Narinjara,September 18, 2024

Though the junta strictly prohibits locals from fishing in thesea off Arakan (Rakhine) State it is allowing companies with junta ties, fromelsewhere in Myanmar, to fish there.

According to locals, the companies, based in Yangon,Ayeyarwady, and Tanintharyi regions have sent large fishing trawlers to theregion. Locals saw them engaging in large-scale fishing of the coast of ZinChaung Village in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State.

A resident of Kyaukphyu Township said: "These companiesdon’t fish with small boats like the locals. They use large trawlers with bigfishing nets. Even along the shore of Kyaukphyu, we can see about eight ofthese vessels, and there may be another 20 out at sea. Their fishing areaextends close to the beach, and they operate day and night.”

A Kyaukphyu Township fisherman explained that the trawlers areowned by companies from other regions that have junta ties or that senior juntaofficials have stakes in.

He said: "We’ve learned that these fishing trawlers areowned by companies close to the junta, including those where the junta'sgenerals and colonels have investments. Most of these trawlers are directlyconnected to the junta.”

Whilst the junta is plundering Arakan fish stocks, he saidthat Arakan people have been banned from fishing and are facing economichardships and experiencing depression.

He continued: “We, the local people, have been banned fromfishing in the waters of our own land, whilst outside companies close to thejunta are free to fish in Arakan State. We, the Arakanese, are facing thisunfair situation, staring at the sea with heavy hearts as we struggle withhunger and hardship.”

After agriculture, fishing is the second largest industry inArakan State. Since the ceasefire in Arakan State between the AA and the juntabroke down and fighting resumed, on 13 November 2023, the junta has bannedlocals from fishing off shore from all Arakan State townships, includingSittwe, Pauktaw, Kyaukphyu, Ramree, Myebon, Manaung, and Thandwe.

Another Kyaukphyu resident said: "Fishing in Kyaukphyu isnow completely banned. Junta troops confiscate fishing boats even if they areused in the Ngalapway Stream and off Pyin Phyu Maw, which are on the coast.Fishermen [found fishing] are usually arrested on the spot and taken to localpolice stations, where they are then transferred to Kyaukphyu and imprisoned.Those who can pay bribes are often jailed for six months, while those whocannot face up to a year in prison. Most fishermen are now struggling financiallyand are grappling with huge debts.”

A former elected MP from Kyaukphyu Township criticised the waylocal Arakanese people are banned from fishing whilst large companies fromelsewhere in the country are allowed to fish freely. He said it is a form ofracist oppression.

"This is racial discrimination and oppression. Localpeople engaged in small-scale fishing for their livelihood are imprisoned,while large-scale fishing by trawlers owned by junta-aligned companies isallowed to operate freely. If the junta does not take effective action againstthese mainland trawlers, it suggests that the junta is deliberately targeting,oppressing, and creating difficulties for the local Arakanese people,” he said.