Shrimp breeders in cyclone-hit Arakan State face shortages of shrimp fries

By Admin 30 Jun 2023

DMG Newsroom
30 June 2023, Sittwe

Shrimp hatchery businesses were damaged by Cyclone Mocha, and naturally caught shrimp fry are rare and cannot be purchased, so shrimp farm operators in Arakan State are facing difficulties.

Last year, shrimp fries were bought from shrimp hatcheries, but because the hatcheries were damaged by the storm, shrimp farm operators are having trouble raising shrimp this year.

“We can’t buy shrimp fries from anywhere anymore. It will be convenient for shrimp breeders to have hatchlings. If we don’t get shrimp fries, there is no income for us,” said U Than Maung, a shrimp breeder from Ngapyitet Village in Pauktaw Township.

There are three shrimp hatcheries in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu townships in Arakan State, and 52 shrimp farms. Two shrimp hatcheries in Sittwe Township were destroyed by Cyclone Mocha.

There are difficulties running the damaged shrimp hatcheries, buildings and business equipment that have not been repaired, according to shrimp hatcheries operators.

“Shrimp breeders are in trouble because shrimp hatcheries have to stop operations,” said U Moe Swe, manager of the Aungtaing shrimp hatchery in Sittwe Township.

The equipment used in shrimp hatcheries is ordered from abroad, so it may take four to five months to repair the damaged ones.

“The equipment used in shrimp hatcheries was completely destroyed, so I think it will take a long time to repair the equipment,” said U Kyaw Tun Zan, chief of the Yaychanpyin shrimp hatchery in Sittwe Township.

Shrimp fries produced by shrimp hatcheries in Arakan State are bought by prawn breeders in townships such as Pauktaw, Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, Minbya and Myebon.

“We don’t run other businesses and we rely on shrimp breeding for our livelihood. We buy shrimp fries from Aungtaing and Yaychanpyin shrimp hatcheries. We hope fishery officials will sell shrimp fries as soon as possible,” said U Than Tun, a shrimp breeder from Kanchaung Village in Pauktaw Township.

Thousands of homes and buildings, as well as the marine industry, agriculture and livestock industries, were devastated by Cyclone Mocha, which made landfall over Arakan State with destructive force on May 14.

The junta has said it will help rehabilitate the fisheries and livestock industries damaged by the storm, but it is unclear when or how large the budget allocated will be.