Border News Agency
Kyaukphru, September 8

On September 8, the junta’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation, along with the Fisheries Department, issued a notification designating shelter areas for coastal and offshore fishing vessels in six townships, including those under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), to take refuge from natural disasters.

The announcement was issued in advance for locally owned offshore and coastal fishing vessels operating within the territorial waters of Sittwe, Kyaukphru, Pauktaw, Taunggoke, Thandwe, and Gwa townships.

It designates safe locations where vessels can take shelter from strong waves and winds during severe weather conditions throughout the monsoon season.

It stated that fishing vessels can take shelter within Sittwe Township at 20°28′ N latitude and 92°58′ E longitude, and within Pauktaw Township at 20°00′ N latitude and 93°00′ E longitude, near Pha Rone Ga Island.

It also stated that fishing vessels can take shelter at the following locations: Ngalapwe Creek in Kyaukphru Township at 19°24′ N latitude and 93°33′ E longitude; Sin Khaung Seik in Thandwe Township at 18°31′ N latitude and 94°13′ E longitude; and Tha Byu Chaing (Andrew Bay) at 18°20′ N latitude and 94°20′ E longitude.

It further stated that fishing vessels can also take shelter at Thinbaw Jetty in Taunggoke Township at 18°15′ N latitude and 94°13′ E longitude, and at Amaw Chaing in Tin Taw village tract, Gwa Township, at 17°37′ N latitude and 94°34′ E longitude.

It stated that the designation of seasonal weather shelter areas for locally owned offshore and coastal fishing vessels is intended to ensure that fishing boats and fishermen can safely take refuge and remain protected during severe weather conditions in the monsoon season.

It also warned that if fishing or prawn harvesting is found taking place in coastal areas under the pretext of taking shelter from bad weather, effective action will be taken.

Among those townships, Pauktaw, Thandwe, Taunggoke, and Gwa are under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), while in Kyaukphru and Sittwe, intense clashes are ongoing between the AA and junta forces.

The junta has deployed a large number of naval warships along the Arakan coastline and conducts daily maritime patrols.