Patrol team deployed to protect dolphins from illegal fishing
03 Aug 2020 - Source: Global New Light of Myanmar - Patrol team will strictly combat illegal fishing to protect dolphins in Ayeyawady River, said U Tun Tun Win, head of Sagaing Region Fisheries Department. "We must take strict measures to curb illegal fishing", he added. Surveillance operations around the conservation area (1) were conducted by the team led by Deputy Director-General U Myint Zin Htoo of Fisheries Department accompanied by the officials of the respective departments, Ayeyawady Dolphin Conservation Society and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The deputy director-general instructed further measures to end electrocution of the fishermen, protect dolphins from illegal fishing and maintain living marine resources.
The pod of seven Ayeyawady dolphins were spotted during the surveillance operations near Nandawkyun village, Madaya Township, said U Tun Tun Win. This year, about six dolphins were killed along the Ayeyawady River by electrofishing. As a result of this, a team comprised of officials from Police Force, Fire Services Department, the General Administration Department and Fisheries Department will monitor the conservation areas along the Ayeyawady River. Additionally, there will be a surprise inspection to seize the dolphin hunters. The conservationists and dolphin lovers will also monitor illegal fishing along Ayeyawady River, and they will tip the nearest security team off. To protect endangered dolphins from extinction, Myanmar set conservation areas and conduct surveillance operations. According to the latest survey, there are over 70 Ayeyawady dolphins around 400 kilometres from Mandalay to Bhamo, Kachin State. An area between Male and Shwegu along Ayeyawady River is primary dolphin habitat.—Myo Win Tun/ Htet Myat (Translated by Ei Myat Mon)
