Assessing the conditions for compliance in the squid light fisheries in Myeik, Myanmar

Abstract

Light fishing is one of the most advanced and successful methods in several fisheries worldwide. Light fishing operations in Myanmar involve using light luring methods in inshore and offshore fisheries, especially for catching squids and pelagic fishes in squid seine (stick-held falling net) and purse seine vessels. Technological advancements have led fishers to use more power, light intensity, and small mesh-size fishing net to increase catches. The results have decreased the catches of squids and increased the catches of immature fish and vulnerable pelagic species. These negative impacts result from fishers’ non-compliance with the regulations of light fishing in Myanmar. This study assesses fishers’ knowledge and compliance with light fishing regulations in Myanmar, with a focus on the fishers in the Myeik offshore fisheries. The study explores the possible reasons why fishers disobey the existing regulations of light fishing with the four different hypotheses (ignorance, lack of opportunities, disagreement, and profit-maximising behaviour) to postulate reasons for non-compliance. Profit-maximising behaviour is perceived to be more significant despite the interrelations between the four hypotheses for predicting possible reasons for non-compliance. Weaknesses and insufficient monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS) systems in the department of fisheries (DoF) contribute to fishers’ non-compliance with the regulations of light fishing in Myanmar.

Keywords: light fishing, MCS, compliance, and legitimacy, Myeik offshore fishery.