AN area extending from Daung Island to the Lampi National Park in the Myeik Archipelago was proposed as a shark protection zone late last month, the director of the National Commission for Environmental Affairs, Daw Yin Yin Lay, said.

Daw Yin Yin Lay said the move was in response to a decline in the shark population in the zone because of illegal fishing for their fins, regarded as delicacies in many Asian countries. Shark fins sell for up to US$900 a pound (0.45 kilograms).

The commission put the proposal to cabinet for approval after studying surveys conducted by the Marine Science Department at the University of Mawlamyine, Daw Yin Yin Lay said.

“The implementation of the proposal will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and will include enacting the necessary laws to protect sharks,” she said.

Daw Yin Yin Lay also said that a committee formed by the government earlier this year to support environmental conservation has begun a survey of a tributary of the Chindwin River, the director of the National Commission for Environmental Affairs, Daw Yin Yin Lay, said last week.

The survey of the U-Ru River in Kachin State was being conducted to determine the effect on the waterway of gold and jade mines, Daw Yin Yin Lay said.
It is the first activity by the Environment Committee since it was formed in March, she said.

The committee is chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, U Win Aung. It includes the deputy ministers of 10 ministries and the directors general of the ministries of Forestry and Foreign Affairs.