TORRENTIAL rainfall early this month has had no effect on fish and shrimp farms in lower Myanmar, an official from the Fish Farmers Association said on July 17.

U Than Lwin, the chairman of the association, said flooding in Yangon, Bago and Ayeyarwady divisions in the first week of July did not have any impact on fish and shrimp farms in that area.

“Most farms had only eight to 10 inches of overflow, so farmers were able to use nets to prevent fish from escaping,” he said.

However, he said the situation for some farms remained critical.
“Water levels are not that serious but if dams with full reservoirs suddenly release their water, the fish ponds can become flooded,” he said.

U Than Lwin conceded that it was sometimes necessary for water to be released from dams for safety reasons but added: “It is better if they can warn us before they open the gates of the dam.”

One executive member of the Myanmar Shrimp Association said the sudden release of water from dams could also affect shrimp farms.

“Most shrimp farms are not in danger right now but we would like to be informed if high water is to be released from dams, or we would like to suggest that they do it during low tide,” he said.