Aquaculture industry in cyclone grips

The recent cyclone in Myanmar (Burma) is expected to severely hit the country's agriculture and aquaculture industries.

The cyclone has devastated the five states of Myanmar. These states own 80 percent of the country's fish aquaculture ponds and 26 per cent of the shrimp aquaculture ponds. It is said that if flood occur then fish and shrimps might have escaped from the ponds. These five states produce 65 percent of the country’s rice and have about 50 percent of all irrigated areas. All these are under great threat of cyclone’s aftermath.

These states are famous for livestock production and the cyclone hits the agriculture and fisheries sectors badly. FOA is expecting big problems for small scale livestock holders and is carrying out joint assessments of food needs, damage and needs assessment in the agricultural, livestock and fisheries sectors as well as looking at livelihoods and natural resource issues in the most affected areas.

Even UN clusters are also swung into action, and the examining the need for a flash appeal. It is hard to asses the actual loss of aquaculture industry as there are many areas affected by this cyclone and mane fishermen lost their bread and butter in this natural calamity. The government also taking steps to protect farmers and fishermen from further losses by providing them immediate support to recover rural livelihoods.

Source: TheFishSite News Desk"

WorldFishingToday d. 08-05-2008