Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Prohibition Regulations Issued by Arakkha Government

News January 10, 2026

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management under the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government issued regulations yesterday concerning the conservation of fish and aquatic resources in Rakhine State.

Local residents relying on these resources in Rakhine State are urged to comply with the announced regulations.

The announcement includes five prohibitions:

1. It is prohibited to catch, kill, or sell rare aquatic animals such as sea turtles, dugongs (sea cows), sharks, Irrawaddy dolphins, dolphins, and whales.

2. It is prohibited to catch fish using poison, electric shock (electro-fishing), or explosive materials.

3. It is prohibited to catch fish using prohibited gears / methods.

4. It is prohibited to cut down or clear mangrove forests / coastal mangroves (tidal forests) in ways that could damage the ecosystem where aquatic animals breed, survive, and feed.

5. If violations of these prohibitions are discovered, action will be taken effectively in accordance with the fisheries law, as stated in the announcement.

The Arakan People's Revolutionary Government explained that these prohibitions are issued to prevent the extinction of local fish species, to preserve the aquatic ecosystem, and to proactively protect against potential future food shortages.

On the other hand, due to the use of prohibited fishing methods, fish species have become scarce, causing difficulties for traditional fishermen in their catches.

"The reason shrimp and fish have become rare is because of people using chemicals in rivers and streams to catch them. It's not that the fish species have completely disappeared. Right now, they are at the level of being rare. The species still exist, but they are no longer abundant like before," said Ko Aung Than Win, a 30-year-old fisherman.

Additionally, on December 25 last year, the Arakan People's Revolutionary Government issued an announcement prohibiting the catching, killing, and selling of migratory winter birds in the Rakhine region.

source@onenationnews