Rising fuel prices force fishing trawlers to suspend operations

By DMG 06 Jun 2022

DMG Newsroom
6 June 2022, Kyaukphyu 

More than one-third of permitted offshore fishing trawlers based out of Kyaukphyu have been forced to suspend their operations due to soaring fuel prices, according to the Kyaukphyu District Fisheries Department and local commercial fishermen. 

Authorities annually impose a three-month fishing ban during the time when fish lay eggs. This year, the ban spans April to June. But at the request of fishing businessmen, the Kyaukphyu District Fisheries Department has allowed 47 of 160 registered trawlers to fish during the prohibited period, said head of the department U Kyaw Hsint. 

Sixteen of them are not operating, however, due to increased fuel prices as a barrel of diesel reportedly hit K540,000 in the Arakan State capital Sittwe recently. 

“Our company has 20 fishing trawlers. And none of them are operating so far,” said a Kyaukphyu resident who asked for anonymity. “The fuel costs K2.5 million per day for a trawler. To compare, it previously cost only K1.5 million, maximum. We barely covered operational costs then, and we will even make a loss now. So, we dare not go out into the sea though authorities have allowed fishing.” 

The price of fuel has increased from around K300,000 per barrel in previous years to more than K500,000, he said. 

As many fishing trawlers have suspended operations, locals who work in the industry are jobless now, said Kyaukphyu resident Ko Thauk San. 

Inshore fishing trawlers are also struggling due to increased fuel prices, according to those involved in the industry.