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RESEARCH FRONT
Contents Vol 70(9)

Migratory fishes in Myanmar rivers and wetlands: challenges for sustainable development between irrigation water control infrastructure and sustainable inland capture fisheries

John C. Conallin A H , Lee J. Baumgartner A , Zau Lunn B G , Michael Akester C , Nyunt Win D , Nyi Nyi Tun D , Maung Maung Moe Nyunt E , Aye Myint Swe E , Nyein Chan B and Ian G. Cowx F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute of Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 789, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.

B Fauna and Flora International, Room 706, Myay Nu Condo, Myay Nu Street, San Chaung Township, Yangon, 11111, Myanmar.

C WorldFish, Department of Fisheries, West Gyogone, Bayint Naung Road, Insein Township, 11181, Yangon, Myanmar.

D Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Office 36, Nay Pyi Taw, 15011, Myanmar.

E Department of Irrigation and Water Utilisation Management Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Office 36, Nay Pyi Taw, 15011, Myanmar.

F Hull International Fisheries Institute, University of Hull, Hull HU67RX, UK.

G Present address: Biology Department, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 5050, 100 Tucker Park Road, Saint John, NB, E2L 4L5, Canada.

H Corresponding author. Email: jconallin@csu.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 70(9) 1241-1253 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF19180
Submitted: 16 May 2019  Accepted: 3 July 2019   Published: 30 July 2019

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture and maintaining inland capture fisheries are both essential for food and nutrition security in Myanmar. However, irrigated agriculture through water control infrastructure, such as sluices or barrages, weirs and regulators, creates physical barriers that block migration routes of important fish species. Blocking of fish migration routes, leading to a degradation of inland capture fisheries, will undermine Myanmar’s efforts to develop sustainably and meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and the sustainability targets within the national Myanmar Sustainable Development Plans, as well as its Agricultural Development Strategy and Investment Plan. Despite the ambitious international and national targets, there is no explicit policy or legislation and no examples of where fish have been considered in the development or operation of irrigation infrastructure in Myanmar. Solutions are needed that provide opportunities to achieve multi-objective outcomes within irrigation infrastructure and water use. This can be achieved by increasing cross-sectoral collaboration in irrigation projects, improving capacity, increasing research within country by experts and providing technical solutions to aid in better management and mitigation options. This paper explores the various components of policy and governance, institutional and educational capacity and technical and management-based practices needed to plan and integrate better migratory fish and technical needs within irrigated agricultural infrastructure in Myanmar.

Additional keywords: cross-sector collaboration, fish barriers, fish migration, fish passage, food and nutrition security, sustainable development goals.


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