| Myanmar is a maritime country in Southeast Asia having a coastline some 2800 km in length which faces the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The coastal region is rich in marine resources and is a source of foreign exchange and employment opportunities for the local populace. The project site, the Myeik Archipelago, is unique in that it has more than 800 coastal islands lying on a broad continental shelf. The shallow waterways among the islands are a fertile source of resources for commercial fishing enterprises. All coastal bio-systems including mangroves, sea-grass, coral reefs, mud flats and sandy beaches commonly occur on and near the coasts of both the mainland and on the islands of the archipelago. This habitat is home to a rich and varied population of sea life. Although Myanmars richest fishing grounds lie in the Myeik Archipelago Region, there has been little research on its biodiversity. Waters of the region receive little pressure from human activities at the present time but there is a potential for pollution and severe depletion of fishery resources in the coming years. | | | Development projects in the archipelago region such as bridge and road construction, the expansion of agricultural lands and palm oil plantations, aquaculture, mining and increased fishing activities may well lead to the creation of environmental issues unless management methods are scientifically sound. Since the waters of the Myeik coastal zone can be considered pollution free at the present time, the findings of the study will provide valuable baseline of information for future reference and assessments of the quality of the environment of the archipelago region. For these reasons there is an urgent need to investigate the status of faunal conditions there. This planned study will conduct the biological research urgently needed so as to allow for needed conservation while making wise use of resources of the archipelago region. | The initial phase of the project which includes field trips, monitoring and sample collection will get underway with the beginning of the dry season in latter months of the year 2000. This will carry on through the end of 2002. The first publication on the findings of the study is tentatively scheduled to be released at the end of the year 2001. This will be followed by subsequent publications at the end of 2002 and 2003. | | | | The project objective is to investigate and document existing faunal and floral species and to publish the findings locally and internationally, as well as to present the findings at related research seminars. The data collected will be analyzed and used as a baseline for future research and studies of the status of the coastal environment in the archipelago region. Water quality and characteristics such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, silica and suspended solids will be measured scientifically if appropriate instrumentation is available. Information will also be gathered which can be used as a valuable tool for promoting careful expansion of tourism within the region. The findings of this study will be of great interest from the perspective of conservation and will be of great value to students, research scientists as well as key decision makers in business and in government. Protection of the marine environment is a matter of global concern. This research will endeavor to bring awareness to the secrets of nature for this special region encompassed in the larger overall sense of saving our planet. | |
