Mawlamyine, December (30)
Regime troops and subordinate groups are extorting large amounts of money from fishing vessels in the Sittaung River between Bago Region and Mon States, threatening those who do not pay, the fishermen told Than Lwin Times.
The Military Council is asking for money ranging from 600,000 Kyats to 1,000,000 Kyats per fishing boat for a single fishing season, as well as at other times.
Fishing boats in Sittaung River can reportedly catch fish with illegal iron filter nets if they pay as much money as they ask to the military council and subordinate groups.
Major Tun Lin Aung, the administrator of Mamok village in Kawa Township, Bago Region and chairman of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), is asking for money from fishermen.
The people asking for money from fishermen in the Sittaung River are junta troops, administrative officials, and members of USDP in Kawa Township.
The military council currently supports illegal fishing, which causes some people to give up the fishing business because it is inconvenient for them.
Allowing illegal fishing boats to be caught with iron filter nets will further deplete water resources, and fish species may become extinct in the coming year, the conservationists said.
News-Than Lwin Times
Thanlwintimes