Junta bans fishermen from waters off coast of Arakan State’s Ngapali

By Admin 14 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 November 2023, Thandwe

The Myanmar junta has banned local fishermen in Ngapali, Arakan State, from fishing in waters off the coast, saying that warships will be moving in those waters for the foreseeable future amid renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army (AA).

Fishermen said they were informed by the township administrator on November 13 that fishing boats that were still at sea should also be brought back to port.

“We signed a pledge that we would not go out to fish yesterday. I don’t know exactly how long the fishing ban will be in place,” said a local fisherman from Jeittaw Ward in Ngapali, Thandwe Township.

Fishing is the main business for Ngapali locals, who are worried that they will face livelihood difficulties due to the ban.

“The workers who work on the fishing boats have many difficulties making a living if they do not work for two days,” said Ko Tin Soe, a local fisherman in Ngapali.

Junta soldiers on Monday also prohibited local residents in Kyaukphyu Township from fishing in coastal waters, according to fishermen there.

“I don’t know why the junta soldiers are banning us from fishing in the sea. We face livelihood hardships if we don’t go out to fish,” said U Aung Sein, a local fisherman from Kyaukphyu.

Myanmar’s military regime closed security checkpoints and blockaded roads and waterways across Arakan State on November 13 as clashes between the junta and the AA resumed in Rathedaung and Minbya townships, bringing vehicle and boat traffic to a standstill at several locations.