae. Currently, over 20 species of freshwater fish are being cultured in Myanmar, including common carp, Indian major carps, Chinese major carps, tilapia, pangasius, walking catfish, and pacu. Among these, Rohu (Labeo rohita), native to Myanmar, is the most common and commercially cultivated species. Other potentially important freshwater species include Heteropneustes fossilis (stinging catfish), Ompok bimaculatus (sheatfish), and Notopterus (featherback), Cyprinus intha (nga phane), Trichogaster pectoralis (snake skin gourami), Pangasius bacourti (basa catfish), Prochilodus lineatus (taung paw nga tha lott), and Leptobarbus hoevenii (sultan fish). In the 2023–2024 period, the total aquaculture area covered approximately 190,117 ha, with a production of 1,211,020 MT. Aquaculture production accounts for 18 % of the total fisheries industry in Myanmar.

Fishery statistics

In the figures, the term “mini budget” refers to the transitional fiscal period between successive governments. In Myanmar, each administration defines its own fiscal year; for instance, one government may adopt a budget period from October to September, while another may use April to March. For the current administration, the fiscal year is set from April to September. In this fisheries country profile, the mini budget period represents from October 2021 to March 2022.

• Fisheries production

The total production of the fisheries sector, including capture fisheries, inland fisheries, and aquaculture during the five fiscal years from 2019–2020 to 2023–2024 can be seen in the Figure 3. In 2023–2024, marine fisheries production accounted for 54 % of the total production, aquaculture contributed 19 % and inland fisheries at 27 % (Figure 4).

• Fish trade

The DoF is the National Competent Authority responsible for food safety and quality control of export and import of fish and fishery products. The DoF regulates all operators in the fishery sector that produce fish and fishery products intended for export, ensuring compliance with the relevant food safety regulatory requirements in Myanmar and the respective export markets. To align with international standards and requirements of importing countries, and to ensure consistency in the production and processing of fishery products within the ASEAN Member States, the DoF developed Directive (8/2018): Technical Regulation for Export and Import of Fishery Products. This directive, based on WTO-SPS agreement, mandates fishery establishments to implement the food safety management system throughout the supply chain. Myanmar exported live fish and shrimp and aquatic products such as dry fish, fish sauce, fermented fish and smoked fish to 40 countries including Thailand, China, Japan, Middle east countries, Singapore, Malaysia, and UAE. The top ten species exported by Myanmar include fish meal, Rohu, live mud crab, live eel, Plathukae, hilsa, soft shell crab, ribbon fish, threadfin bream, and big eye croaker. The primary export destinations are Thailand, China, the Saudi Arabia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Bangladesh, USA, UAE, and India.

The total export of aquatic products, including fish, prawn, and others, during the five fiscal years from 2019–2020 to 2023–2024 is shown in Figure 5. In the fiscal year 2023–2024, the total fish and fishery products exported by Myanmar was 0.53 millionMT, valued at USD 729.42 million.

In terms of quantity, the top ten species exported by Myanmar in the fiscal year 2023–2024 is shown in Table1, while the top ten destination countries is shown in Table 2.

Table1. Top ten aquatic species exported by Myanmar in 2023–2024 ranked by quantity (thousand MT) (DoF Myanmar, 2024)

Table 2. Top ten countries of destination of aquatic products exported by Myanmar in 2023–2024 ranked by quantity (thousand MT) (DoF Myanmar, 2024)

In terms of ranking by value, the top ten aquatic species exported by Myanmar in 2023–2024 is shown in Table 3 and Table 4 shows the destination countries.

Table 3. Top ten aquatic species exported by Myanmar in 2023–2024 ranked by value (DoF Myanmar, 2024)

Table 4. Top ten countries of destinations of aquatic species exported by Myanmar in 2023–2024 ranked by value (USD 1,000) (DoF Myanmar, 2024)

• Number of fishing vessels

The DoF has suspended the issuance of fishing licenses to foreign fishing vessels since the fiscal year 2015–2016 to protect and conserve marine fishery resources. Figure 6 illustrates the number of fishing license issuance for inshore non-powered and powered small-scale fishing boats, as well as offshore national fishing vessels from 2019 to 2024. These licenses permitted the use of various types of fishing gear, including trawls, purse seines, drift nets, stow nets, longlines, stick-held falling nets, and traps, depending on the respective state or region.

• Number of fishers and fish farmers

In 2023–2024 statistical data of DoF, the fisheries sector provided full-time employment to 482,226 individuals and part-time employment to 338,871 individuals including marine capture fisheries, inland fisheries, aquaculture and processing (Table 5).

Table 5. Number of fishers, fish farmers and workers in Myanmar in 2023–2024 (M: male, F: female) (DoF Myanmar, 2025)

International agreements and collaboration

ASEAN – The DoF cooperates and collaborates with other ASEAN Member States (AMSs) to develop the fisheries sector and supports the lead countries in developing guidelines and frameworks at the ASEAN level such as regional guidelines on indicators for aquaculture and capture fisheries to facilitate the adaptation to the impacts of climate change, Regional Strategies to encourage the implementation of the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication, Standard on ASEAN Good Aquaculture Practices for Food Fish, Guidelines for sharing, access to, and use of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing-related information. In addition, Myanmar adheres to ASEAN-developed guidelines such as ASEAN Guidelines for Preventing the Entry of Fish and Fishery Products from IUU Fishing Activities into the Supply Chain, the ASEAN Catch Documentation Scheme for Marine Capture Fisheries, Guideline for the Prudent Use of Antimicrobials in Aquaculture, Guideline on Techniques for Veterinary Drug Residue Detection in Aquaculture Products, Regional Guideline on Traceability System for Aquaculture Products in the ASEAN region, and Template on the Arrangement on the Equivalence of Fishery Products Inspection and Certification Systems. Myanmar has appointed focal persons to the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries and actively participates in the meetings and workshops conducted by ASEAN. Myanmar also facilitates hosting ASEAN meetings in the country.

AN-IUU – Myanmar has demonstrated proactive engagement with the ASEAN Network for IUU Fishing Detection (AN-IUU Network) by appointing both a focal and an alternative representative to advocate for the country’s interests within the network’s framework. Through this commitment, Myanmar collaborates closely with other ASEAN member states and stakeholders to address the pressing issue of IUU fishing. By actively participating in discussions, sharing relevant data and insights, and promoting positive relations with other participants, Myanmar plays an important role in enhancing the effectiveness of the AN-IUU platform. Through this collaborative effort, Myanmar aims to combat IUU fishing activities effectively, promote sustainable fishing practices, and protect marine ecosystems in the region.

SEAFDEC – Myanmar became a Member Country of Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in 1999 and has since collaborated with the organization for fisheries sector development. SEAFDEC consistently provides technical assistance for the development of the aquaculture and fisheries sector in Myanmar. The DoF dispatches representatives to attend capacity building trainings, workshops, meetings, and seminars conducted annually by SEAFDEC Departments including the Training Department (TD), Aquaculture Department (AQD), Marine Fisheries Resources Development (MFRD), Marine Fisheries Resources Development and Management Department (MFRDMD), and Inland Fisheries Resources Development and Management Department (IFRDMD). In 2024, Myanmar was able to send approximately 45 government officials to participate in SEAFDEC events. Currently, the DoF Myanmar has appointed an RFPN member for Myanmar at the SEAFDEC Secretariat to facilitate smooth communication on cooperation matters, support regional policy development, and strengthen the relationship between SEAFDEC and Myanmar.

TICA – Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) is one of the country’s key partners in providing technical assistance for the development of the fisheries sector. TICA supports capacity building training programs in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries Thailand, under the MoU on Fisheries Cooperation between Myanmar and Thailand. Additionally, TICA offers the Scholarship Programs for government officials, particularly in the fisheries and agriculture sectors.

NACA – Myanmar became a member of the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) in 1990. The DoF has assigned a focal person to ensure smooth communication between NACA and DoF. The DoF has also dispatched representatives to attend meetings, workshops and training organized by NACA, and NACA provides support for aquaculture techniques in fish and shrimp culture in Myanmar as well.

China – China is one of the top export destinations for Myanmar. In The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation has signed two protocols with the Bureau of Import and Export Food Safety of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC): the Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine, and Veterinary Sanitary Requirements for Wild Aquatic Products and the Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine, and Veterinary Sanitary Requirements for Farmed Aquatic Products to be exported from Myanmar to China. Currently, 83 processing establishments for fish and fishery products, 22 transit and packaging enterprises for edible aquatic animals, and four aquaculture farms are already registered with GACC for export from Myanmar to China. Furthermore, the DoF has implemented the projects titled “Improvement of the Quality Assurance System for Small and Medium – Sized Traditional Fishery Products Processing Establishments, Phase I and II” funded by Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund from 2019 to 2024. These projects aim to enhance product hygiene, nutritional value, and food security, while also increasing income generation and supporting SME entrepreneurs in Myanmar and the Lancang-Mekong Region.

Russia – The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation and the Federal Agency of Fisheries of the Russian Federation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Fisheries Cooperation in Saint Petersburg, Russia 2024. According to this MoU, the DoF Myanmar has proposed initiating online consultations between two parties to discuss cooperation areas supported for the sustainable fisheries sector development such as the prevention, deterrence, and elimination of IUU fishing, the exchange of information and data on fisheries of mutual interest, and the development and strengthening of networks between research organizations of both states in the fields of fishery and aquaculture.

Thailand – Thailand is a close neighboring country to Myanmar and provides various forms of support through multiple cooperation efforts. Additionally, Thailand is the top destination for Myanmar’s aquatic product exports. In 2017, the Department of Fisheries Myanmar and the Department of Fisheries Thailand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in the fisheries sector development for five years. In 2022, both sides agreed to extend the MoU for another five years until 2027. Under this MoU, the DoF Myanmar and Thailand have cooperated on various projects aimed at fisheries sector development. These projects include the Joint Research Project on Production Technology of the Economic important species Giant Butter Catfish (Silonia silondia), Capacity Building Program under the project on the development of Shrimp Culture Demonstration Center in Rakhine State, the project on the Development of a Model Community Fish Pond in Maungdaw and the Enhancement of the Capacity of Myothagyee Hatchery and cooperation in combating IUU Fishing. According to the Joint Research Project under the MoU, a technical team from the Department of Fisheries Thailand arrived in Myanmar on 29 April 2024 to transfer 50 giant butter catfish fingerlings to Thailand for continuous research. Currently, the Department of Fisheries Thailand is conducting fish production research of that species at the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Freshwater Research and Development Center. Furthermore, the Department of Fisheries Thailand has agreed to share technology and experiences through training and workshops supported by TICA upon the successful completion of the research and to recognize the indigenous species to indigenous of Myanmar when the research paper is published. Due to the current situation in Rakhine State, the Department of Fisheries Thailand has suspended the project on the development of the Shrimp Demonstration Center in Rakhine State. However, the Department of Fisheries Thailand continues to support capacity-building programs in cooperation with Thai International Cooperation Agency (TICA) under this project. In combating IUU fishing, both sides have assigned focal points to facilitate real-time communication for information exchange and document verification.

Acknowledgements

I would like to express sincere gratitude to the Director General and Deputy Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Myanmar, for approving the use of fishery statistical data. I also appreciate the Director of the Research and Development Division for the recommendations and edits on this report. In addition, I am grateful to the Director of the Kachin State Fisheries Department, Ms. Ohnmar Moe; Fisheries Officer at the Planning, Statistics, and Rural Development Section, Mr.Ye Kyaw; Fisheries Officer at the Research and Development Division, Ms. Nay Chi Cho Lynn; Deputy Officer of the Fisheries Management Division, Ms. Soe Myat Thu; responsible person from the International Relations and Project Section; and others who provided valuable information who helped in compiling the information for this fisheries country profile.

References

Department of Fisheries Myanmar. (2024). Fishery Statistics 2023. www.dof.gov.mm

About the Author

I am Deputy Officer in the International Relations and Project Section of the Research and Development Division, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Myanmar. My primary responsibilities include facilitating negotiations and communications with foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs to implement fisheries development projects, as well as coordinating the participation of national representatives in international seminars, workshops, and training programs.

In addition, I serve as a negotiation officer for the national-level implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and act as the Assistant Chief Information Officer (ACIO) for the Department of Fisheries’ e-Government System. Furthermore, I work as a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) officer in the M&E Unit under the Department of Fisheries, Myanmar.

At present, I represent a member for Myanmar in the Regional Fisheries Policy Network (RFPN) program at Secretariat Office of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) in Bangkok, Thailand, for the 2025 term.

Cho Mar Oo
Deputy Officer
International Relation and Project Section, Research and Development Division,
Department of Fisheries.

Address: Office No (36), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Union Territory, Zabuthiri Township, 15011, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
Contact Number: +95-9-420703564 (WhatsApp)
Email: chomaroo86@outlook.com