MYANMAR fishermen are set to get a helping hand later this month with the release of two Myanmar-language global positioning system (GPS) receivers, said an official from the company distributing the Korean-made devices.

Myanmar-registered Fortune International Limited will start selling the digital mapping tools in late August, assistant general manager U Aung Moe said.

The devices, which have eight-inch colour screens and detail Myanmar’s coastline, will for the first time show place names and longitude and latitude figures in Myanmar script.

Made by South Korea’s Samyung ENC Company Ltd, a major producer of marine communication and navigation equipment and a supplier to the Korean navy, the GPS receivers are targeted at Myanmar fishing trawlers, U Aung Moe said.

The receivers were translated by two Myanmar students studying at the Korea Maritime University in Busan and can also be used internationally as they display coastlines worldwide.

“Most of the GPS navigation systems and other devices currently used by fishing trawlers here are second-hand from Thailand, and most are in Thai language so it takes a fair bit of practice to use them,” U Aung Moe said.

“A lot of people working on fishing vessels have little education so we decided to translate the menu and all the instructions into Myanmar so that anyone can easily and effectively operate the machine.

“One model is combined with a fish finder so fishermen can locate fish and then pinpoint that location on the GPS.”

U Aung Moe said prices were yet to be finalised but would likely be around the US$2000 mark. This, he said, was well within the reach of most companies operating fishing trawlers.

“Their response has been good. They don’t have a problem with the price,” U Aung Moe said, referring to feedback gathered last month at presentations made to the Myanmar Fisheries Federation and Myanmar Trawlers Association.

“What they said is that if the device really can help, they are ready to install it.”