The Mon State government has threatened to take action against unlicensed offshore fishing companies.

“There are many problems associated with offshore fishing,” Tun Htay, the Mon State Agriculture, Livestock and Transportation minister, said during a session in state parliament.

Offshore fishing is catching fish over ten miles from the shoreline.

The minister explained his department is compiling data on this matter and it will be presented at a later date.

“Pending a decision by the state government, we will take action against the unlicensed fishing boats,” Tun Htay said during the meeting.

The minister was responding to questions fielded by Chit Tin, MP for Ye township, after he commented on unlicensed boats engaged in offshore fishing.

Over a thousand fishing vessels were observed offshore by the Mon State Fishing League, general administration department and police in three oceanic fishing zones. Most of them were unlicensed for offshore fishing and from the Irrawaddy Delta.

There are only 9 large vessels and 320 small boats licensed for offshore fishing by the state government.

There are 1,244 boats licensed for inshore fishing over the total coastal of Mon State, spanning 351 miles.

“Many businesses that have registered boats with the fishing department are also using non-licensed boats for fishing,” Chit Tin told NMG.

Dr Aye Zan, chief minister for Mon State, said another meeting to discuss this issue will convene on February 17.