Small-scale fishermen in Rakhine State blame unlawful fishing vessels for a drop in marine lives. The livelihoods of residents of Kyaukpyu, Myebon and Pauktaw townships depend on shallow-water fishing. They said they noticed a drop in daily catches since massive vessels started fishing in their areas. Some fishermen have to change their livelihoods. The offshore boats are trespassing in the shallow areas. They operate day and night. Their one day catch equals to the total catch of 100 small boats. They run away from the scene when we complain about their trespassing, said Khin Maung Htun, a fisherman in Myebon. The Fishery Department designated 10 nautical miles from the shore as a shallow-water fishing site. The fishermen have complained that fishing vessels are trespassing. The names and serial numbers of fishing boats are concealed when they enter the shallow-water fishing sites, making it hard for authorities to take action. Po Hlaing, another fisherman in Myebon, said: There were 120 small-scale boats and now there are around 60. The Fishery Department needs to do something. Kyaukpyu-based fish traders said the fishing vessels might be from Taninthayi, Yangon and Ayeyawady regions and use forbidden nets.