Abstract

• A socio-economic assessment was conducted in fishing communities of Palaw Township. Key informant interviews (KII) data indicated that the infrastructure at community level was limited in these communities. Most respondents were identified as Burmese and Buddhist. Education attainment levels were higher in household head between the ages of 21-40 years than others and they also had degrees. Fishing was the main source of income for most respondents in these communities but their incomes were not enough for their livelihoods. They faced most difficulties in the rainy season (June-September). The primary occupations of some respondents were inshore fishing, collecting bivalves, fish (buying and selling), agriculture and shop keeping. Groupers, spanish mackerels, silver grunts, rays, sardinella, ponyfish, croaker and anchovy were caught around Anyin-pho, Anyin-ma, Ma-li, Kyunn-hla, Tha-mi-hla, Kyauk-kar, Khan-ti and Lit-ku throughout the year. The high dependence on marine resources at the household and community level perpetuated the threats on marine resources. Most household heads had low awareness of rules and regulations of marine resources. Most households did not want to participate in decision-making to conserve marine resources. Fishermen who had fishing experience answered that there was a decrease in the catch of marine resources at the present period. These small-scale fishing communities are required conservation plans to improve public awareness and to enforce fishery and forestry laws and to select marine protect area (MPA).