Cyclone Nargis has affected the same areas in the Ayeyarwady division which were hit by the 2004 tsunami claiming lives and resulting in the displacement of thousands of people. This time around, the impact is believed to be far more severe.

The population of the Ayeyarwady division (approximately 6.5 million or 12 percent of the national population) basically live from exploiting the rich natural resources both within the delta areas and out at sea.

From early pictures, FAO concludes that there has been significant impact to fishing vessels in harbours. The fate of the vessels at sea when the cyclone hit is currently unknown.

The area struck by the cyclone has some major fishing ports and landing sites. It is clear that many vessels have been sunk in harbours and damage to infrastructure such as landing facilities and fish storage and preservation facilities is likely.

Myanmar does not have an early warning system for cyclones and bad weather. Although fishermen are generally aware of weather conditions and do not go out to sea if storms are expected, fishers on small vessels may not received warning in time. The severity of the storm surge also impacted heavily on people who were onshore.

Fishery
Fisheries and aquaculture in Myanmar are officially estimated to employ over 800 000 people although far more may take part. The 5 states affected most by the cyclone produce fish, prawns and preserved fisheries products in abundance. Most of the fisher communities are located along the coast, and include significant numbers of poor and vulnerable people and a high proportion of people are dependent on fisheries activities and aquatic products for income and food security.

Marine fishing
Marine fishery in Myanmar employs approximately 26 000 small boats operating in coastal areas and some 1 900 offshore fishing vessels (2001 data). The marine fisheries sector produces 1.4 million mT, which represent over 55 percent of the country’s fish supply.

Artisanal fishing within the Ayeyarwady delta is also widespread. This type of fishery should be somewhat better sheltered from direct sea surges and cyclones, but deforestation and other man-made impacts may have limited natural shelter. Available film footage suggests that the impacts of the cyclone extended well inland, thus these households are also likely to have been affected by flooding. Fishers also face damage to boats, fishing gears and other livelihood assets.

Aquaculture
Coastal aquaculture in Myanmar is limited mainly to shrimp farming, although also some smaller quantities of mud crab and groupers are farmed. The sector already generates significant export earnings, and has great potential for future development and diversification.

Most coastal aquaculture in Myanmar is practiced with traditional methods, but intensification of shrimp farming in particular is gathering pace. Ayeyarwady division has approximately 18 percent of the national area of fish culture ponds and less than 2 percent of the total shrimp culture area (estimated at 29 125 acres in 2001). Shrimp culture area is largely based around Rakhine State to the north.

Cyclone Nargis had a far more severe impact on these coastal areas than the Asian tsunami. However, poor access to these areas is seriously hampering relief efforts and makes rapid and effective assessment of the damage and rehabilitation needs extremely demanding and difficult.

Boats, jetties and transport infrastructure in the area are of poor quality and may not be capable of delivering relief supplies quickly and efficiently.

The coastline of Myanmar is over 3 000 km long and the Ayeyarwady division occupies the delta region of the Ayeyarwady river. The geography of the area is defined by numerous rivers and channels and much of the transport in and around the area is by boat.