BURMA 



Shrimp production in Burma for 1555 and for each of the two^ 

 preceding years, was estimated to have been in the neighborhood of ^hz 

 million poimds. About 17^ million pounds of this quantity were marine 

 shrimp and the balance fresh-water shrimp, mainly from lovfer Burma. Of 

 the marine shriirp, it was estimated that 7 million pounds were caught in 

 the delta area of Burma, which includes the area from Pagoda Point at 

 the ocean end of the Bassein River estuary to Moulmein. About 32 million 

 pounds were taken along the Arakan coastal area, which includes the coast 

 from Pagoda Point up to the Pakistan border, and 7 million pounds were 

 from the Tenasserim coast, which stretches from Koulmein dovm to Victoria 

 Point , 



The marine-shrimp hatch at sea and then enter the fresh-water 

 rice paddies. After they have increased in size, they return to the 

 ocean to spawn. The Burmese fishermen catch them both coming and going. 

 The marine shrimp are caught mainly in stationary nets made of cotton. 

 Fishing is carried on from January to October in the rivers, and from 

 October to March in the estuaries. Fresh-water shrimp are caught in 

 floating traps made of bamboo. The traps are tapered with two guiding 

 barriers or wings constructed of bamboo posts and screens. The wings 

 are up to 225 feet long. This fishery produces almost 11 million pounds 

 in the Irrawaddy Delta area vjhere there are deep rice paddies. The 

 season extends from January to October. 



The predominant commercial species taken is Metapenaeus sp. 

 The next in importance is the fresh-water shrimp, Macrobrachium sp, , and 

 third is Penaeus sp. The first is estimated to average around 30 to 

 the pound (presuniaBly heads on) and is the smallest of the three species. 

 The second averages about 2 to the pound, many weighing as much as 1 

 pound each, Penaeus sp. averages about k to the pound. No canneries 

 or freezers exist in the industry. The shrimp are mainly dried or 

 smoked. Some larger shrimp are brought to the market iced. Inland 

 water transport boats bring large quantities of fresh iced shrimp to 

 the main markets in lower Burma, 



No shrimp are currently exported from Burma, Imports of dried 

 shrimp come principally from India, very small amounts have been received 

 from Pakistan, Japan, and Hong Kong, 



The government of Burma has not given any substantial assist- 

 ance to the development of the shrimp-fishing industry. So far only 

 small loans have been granted to cooperatives in the shrimp fishery for 

 purchase of boats and nets, but it is planned to increase the size of 

 the loans to supply the industry with materials needed for the shrimping. 



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