The Gulf of Mottama Project (GoMP), in collaboration with Mon State Government, constructed the Fishery Training Center (FTC) in Thaton township, Mon State.
The FTC has the objective to promote the wise-use of natural eco-system services in the Gulf of Mottama with a special focus on fisheries. It is doing this by establishing trainings on fisheries co-management and enhanced governance in the fishery sector among stakeholders and increasing the awareness in the communities.
The training center serves as a critically important venue, not only for Mon State government officials to engage with fisher communities for policy implementation and law enforcement but for the community themselves who will gain important knowledge and technical inputs on coastal natural resources management issues of the Gulf of Mottama.
NAG’s program officer Yin Nyein said during the opening remark speech at the Fisheries Training Center that this center will act as a place for Department of Fisheries to train their staff and fisher groups in important skills they need to manage the natural resources of the Gulf of Mottama in a sustainable way.
Currently, fisheries and coastal natural resources management related training curriculums are under development by GoMP’s consortium partners. The opening of the Fisheries Training Center happened on July 9, 2018, by Mon State’s Chief Minister Dr. Aye Zan, who delivered the Keynote Speech.
Further in attendance where Union Permanent Secretary of MoALI, Dr. Khin Zaw, representative from SDC Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw, Chief Technical Advisor for GoMP - HELVETAS Myanmar, Mr. Jos van der Zanden and Ko Yin Nyein from NAG. The ceremony was concluded with a handing-over certificate and list of supporting equipment and materials to Director General of the Department of Fisheries.
The Gulf of Mottama Project was initiated in 2015, with the permission and collaboration of Mon State Government. Its major achievements are the establishment of the fourth Ramsar site in Myanmar in Bilin and Kyaikhto townships, the development of the Gulf of Mottama Management plan, improvements of the livelihoods of fishers and farmers and the designation of fishery co-management zone in Aung Kan Thar, Thaton Township, Mon State.
GoMP is a project of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation – SDC and is implemented by consortium led by HELVETAS Myanmar and further including IUCN, NAG and BANCA.