Though the junta strictly prohibits locals from fishing in the sea off Arakan (Rakhine) State it is allowing companies with junta ties, from elsewhere in Myanmar, to fish there.
According to locals, the companies, based in Yangon, Ayeyarwady, and Tanintharyi regions have sent large fishing trawlers to the region. Locals saw them engaging in large-scale fishing of the coast of Zin Chaung Village in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State.
A resident of Kyaukphyu Township said: "These companies don’t fish with small boats like the locals. They use large trawlers with big fishing nets. Even along the shore of Kyaukphyu, we can see about eight of these vessels, and there may be another 20 out at sea. Their fishing area extends close to the beach, and they operate day and night.”
A Kyaukphyu Township fisherman explained that the trawlers are owned by companies from other regions that have junta ties or that senior junta officials have stakes in.
He said: "We’ve learned that these fishing trawlers are owned by companies close to the junta, including those where the junta's generals and colonels have investments. Most of these trawlers are directly connected to the junta.”
Whilst the junta is plundering Arakan fish stocks, he said that Arakan people have been banned from fishing and are facing economic hardships and experiencing depression.
He continued: “We, the local people, have been banned from fishing in the waters of our own land, whilst outside companies close to the junta are free to fish in Arakan State. We, the Arakanese, are facing this unfair situation, staring at the sea with heavy hearts as we struggle with hunger and hardship.”
After agriculture, fishing is the second largest industry in Arakan State. Since the ceasefire in Arakan State between the AA and the junta broke down and fighting resumed, on 13 November 2023, the junta has banned locals from fishing off shore from all Arakan State townships, including Sittwe, Pauktaw, Kyaukphyu, Ramree, Myebon, Manaung, and Thandwe.
Another Kyaukphyu resident said: "Fishing in Kyaukphyu is now completely banned. Junta troops confiscate fishing boats even if they are used in the Ngalapway Stream and off Pyin Phyu Maw, which are on the coast. Fishermen [found fishing] are usually arrested on the spot and taken to local police stations, where they are then transferred to Kyaukphyu and imprisoned. Those who can pay bribes are often jailed for six months, while those who cannot face up to a year in prison. Most fishermen are now struggling financially and are grappling with huge debts.”
A former elected MP from Kyaukphyu Township criticised the way local Arakanese people are banned from fishing whilst large companies from elsewhere in the country are allowed to fish freely. He said it is a form of racist oppression.
"This is racial discrimination and oppression. Local people engaged in small-scale fishing for their livelihood are imprisoned, while large-scale fishing by trawlers owned by junta-aligned companies is allowed to operate freely. If the junta does not take effective action against these mainland trawlers, it suggests that the junta is deliberately targeting, oppressing, and creating difficulties for the local Arakanese people,” he said.
