Fisheries Department takes action against fishing trawlers without turtle-saving gear

By DMG 30 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
30 May 2022, Sittwe 

The Arakan State Fisheries Department has taken action against nine fishing trawlers that failed to install turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in their fishing nets. 

The department sanctioned three fishing trawlers from Sittwe and six from Kyaukphyu that did not install TEDs, which are designed to allow captured sea turtles to escape when caught in a fishing net. It imposed a fine of K500,000 each on the licenced fishing trawlers and impounded three unlicensed fishing trawlers, according to the department’s director, U Thet Oo. 

“They were arrested at sea by the Navy. We have told fishing trawlers to install TEDs. But they don’t listen. We have told them to use TEDs because turtles are endangered species,” he said. 

Turtles are an important part of marine ecosystems, U Thet Oo added. 

“Fish and prawn eat algae in the sea. If not eaten, algae will grow and have a poisonous effect on the sea,” he explained. “But when there are plenty of algae because of weather and changes in the current, fish and prawns can’t eat it up. And algae are eaten up by turtles. So, they are crucial for the ecosystem.” 

Only a few fishing trawlers in Gwa Township have installed TEDs, said Ko Thar Gyi from Pone Nyet village, who is from a local group dedicated to turtle conservation. 

“Some fishing trawlers hand over turtles caught by them. However, they don’t install TEDs. We have been educating fishers not to kill and eat turtles if they catch them,” he said. 

Only some trawlers have installed TEDs in Pauktaw Township, said a fishing businessman who asked for anonymity. 

Of the world’s seven known species of sea turtles, five are found in Myanmar’s waters.