Myanmar has a relatively large, productive, and ecologically intact coastal zone. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for Myanmar highlights the fact that the country still hosts an enormously rich and varied biodiversity, Mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, sandy beaches and intertidal mudflats are widely distributed. Especially, the southern coast of Myanmar, Taninthayi Region, is globally unique with rich biodiversity area, experiencing rapid development due to its preserved natural beauty and abundance of natural resources. However, recent studies show that Myanmar’s coastal fisheries are already showing signs of significant strain because of over exploitation, habitat degradation and climate change. Thus, there is a need for the guidance relating to the coastal zone conservation and planning across the sectors to ensure sustainable and just development in line with Sustainable Development Goals.

As an important step to support the ecosystem conservation of Myanmar’s Southern Coastal Zone, FAO has kicked of the formulation process of a Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project: “My-Coast: Ecosystem Based Conservation of Myanmar’s Southern Coastal Zone” and organized the Project Preparation Grant Inception Workshop in Nay Pyi Taw on 28 August 2018.   

At the Inception Workshop, Ms Cassandra De Young, Fishery Planning Analyst of FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and also the Lead Technical Officer of the project, made introduction about the project, mentioning the project’s aim: “Building institutional and local capacity to deliver a long-term conservation strategy for ecosystems upon which fisheries depend.” She facilitated the discussion about the project development phase together with the participants as well.

Focusing primarily on the Taninthayi Region and the Myeik Archipelago, the project will support within fisheries and forestry communities to improve local management of the precious coastal and marine in the area. According to Mr Donald Macintosh, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Specialist of FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, MyCoast Project is intended to bring improved conservation of hundreds of thousands ha of mangroves, seagrass, and other coastal zone resources which in turn will sequester 3,800,000 CO2.

With the participation of Director General of Department of Fisheries (DoF), senior officials from DoF and the Forest Department, the professor from Myeik University, representatives from Fauna and Flora International, Wildlife Conservation Society and UNHELVETAS, and the FAO team, a number of presentations relating to the fisheries management, marine conservation, etc. were shared during the workshop.

Through collective efforts of stakeholders over the next few months, FAO will propose a full project document to the GEF that will represent the priorities, the knowledge, and the efforts of coastal communities and the government institutions and development partners supporting the region.