Fisheries Single Window (FSW)
Department of Fisheries Myanmar logo
The Republic of the Union of MyanmarMinistry of Agriculture, Livestock and IrrigationDepartment of Fisheries (DOF)

About the Department of Fisheries

Stewarding Myanmar's fisheries resources for food security, sustainability and national prosperity.

Officers

382

Staff

2,194

Since 1954

70+

Policy

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

Vision

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

Background & History

The Department of Fisheries was originally organized with the objectives of conserving fisheries resources, ensuring food security through sustainable fish consumption, and contributing aquaculture technology to the people of Myanmar.

Established in June 1954 as a fisheries project section under the Land and Rural Development Cooperation with 6 officers and 70 staff, the Department was elevated to a Fisheries Division in 1961, then formally became the Department of Fisheries in March 1972 under a Director General.

Through successive reorganizations in 1990, 2002, 2012 and 2014, the Department steadily grew its capacity for aquaculture, marine and freshwater conservation, and quality control. Today, the Department of Fisheries operates with 382 officers and 2,194 staff, including the newly expanded Fisheries Institute (Twan Tay) established in 2023.

Objectives

  1. 1
    Promulgation of fisheries laws and implementation of action plans aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
  2. 2
    Availability of qualified information and collection of statistical data related to the fisheries sector in line with standard indicators.
  3. 3
    Systematic implementation of fisheries co-management and an ecosystem approach to improve fisheries management.
  4. 4
    Development of the aquaculture industry through advanced techniques including Good Aquaculture Practices (GAP).
  5. 5
    Implementation of research, extension and awareness services, and human resources development for the sustainable use of fisheries resources.
  6. 6
    Compliance with quality standards of fishery products aligned with international market requirements.

Strategic Plans

  • Collaboration with local and international organizations and development partners to implement plans and projects formulated in line with national policies.
  • Continuous amendment of fisheries laws and regulations to align with international standards and best practices.
  • Implementation of the National Plan of Action Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing.
  • Promotion of conservation areas for marine and freshwater resources in critically important habitats.
  • Strengthening community fisheries organizations to improve resource management and rural development.
  • Adoption of climate-smart fish species and related breeding and culture techniques.
  • Strengthening human resources via Technical & Vocational Training (T-VET), Pre-Employment and On-Job Training.
  • Facilitating export of fishery products in compliance with WTO Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) agreements and standards.