Almost all fishing industry in Mon State has stopped due to a block on fish exports, the impacts caused by Covid-19 and the current political situations said fish entrepreneurs.

U Thet Win Paing, a fish entrepreneur said: “We mainly export fish to China and neighboring countries. As there is no money in circulation and fuel prices are rising, the fish industry cannot cover costs. Now fish exports have totally stopped. We have to sell fish locally. Now we only sell fish in Mawlamyine, Mudon and Thanbyuzayat.”

Due to the shutdown of the fish industry, around 20,000 fishing workers in Mon State are jobless. Most fishing entrepreneurs will continue providing assistance to local fishing workers.

U Myint Soe, Chair of Mon State Fishing Entrepreneurs Association: “The impacts caused by the COVID-19 and political situation have all worsened the fisheries industry. I worry that the fishing industry may not return to normal when the fishing season sets in.”

The non-fishing season in Myanmar is from May 1 to July 31. As of August 1, the fishing industry can re-start every year, according to the Mon State Fishery Federation.

More than 1,000 on-shore and off-shore fishing vessels are fishing in Mon State. Fishes are exported to ten townships in Mon State and Yangon via the wholesale fishing center in Mawlamyine.

The anti-coup protests are gaining momentum nationwide. Most local businesses are unable to run due to the impacts of COVID-19.

The banking industry and export-import businesses have stopped.