Fishing lakes in Mandalay Region will be auctioned for one year in April, said U Hla Win, head of the region’s fisheries department. The region government will perceive taxes by auctioning the lakes. We can protect the the fishing lakes and increase the amount of freshwater fish farming, he said. A total of 175 fishing lakes in Madaya, Singu, Myingyan, Thabeikkyin, Taungtha, Ngazun, Tada-U, Nyaung-U, Patheingyi and Amarapura will be auctioned at the fishing camp in Thayet Kone ward from April 24-27 for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The floor prices for the auctioned fishing lakes range from K10,000 to K40 million, according to the department’s head. It may cost the bidders a fair amount as they have to win the auctions. The government will collect more taxes. Businesses may receive less profit. Auctioning will make the allocation of the lakes more transparent. All entrepreneurs can equally bid as it is open to all, said U Soe Win, a fish farmer. There are about 272 fishing lakes in Mandalay Region of which the Fisheries Department auctioned 175 lakes for a duration of one year, leaving aside the Taungthaman lake and lakes under the management of the Ministry of Irrigation. The Fisheries Department auctioned 122 fishing lakes and 11 fishing blocks last fiscal year and received more than K530 million in revenues, according to the record.