Myanmar shrimp and prawn exporters are facing a growing shortage of supplies due to the erosion of their natural habitats and unsuccessful breeding techniques, a recent study concludes. The research was carried out by the Myanmar Trade Promotion Organization (Myantrade) supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and it aims at facilitating government review of policies related to the aquaculture business, reported Myanmar Times. Researchers reported that a lack of preservation of fishery resources in Myanmar has led to a decline in wild supplies of fish and other marine life, including shrimp and prawns bound for exports. In the farmed fisheries sector, viruses have eliminated substantial supplies of shrimp and prawns. According to U Tun Win Myint, Director of the Department of Fisheries in Yangon Region, new breeding techniques and aquaculture technologies are needed To rebuild supplies. On his part, Kazuo Mishima, JICA’s team leader for the project on enhancement of investment promotion and export development in Myanmar, said the country needs to increase its export supply capability as well as product quality and value. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation developed a National Aquaculture Development Plan (NADP) setting out long term, national objectives to foster the future development of the sector. Myantrade suggests shrimp farming should be encouraged through tax incentives and eased regulations. The research will provide the government great support in improving the business environment for the domestic and export markets. Myanmar exported over 13,000 tonnes of shrimp and prawns worth USD 50 million in the 2016-17 fiscal year. Between April and January of the current fiscal year, Myanmar exported the same amount of shrimp and prawns as the previous year. Myanmar exports mainly to Japan as well as Singapore, China, Thailand, UAE, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, EU and the US.