TRIP REPORT Travel Location: Myanmar Dates Traveled: February 8-14, 2013 Traveler Name and Title: May Myat Noe Lwin, Local Coordinator (Aquaculture) Activity No: U13CXSA501(03) PURPOSE: The purpose of this travel was to describe the ASA-IM 90% satiation approach to feeding during an in-house training to staff from United KMK Co. Ltd and to investigate the present status of aquaculture industry in the western coastal state of Myanmar. ITINERARY: February 8, 2013 BKK- RGN, Myanmar February 9, 2013 Myeik, Myanmar February 10, 2013 Myeik- RGN, Myanmar February 11, 2013 Rakhine, Myanmar February 12, 2013 Rakhine, Myanmar February 13, 2013 Rakhine - RGN, Myanmar February 14, 2013 RGN- BKK EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Technical Director – SE Asia Aquaculture, Lukas Manomaitis and Local Coordinator (MM) May Myat Noe Lwin described the 90% satiation feeding method during in-house training to the staff from United KMK Co. Ltd. May Myat Noe Lwin conducted the first investigation trip to Rakhine State, west coast of Myanmar. The tiger shrimp farming industry in the area used to be a booming industry. She made the tour to many shrimp farms in Rakhine state together with three scientists from Oceanic Institute from Hawaii and two people from Myanmar Shrimp Association. There
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TRIP REPORTTravel Location: Myanmar
Dates Traveled: February 8-14, 2013Traveler Name and Title: May Myat Noe Lwin, Local Coordinator
(Aquaculture)Activity No: U13CXSA501(03)
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this travel was to describe the ASA-IM 90% satiation approach to feeding during an in-house training to staff from United KMK Co. Ltd and to investigate the present status of aquaculture industry in the western coastal state of Myanmar.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Technical Director – SE Asia Aquaculture, Lukas Manomaitis and Local Coordinator (MM) May Myat Noe Lwin described the 90% satiation feeding method during in-house training to the staff from United KMK Co. Ltd. May Myat Noe Lwin conducted the first investigation trip to Rakhine State, west coast of Myanmar. The tiger shrimp farming industry in the area used to be a booming industry.
She made the tour to many shrimp farms in Rakhine state together with three scientists from Oceanic Institute from Hawaii and two people from Myanmar Shrimp Association. There is still a lot of extensive tiger shrimp farming in the state. Shrimp disease has been one of the issues in the area and lack of training makes the situation even worse.
DETAILED REPORT/COMPANY REPORTTraveler: May Myat Noe LwinDate: February 8, 2013Location(s) visited: Golden Duck Restaurant, Yangon, MyanmarPerson(s) contacted: Lukas Manomaitis (Technical Director- SEA Asia) Dr. Kyaw Tun Myint (Managing Director, Armanthit Feedmill), Mr. Aung Naing
(Managing Director, Aung Moe Khaing Co. Ltd). Mr. Dusit, Mr. Maung Maung Naing (Myanmar Shrimp Association), Mr. Hin Oo (Secretary, Myanmar Fisheries Federation), Mr. Rey Santella (Agriculture Attaché, USDA), Dr. Shaun Moss (President, Oceanic Institute), Mr. Steve Arce (Research Associate, Oceanic Institute), Mr. Dustin Moss (Research Associate, Oceanic Institute)
Knowledge gained from the discussion:
We had a discussion with a group of scientists from Oceanic Institute from Hawaii and the Myanmar Fisheries Federation.
Highlight of the discussion:
Oceanic Institute is a non-governmental organization located in Hawaii.
The Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) white shrimp program was started by Oceanic Institute
Oceanic Institute would like to cooperate with Myanmar Shrimp Association and conduct a research program to develop local SPF black tiger and white shrimp broodstocks.
Oceanic Institute plans to visit Ngwe Saung, Chanung Tha, Irrawady region and Western coastal state of Myanmar to find ideal location for their future research.
Arh Mann Thit Co. Ltd will host their visit along with Myanmar Shrimp Association.
Arh Man Thit Co. Ltd has purchased white shrimp PL’s from Thailand and started farming in Ngwe Saung Township.
DETAILED REPORT/COMPANY REPORTTraveler: May Myat Noe LwinDate: February 9, 2013Location(s) visited: Myeik, MyanmarPerson(s) contacted: Lukas Manomaitis (ASA-IM SEA Technical Director), U Soe San (Sea Bass Hatchery Technician, KMK Co. Ltd), U Min Aung (Site manager, Marine sea bass cages, KMK Co. Ltd), U San Htike (Site manager, Brackish water sea bass cages, KMK Co. Ltd), Shar Nyo (Sea bass project manager, KMK Co. Ltd), Ko Pauk (General Manager, KMK Co. Ltd , Myeik Branch), Kyaw Myint Aye (Supervisor, KMK.Co. Ltd), Ko Tun Tun Win (Assistant site manager, KMK Co. Ltd), Ko Lin Lin (Staff)
Knowledge gained from the discussion:
We provided in-house training to all the staff from KMK. Co. Ltd. in the 90% of satiation feeding method.
Highlights of the discussion:
We taught the 90% satiation method to KMK staff
KMK Co. Ltd started using high soy content formulated pellets for hatchery starting last year.
Before KMK only has one crop per year for hatchery production and since they use formulated diet, they are producing 3 crops per year.
It is the first grow out sea bass culture for KMK using pelleted feeds.
Staff members are not using any feed conversion ratio charts and just feed as much as possible.
90% satiation method provided help for the staff to more clearly feed the fish
DETAILED REPORT/COMPANY REPORTTraveler: May Myat Noe LwinDate: February 10, 2012Location(s) visited: Myeik- Yangon, MyanmarPerson(s) contacted: Lukas Manomaitis (ASA-IM SEA Technical Director), U Soe San (Sea Bass Hatchery Technician, KMK Co. Ltd), U Min Aung (Site manager, Marine sea bass cages, KMK Co. Ltd), U San Htike (Site manager, Brackish water sea bass cages, KMK Co. Ltd), Shar Nyo (Sea bass project
manager, KMK Co. Ltd), Ko Pauk (General Manager, KMK Co. Ltd, Myeik Branch), Kyaw Myint Aye (Supervisor, KMK. Co), Ko Lin Lin (Staff)
Knowledge gained from the discussion:
We visited KMK grow out sea cage farms. It was 3 hours drive by boat for each way.
Highlights of the tour and discussion:
All the grow out cages now are using pellets only
Seniors staff are convinced that by using pellets, feed growth rate is much better compared to using trash fish.
They are still using trash fish at other brackish water cages in different location.
We provided a practical satiation demo to the KMK staffs.
DETAILED REPORT/COMPANY REPORTTraveler: May Myat Noe LwinDate: February 11, 2013Location(s) visited: Sittwe, Myanmar
Person(s) contacted: Dr. Shaun Moss (President, Oceanic Institute), Mr. Steve Arce (Research Associate, Oceanic Institute), Mr. Dustin Moss (Research Associate, Oceanic Institute), U Soe Tun (Chairman, Myanmar Shrimp Association), U Maung Maung Naing (Member, Myanmar Shrimp Association), U San Kyaw Hla (Vice chairman, Myanmar Shrimp Association, Rakhaing State), U Kyaw Thein (Minister, Myanmar Live-stock and Fisheries, Rakhaing state), U Soe Myint (Director, Depart of Fisheries, Rakhaing state)
Knowledge gained from the discussion:
We met with U Kyaw Thein , the Minister of Myanmar Livestock and Fisheries, Rakhaing state and U Soe Myint, Director, Department of Fisheries, Rakhaing state. We also visited the government hatchery which used to cooperate with Thailand government.
Highlights of the discussion:
The government has a plan to develop aquaculture industry in Rakhaing state again.
Minister requested to support them with technical assistance all parties ASA-IM, Oceanic Institute and Myanmar Shrimp Association.
Since tiger shrimp has disease outbreak issue, the minister is willing to cooperate white shrimp program in Rakhaing state.
Dr.Shaun Moss explained to the minister that white shrimp is not that much different to tiger shrimp and still have disease problem too. Not only good quality brood stock and seed is important but also bio security issue is one of the area Myanmar aqua industry need to focus.
Disease issue in the area has been a long time now and people has less interest in aquaculture.
Minister also admitted that people are not willing to listen to DOF since they cannot give that much technical support to the people with disease issue.
Minister mentioned that budget is one of the main issues for them to help the industry and they are not getting enough support from the central government.
There is a central government budget plan to help the industry in Rakhaing state.
DETAILED REPORT/COMPANY REPORTTraveler: May Myat Noe LwinDate: February 12, 2013Location(s) visited: Marine Shrimp Culture Demonstration Centre, Myingun island Sittwe, Myanmar
Person(s) contacted: Dr. Shaun Moss (President, Oceanic Institute), Mr. Steve Arce (Research Associate, Oceanic Institute), Mr. Dustin Moss (Research Associate, Oceanic Institute ), U Soe Tun (Chairman, Myanmar Shrimp Association), U Maung Maung Naing (Member, Myanmar Shrimp Association), U San Kyaw Hla (Vice chairman, Myanmar Shrimp Association, Rakhaing State), Daw Than Than Aye (Manager, DOF Shrimp Hatchery, Sittwe), U Kyaw Thun Zan (Assistant manager, DOF Shrimp hatchery, Sittwe), Daw Than Than Win (Senor Staff, DOF Shrimp hatchery, Sittwe), Daw Myint Myint Win (Superivisor, DOF Shrimp hatchery, Sittwe), U Shwe Kyaw Aung (Algae expert, DOF shrimp hatchery, Sittwe)
Knowledge gained from the discussion:
On this day we conducted a half day tour to FAO shrimp hatchery which was destroyed by Giri Cyclone on 23 October 2010. It is located at Myingun Island. We also visited the Marine shrimp culture demonstration centre.
Highlights of the discussion:
FAO hatchery is located in a remote area and took 4 hours to get to the hatchery.
Very good water quality and salinity is high all year around.
It is suitable location for shrimp hatchery research according to scientists from Oceanic Institute.
Marine Shrimp Culture Demonstration center is run by Department of Fisheries.
There are 11 permanent staff from Department of Fisheries.
Although Marine Shrimp Culture demonstration centre can produce enough Tiger shrimp PL, demand is not very promising.
Main issue is white spot disease and there is no bio security even for the demonstration centre.
Another challenge is that Marine Shrimp Culture center could not compete with PL prices from Bangladesh.
Marine Shrimp Culture demonstration centre get brood stock from the wild and there is no PCR test due to transportation problem and lack of facilities.
The centre sells their tiger shrimp PL to local farmers.
Many farmers near Bangladesh border area purchase PL’s directly from hatchery in Cox Bazaar.
One of the challenges is that there is not a reliable test for good quality PL’s from either the Bangladesh hatchery or the Marine Shrimp Culture Demonstration Centre according to local farmers.
According to Myanmar Shrimp Association, Rakhing State vice chairman, the farmers lost their confidence to continue shrimp culture due to disease problems.
DETAILED REPORT/COMPANY REPORTTraveler: May Myat Noe LwinDate: February 13, 2013Location(s) visited: United KMK Co.ltdPerson(s) contacted: Mr. Khin Maung Kyaw (Managing Director, United KMK Co. Ltd)
Knowledge gained from the discussion: I had discussion with the managing director of United KMK Co. Ltd regarding the ASA-IM upcoming marine fish program in Australia.
High light of the discussion:
ASA-IM chose KMK sea bass hatchery as the representative hatchery from Myanmar
COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Many farms were damaged by Giri Cyclone and with no support from the government this puts the aquaculture industry there in a worse situation.
After the cyclone, all the intensive tiger shrimp farms stopped operation and it is hard to continue due to disease issues and lack of quality seed problem.
Although farmers want to try marine fishes, there is no seed available.
Myanmar Government has ignored this region for a long time although the region is not that far from Yangon.
Although Rakhaing state faces to the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, many local people are not getting that much benefit from the sea.
Most of the fishing boats belong to either rich men from Yangon or foreigners.
Transportation is one of the biggest challenges in the region.
There is a fight between Muslim and Buddhist communities in and near the Bangladesh border towns.
There is still martial law curfew between 10 pm to 4 am due to security reasons.
Fast growing population of Rokhikha Muslim is one of the issues for people from Rakhing state and most of them don’t have Burmese ID.
Presently many farms are doing traditional trap and hold tiger shrimp farming but disease has been a serious issue.
But there is a huge potential for species diversification and especially for marine fish farming in this region.
Water quality is very good and the region has no industrialization yet.
Personally, I think that there is better opportunity to introduce marine fishes as alternative to shrimp farming.
The main income for the people in this region is from fisheries and aquaculture, rice farming and salt collection.
The government is building roads to connect to the regions. Before, water transport only was available.
