However, the inshore fisheries sector currently faces sharply increasing pressures from overfishing mainly by large-scale offshore operations that might lead to a complete collapse of the marine ecosystem. This would threaten the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on this sector directly or indirectly.
In response, the Department of Fisheries, with the support of Denmark, recognizes that the involvement of coastal fishing communities is necessary to improve overall fisheries governance.
The Department of Fisheries is now supporting the development of fisheries co-management structures.
This implies that organized fishers in coastal communities will be able to become local partners for sharing responsibility and authority in the management of fisheries resources.

Vision
The vision of the programme initiative is, thus, to improve livelihood in local communities through promotion of a more sustainable, community-based and responsible exploitation of natural coastal and marine fish resources.
Programme Name: Support to Sustainable Coastal Fisheries |
Development Partner: Denmark |
Implementing Agency: Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation |
Locations: Rakhine State and Tanintharyi Region |
Implementation Period: 2017 - 2020 |
Budget DKK: 66,000,000 (Approx. USD: 10 million) |
Objective
The objective aims at improving inclusive and responsible economic green growth, with attention to the livelihoods of marginalized populations. More specifically the Danish support to Sustainable Coastal Fisheries (SCF) will focus on:
- piloting co-management arrangements between Department of Fisheries and communities to sustainably manage Myanmar’s inshore fisheries;
- enhancing fisheries communities’ ability to improve livelihoods dependent on natural coastal and marine fish resources;
- involving communities by including people with different cultural and religious backgrounds; and
- enhancing fisheries communities’ ability to improve post-harvest handling and value addition to the fish catch by working closely with community-based SMEs.