The most affected areas were in the Ayeyarwady division, the same division also hit by the 2004 tsunami, claiming lives and resulting in the displacement of thousands of people. Cyclone nargis impact is believed to be far more severe. The population of the Ayeyarwady division (approximately 6.5 million or 12 percent of Myanmar’s population) lives from exploiting the rich natural resources within the delta area and out at sea. It is informed that the area struck by the cyclone has major fishing ports and landing sites.
It is evident that cyclone has hit many vessels have been sunk in harbours and damage to infrastructure – landing sites and fish storage and preservation facilities. As Myanmar does not have an early-warning system for cyclones and bad weather. The damages estimated far more severe. The severity of the storm surge also impacted heavily on people who were onshore.
The most affected five states of Myanmar are full of fisheries and aquaculture which estimated to employ more than 800,000 people, although far more may take part. These states were affected most by the cyclone produce fish, prawns and preserved fisheries products in abundance. Artesian fishing within the Ayeyarwady delta is also widespread. It is fact that coastal aquaculture in Myanmar is limited mainly to shrimp farming, although also some smaller quantities of mud crab and groupers are farmed.
