The Gulf of Mottama (GoM) with its unique intertidal ecosystem with diverse fish species is no exceptional in supporting important Small-Scaled Fishery (SSF) for local people residing in its coastal region and the river systems. In the GoM, the Sittaung River and its tributaries are one of the crucial river systems which supporting one of the migratory routes of several diadromous fish species as it supports crucial habitats for breeding and feeding migratory fish species. Due to co-founding conservation threats in the river and the gulf, conservation actions are required for the sustainability of the fishery.

In order to take effective conservation actions for the important fish species, the understanding on social context of local fishers in relation to the targeted fishery is still limited. Therefore, the study will explore “social potential” from the communities to effectively participate and support on the fishery conservation activities. Therefore, the study conducted in two potential conservation zones to understand the interest of communities and assess social potential to implement community-based fishery conservation activities in Sittaung river and major tributaries.

The study captured the fishery as major source of income for the study sites and identified five important fish species for conservation: Pama croaker, Paradise Threadfin, Mullet, Hilsa Shad and Seabass. Similar to other studies in the regions, the communities reported that overfishing, illegal fishing, changes and degradation of river ecosystem, unregulated extractions of resources and climate change as major conservation threats. In order to accommodate these threats, the study recorded the over 90% of the respondents interested in fishery conservation. The requested approaches include consultation and awareness raising about conservation issues, combating illegal fishing, seasonal closure for selected fishing gears, no fishing seasons for important fish species and, to effectively enforce all these activities, establishment of locally managed fishery conservation zones are suggested. However, there are some respondents who were worried about adverse impacts from the conservation actions, and they are suggesting mitigation actions such as supports for alternative livelihoods, financial support during close seasons and change of fishing gears or fishing ground.

The study further explored the social potential of the community: leadership, trust, social cohesion, communication, and knowledge in each study site. The social potential scores suggested that with intensive supports from stakeholders, the communities will be able to implement fishery conservation activities in the community. Therefore, the study recommended to move forward in establishing fishery conservation zone with further assessment and engagement with the communities. To strengthen the social potential throughout the process of establishment of fishery conservation zones is also recommended in the study.