The fishermen from Kabyarwa and Magyi villages in Yebyu Township, Tanintharyi Region, are being required to renew their sea access permits twice a month at village administrative offices, according to local workers.
The requirement stems from a directive issued by the Myanmar Navy’s Mawyawadi base, which mandates that all fishermen using motorized boats in the area must obtain monthly travel permits from their respective village administrators starting from February. However, officials are reportedly issuing permits valid for only 15 days, forcing fishermen to renew them twice per month.
“We’re only supposed to get permits once a month, according to what the Navy told the administrators, but the village officials issue them for just 15 days. We have to pay 20,000 kyats for small boats, and 30,000 to 40,000 kyats for larger boats. Once the 15 days are up, we have to apply again and pay again,” a local fisherman said.
In addition to the frequent renewals, reports indicate that Navy forces from the Mawyawadi base have been detaining and physically assaulting fishermen found operating boats used for fishing or sand and stone extraction after their permits expire. Since the permit system was introduced in February, at least 15 fishermen have been arrested or beaten.
“If you’re just one or two days late, they will arrest and beat you. Some people are late due to work or financial struggles, but the Navy doesn’t care. They call it punishment, some were beaten five times. It’s heartbreaking to see older men being treated like this.” said a local resident.
Fishermen also added that they are required to pay an additional 30,000 kyats per boat for “rations support” when traveling long distances offshore, another unofficial fee collected by the Mawyawadi naval authorities.
The junta Navy’s Mawyawadi base, based in Yebyu Township, has been actively arresting civilians suspected of having links with People’s Defense Forces (PDFs). In addition to surveillance and arrests, authorities have increased restrictions and inspections on fishing workers from both Yebyu and Ye townships.
Most fishermen in Ye Township are migrant workers from central Myanmar. They engage in offshore fishing and also work in sand and stone extraction along the coastline.
According to the Mon State Fisheries Association, there are over 300 offshore fishing vessels operating in Mon State, about 200 of them in Ye Township and 118 in Thanbyuzayat Township.
