Arakan State fishermen burdened by rising equipment costs

By Admin 01 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
1 July 2023, Sittwe

Fishermen affected by Cyclone Mocha are having difficulty working in the fishing industry as the price of fishing equipment has increased in Arakan State.

The price of a fishing net has increased from K8,500 to K10,000, one viss of lead used in fishing nets has increased from K8,500 to K10,000, and the prices of other accessories have also increased.

“Fishing gear was destroyed by the cyclonic storm,” said Ko Naing Htay, a local fisherman from Hsintetmaw Village in Pauktaw Township. “The fishing equipment is expensive, so it is not convenient for me, so I repair the old ones to use them again. I cannot afford to buy new fishing gear. My home was destroyed by the cyclonic storm.”

Fishing gear is being shipped from Yangon, and the price of fishing equipment has also increased in part due to the appreciation of the US dollar and high transportation costs, fishing equipment dealers said.

“The price of fishing gear is on the rise and it is not easy for storm-hit fishermen to buy new fishing equipment. We cannot run our businesses smoothly,” said U Kyaw Naing, the owner of a fishing equipment shop at the Myoma Market in Sittwe.

Some fishermen said they are struggling to continue fishing after the storm, and so are working as cargo workers instead.

“We are struggling to make ends meet and are unable to repair the damaged fishing nets. Some fishermen earn a living as cargo workers in the market. Who will lend us money when people are facing various hardships? We are solving our difficulties like this,” said U Hla Maung, a local man from Paikseik Village in Sittwe Township.

The junta-appointed minister for transport, General Tin Aung San, at a meeting with local fisheries and livestock business owners in Sittwe on June 20, promised to help repair fishing boats and nets as quickly as possible, and supply new ones for those who have lost fishing equipment due to Cyclone Mocha.

However, fishermen who were affected by the storm said they have not received any assistance from the junta so far.