DFM Myanmar

Myanmar in its region (Wikimedia Commons)

Myanmar (formerly Burma), is a country in Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand. It has a coastline of 1,930 km. The majority of Myanmar’s population is rural, with the density of settlement in each region related to agricultural production, particularly of rice. Although city populations have been growing, the pace of urbanization has not been as rapid in Myanmar as it has been in most other countries of Southeast Asia [1].

Dried Fish in Myanmar

In common with many of its neighbours in Southeast Asia, rice and fish are key staples in Myanmar. Fish, commonly small fresh fish, dried fish, fish paste and fermented fish products from inland are considered as the major animal protein sources and, have observed to exceed other animal protein sources such as meat and eggs in local markets by a factor of 10:1 [2]. Fish paste and dried fish are mostly produced in coastal regions in Rahkine state and Tanintharyi region in Myanmar. Myanmar’s dried fish are mainly exported to India, while the other marketable fish are being exported to China, Thailand, Singapore, Kuwait, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Bangladesh and the United Kingdom [3].

The DFM Myanmar Team

Mr. Thant Zin Phyo (NAG): Masters’ Candidate

Mr. Aye Min Tun (NAG): Masters’ Candidate

Mr. Wae Win Khaing (NAG): Research Officer

Mr. Yin Nyein (NAG): Program Quality Manager

Mr. Bobby Maung (NAG): Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Thaung Htut (WCS): Research Officer

Dr. Ben Belton: Dr.Ben Belton is the Michigan State University (MSU)’s project representative in Myanmar. He will provide support to NAG and WCS in design, training, implementation and analysis for all project scoping related activities and will draw on research assistance from graduate research assistants at MSU to support data analysis activities.

Partner Organisations

Network Activities Group (NAG)

Network Activities Group (NAG) is a registered and non-profit and non-government organization in Myanmar, established in 2008, and proactively engaging in improving fisheries governance in all delta and coastal areas of Myanmar. NAG has physical coverage of 12 states/regions out of 14 states/regions with 25 project offices.

Wildlife Conservation Society Myanmar Program (WCS)

WCS has been working in Myanmar for over two decades and operates through MoUs with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (Department of Fisheries). They have developed strong ties with local partners, developed a suite of pilot projects (in southern Rakhine State, with others emerging in Mon State and Ayeyarwady and Tanintharyi Regions), and committed ourselves to working with partners to secure new data and knowledge to inform sustainable fisheries co-management. Together with Michigan State University, WCS anticipates playing a leadership role in the DFM project including serving as a member of the Myanmar country-level working group.

Significant Publications on Dried fish-Myanmar

Ng, W., Soe, M., & Phone, H. (2007). Aquafeeds in Myanmar: A change from farm-made to factory-made feeds. Aquaculture Asia, 12(3), 7.

Belton, B., Hein, A., Htoo, K., Kham, L. S., Nischan, U., Reardon, T., & Boughton, D. (2015). Aquaculture in transition: value chain transformation, fish and food security in Myanmar(No. 1879-2017-1653).