Myanmar’s aquaculture sector has evolved and expanded with various methods used including finfish culture system, net cage, shrimp culture, rice fish culture, and indigenous wild fish production system. Despite this, there is little knowledge about traditional wild fish farming system, notably in native small-scale aquaculture. An initial work in GoM revealed the features of indigenous aquaculture specific to this region, which turned out to be one of the profitable activities, using simple traditional ways. The Gulf of Mottama Project has since supported the development of these aquaculture practices by providing technical guidance and credits through Mon and Bago Fishers Development Associations (MFDA & BFDA). However, there is very little information available on the socio-economic importance of these aquaculture systems to the local communities as well as challenges, opportunities, and interests of the communities to further improve these indigenous systems by merging local knowledge and contemporary practices which foster sustainable aquaculture practices.

This study seeks to highlight the economic and social significance of wild fish aquaculture systems for communities in the GoM, who are interested in improving existing indigenous aquaculture practices by using good aquaculture practices. Wild fish aquaculture operators were interviewed in three villages in Mon and in five villages in Bago. The key results included different types of ponds, various fish species, revenue distribution among different groups in this fish farming practices as well as dynamic changes in the system.

The study identified that wild fish aquaculture significantly supplements household income, acting as a stabilizer during agricultural yield fluctuations. The opportunity for improvement was observed in upgrading pond construction, brood stock expansion, and systematic feeding methods. However, financial constraints hinder the maintenance of brood stock and overall improvements; tailored financial support is crucial. Therefore, the study recommended tailored financial aid for pond preparation, fish feeds, and effective management to enable operators to maintain brood stock. As the capacity of the operators are important, technical assistance for pond preparation, promoting brooding practices, and educating on feeding methods to enhance productivity and quality. Most importantly, evaluating the ecological impact of local practices like using invasive species for fish shelter, and promoting sustainable alternatives is required. In order to achieve these, fostering knowledge exchange forums to merge traditional knowledge and practices with contemporary practices for continuous improvement is highly recommended. Addressing these recommendations can bolster the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of wild fish aquaculture in the Gulf of Mottama, enhancing the livelihoods of involved operators.