Chief Minister Dr Le Le Maw for Tanintharyi Region says strict action is needed against illegal fishing off her coast. She said was attending a national-level Central Committee for Administration and Management of Natural Resources in Coastal Areas, chaired by military-appointed Vice President Myint Swe in Nay Pyi Taw. There are many cases of illegal fishing and dynamite fishing. Blast fishing causes heavy damage to coral reefs. People do not understand about the blast fishing. Thais asked them to do it and provide explosives. They sell the fish acquired through blast fishing in Thailand. I believe it should be banned urgently. Thailand threatens the death penalty for blast fishing. We should take strict action against that brutal fishing technique, said Le Le Maw. The chief minister said Tanintharyi Region had about 3,000 unlicensed fishing boats and they should be controlled immediately. The government will receive taxes if they go fishing with official licences and permission. We need cooperation from the government. If this illegal fishing goes on, our country will become like Thailand without any fish one day, she added. Systematic surveillance and regular inspection was needed for protection of water resources, she said. The chief minister also called for navy cooperation in preventive measures against the illegal fishing in Tanintharyi.