Fisheries are very important in Myanmar for both income and local consumption. There are, however, very limited data, especially on inshore fisheries. The Gulf of Mottama Project (GoMP) has worked with inshore fishers in the Gulf of Mottama (GoM) to assist in data collection and fisheries co-management since 2015. One of the major fish species landed in the GoM is Pama Croaker (Otolithoides pama), which is primarily purchased by processers who freeze the fish and export to China and other Asian countries. We have collected data on this species from one processing plant’s sub-station in Kyaikto Town, Mon State. 

Data were obtained on total landings from March 2016 to December 2022, and starting in 2018 we obtained data broken down by eight size categories. We determined weight for each size category initially by estimating average weight and then calculating length using an equation established by others in the nearby Bay of Bengal. Additionally, we carried out a one-time sampling to obtain length and weight for each size category to cross-check our estimates. These allowed us to estimate number of fish landed, estimated age, and value.

These estimates shed light on the state of the fishery since 2016. The total landings showed a five-fold increase of 115 metric tons (mt) from 2016 to 2019 with a slight increase in landings to 2022 in spite of COVID-19 and political troubles. The size category data indicated that in 2018 and 2019 the landings were dominated by small fish assumed to be 1 and 2 years old. In 2019 there was a very large recruitment of 1 and 2 year-old fish. Since 2020, medium sized fish of 3 to  5 years old have dominated the landings, suggesting the growth of the 2019 recruitment. This along with additional information suggests that this fishery may not have a steady state recruitment but periodic high recruitment and subsequent dominance by the successful year class. As a result, while fish landings in weight have increased since 2019 the estimated number of fish landed has declined from over 566,000 in 2019 to less than 450,000 in 2022. This is of considerable concern as there has been little recruitment of small fish since 2019.

Possible threats to successful recruitment are identified with the major one the capture of small and juvenile Pama Croaker by illegal small mesh (6mm) stake nets that are 1.5 to 4 km in length. Coordinated patrolling by stakeholders reduced the number of boats by 85% in 2018-19, however the illegal fishing has subsequently increased due to the current political situation. We suggest that a continuation of these patrols to reduce this fishing pressure is the most practical management measure.

Price information broken down by size categories was also obtained. We estimated the value of the landings in 2019 at over US$700,000. We also examined the economic impact of COVID-19 and showed a possible loss of US$290,000 at this one buying station.

Additional data is summarised to suggest that Pama Croaker undertakes a migration in May-June to spawn in low salinity waters at the mouth of the Sittaung River.

The application of the size disaggregated data from fish buyers suggests this approach has further application to Pama Croaker management. Given the current weakness of the Department of Fisheries it is difficult to foresee their application of this approach but it could, however, be used by companies, village and township fisheries committees, and other bodies to track the status of the fishery and implement management measures. There is also potential application to other species where the buyers separate the fish into different size categories.