- Web Master
- September 16, 2024
Narinjara, September 18, 2024
A resident of Kyaukphyu Township said: "These companies
don’t fish with small boats like the locals. They use large trawlers with big
fishing nets. Even along the shore of Kyaukphyu, we can see about eight of
these vessels, and there may be another 20 out at sea. Their fishing area
extends close to the beach, and they operate day and night.”
A Kyaukphyu Township fisherman explained that the trawlers are
owned by companies from other regions that have junta ties or that senior junta
officials have stakes in.
He said: "We’ve learned that these fishing trawlers are
owned by companies close to the junta, including those where the junta's
generals and colonels have investments. Most of these trawlers are directly
connected to the junta.”
Whilst the junta is plundering Arakan fish stocks, he said
that Arakan people have been banned from fishing and are facing economic
hardships and experiencing depression.
He continued: “We, the local people, have been banned from
fishing in the waters of our own land, whilst outside companies close to the
junta are free to fish in Arakan State. We, the Arakanese, are facing this
unfair situation, staring at the sea with heavy hearts as we struggle with
hunger and hardship.”
After agriculture, fishing is the second largest industry in
Arakan State. Since the ceasefire in Arakan State between the AA and the junta
broke down and fighting resumed, on 13 November 2023, the junta has banned
locals from fishing off shore from all Arakan State townships, including
Sittwe, Pauktaw, Kyaukphyu, Ramree, Myebon, Manaung, and Thandwe.
Another Kyaukphyu resident said: "Fishing in Kyaukphyu is
now completely banned. Junta troops confiscate fishing boats even if they are
used 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 local
police stations, where they are then transferred to Kyaukphyu and imprisoned.
Those who can pay bribes are often jailed for six months, while those who
cannot face up to a year in prison. Most fishermen are now struggling financially
and are grappling with huge debts.”
A former elected MP from Kyaukphyu Township criticised the way
local Arakanese people are banned from fishing whilst large companies from
elsewhere in the country are allowed to fish freely. He said it is a form of
racist oppression.
"This is racial discrimination and oppression. Local
people engaged in small-scale fishing for their livelihood are imprisoned,
while large-scale fishing by trawlers owned by junta-aligned companies is
allowed to operate freely. If the junta does not take effective action against
these mainland trawlers, it suggests that the junta is deliberately targeting,
oppressing, and creating difficulties for the local Arakanese people,” he said.