Department of Fisheries

Department of Fisheries

Background History of Department of Fisheries

1. Departement of Fisheries is organized with the objectives of the conservation of fisheries resources, food securityof sustainable fish consumption and contribution of aquaculture technology for the people.

2. As the fisheries project section, Department of Fisheries was established with 6 officers and 70 staffs under Land and Rural Development Cooperation since June, 1954. On the date of 24^th March 1961, Department of Fisheries was extended as Fisheries Division under Land and Rural Development Cooperation leading by one director including 9 officers and 183 staffs.

3. After emerging of new administrative system, Fisheries Division was transformed as Department of Fisheries leading by Director General with 9 officers and 183 staffs since 15^th March 1972. In November 1984, temporary task force for the plan of action on revenue of fishing gear licenses was temporarily organized with the number of 216 staffs within 1984-85 fiscal year and 1986-87 fiscal year. Since April, 1985, the total numbers of 89 staffs from aquarium staffs under People’s Workforce Rehabilitation Association were transferred to Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Affair.

4. Under the State Law and Restoration Council, the Department of Fisheries was allowed to extend his organization structure with 103 officers and 1251 staffs in line with the increasing duties and responsibilities at 31^st January 1990. Since April, 1990, total numbers of 129 employees from resources survey section, aquaculture research and production section and Institute of fishing technology from Myanmar Fisheries Enterprise were transferred to Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.

5. Then, two officers and 82 staffs from Fisheries Institute of Agriculture Industry and Vocational Education Department under Ministry of Education were transferred into the workforces of Department of Fisheries under Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries on 1^st January 1997.

6. The organization structure of the Department of Fisheries was again reorganized with 191 officers and 1638 staffs in April, 2002. In August 2012, the Department of Fisheries was extended with the 196 officers and 1704 staffs introduced with the new organization structure of Nay Pyi Taw Council Area (5 officers and 66 staffs). Since May, 2014, the recent organization structure of the Department of Fisheries was restructured again with 365 officers and 2104 staffs.

Vision

Sustainable development of fisheries sector for food security, improvement of the socio-economic of rural people and contribution to the economic development of the nation based on fisheries industry.

Objectives

(a) Promulgation of fisheries laws and implementation of action plans in line with the sustainable development goals.

(b) Availability of qualified information and collection of statistical data related to fisheries sector in line with the standard indicators.

(d) Development of aquaculture industry by implementation of advanced techniques including Good Aquaculture Practices.

(e) The implementation of research and development, extension and awareness services, and human resources development oriented towards sustainable use of fisheries resources.

(f) The compliance with quality standards of fishery products aligned with the market requirements.

Policy

Ensuring food security, food safety and sustainable development of fisheries sector by conservation of fisheries resources in accordance with the fisheries laws.

Plans

(a) For fisheries development, collaboration with local, international organizations and development partners to implement plans and projects formulated in accordance with the policies.

(b) The compliance of the fisheries laws and rules and regulations amended, updated and aligned with international standards, best practice and provisions.

(d) Obtaining technical assistance from local and international organizations for the development of a system for data collection, analysis and information dissemination system for fisheries management.

(e) The establishment of accurate operational frame work for systematic improvement and implementation of fisheries co-management and ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

(f) Implementation of the fisheries co-management and ecosystem approach to fisheries management, by promoting community fisheries organizations and their fisheries co-management committees, capacity building, gender promotion (women empowerment) and provision of technical assistance to fisheries sector.

(g) Implementation of National Plan of Action Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.

(h) Promoting collaboration with related Ministries, Local, Regional and International Organizations for the implementation of the International, and Regional provisions, ASEAN declarations and commitments.

(i) Promotion of conservation areas for marine and freshwater resources in critically important habitats.

(j) Promotion of community fisheries organizations for improved fisheries resource management and rural development.

(k) Allowing import of high quality fish/ shrimp seeds and brood-stock and producing genetically improved fish species.

(l) Conservation of indigenous fish species and conducting research in breeding and culture of those species.

(m) Cooperation with public, private and local/ international organizations for the promotion of sustainable fresh water and marine aquaculture industries.

(n) Adoption of climate-smart fish species and their related breeding and culture techniques.

(o) Cooperation with regional and international organizations for preventing and controlling of fish and shrimp diseases.

(p) Encouraging the production and extensive application of qualified compound feed in aquaculture sub-sector.

(q) Strengthening human resources development, by enhancement of fisheries related technical and vocational training (T-Vet), pre-employment training (PET), and on job training (OJT).

(r) Conducting routine research on marine and freshwater habitats for fish species identification and stock assessment.

(s) Enhancing research activities in support of fisheries management and development.

(t) Conducting research in conservation and protection of enlisted endangered aquatic species and their habitats.

(u) Strengthening development and research by promoting cooperation with international and regional scientific and best practice organizations.

(v) Facilitating export of fishery products in accordance with the regional and international market requirements, and in compliance with Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) agreements and standards of the World Trade Organization.

(w) Monitoring and controlling the production and processing of fishery products in line with the food safety standards of importing countries, and as documented in the official control manual of Department of Fisheries.

(x) Providing technical assistance to Small and Medium Enterprises for the improvement of quantity and quality of fishery products.

(y) Ensuring maintenance and enhancement of the capacities of Laboratories recognized by international ISO: 17025 certification for control and inspection of quality fishery products.

Organizational Structure of Department of Fisheries

Department of Fisheries is organized by the leading of Director General, Deputy Director General and 19 Directors with 2469 total employees of365 officers and 2104 staffs.

Department of Fisheries is operating the duties and responsibilities applying the existing laws and regulations of Myanmar Marine Fisheries Law, Law Relating to Fishing Rights of Foreign Fishing Vessels, Fresh Water Fisheries Law and Aquaculture Law with 15 sub-sections under four different divisions namely Administrative and Finance Division, Aquaculture Division, Fisheries Revenue and Supervision Section and Research and Development Division.

Link to: http://www.dof.gov.mm