Records show Myanmar may be home to as many as 58 shark and 71 ray species some of the most diverse in the world. Species are including Critically Endangered (4), Vulnerable (18) and Near Threatened (18) shark species. There is a national ban on shark fishing through a declaration made by the Department of fisheries, however this has yet to be formalized in law and shark and ray populations appear to be in severe decline.

Sharks were reported both as incidental and as a targeted catch and fishers who intentionally catch sharks overwhelmingly want to see the ban lifted. Those who catch them incidentally find them a valuable by-product. There are no restrictions on ray fishing (including Red List species) and it appears rays are being caught in very large numbers e.g. 4000 tons in Tanintharyi Region in 2013-14.

Key threats to sharks were identified as: longline fishing, sale of bycatch, over-capacity of Myanmar’s fishing fleet, fishing of juveniles, lack of enforcement, destructive fishing practices e.g. dynamite, and high market demand for shark products for export.

It is intended that the information in this report should feed into the planned drafting of Myanmar’s National Plan of Action (NPOA) and the development of a set of recommendations and required actions to combat the decline in both shark and ray populations.

You will love that most of Myanmar’s dive sites are so remote and undiscovered when you get underwater and witness both a great density and variety of marine life. Indeed, not only will you find lots of pelagic species on the open ocean sites, but also macro creatures to look for on coral formations.

Shark lovers will be happy to know they might cross paths with oceanic white and black tips sharks, nurse sharks, grey oceanic sharks, and even leopard sharks. Of course, the gentle giant, whale shark, is also spotted on some sites during the plankton season between February and May.

Sea Turtles
All sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Common Name Scientific Name ESA Listing Status

Central West Pacific Green Turtle: Chelonia mydas Endangered
Hawksbill Turtle: Eretmochelys imbricata Endangered
Leatherback Turtle: Dermochelys coriacea Endangered
North Pacific Loggerhead Turtle: Caretta caretta Endangered
Olive Ridley Turtle: Lepidochelys olivacea Endangered

Fishes and Coral

You will love that most of Myanmar’s dive sites are so remote and undiscovered when you get underwater and witness both a great density and variety of marine life. Indeed, not only will you find lots of pelagic species on the open ocean sites, but also macro creatures to look for on coral formations.

Indo-West Pacific Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Sphyrna lewini Threatened
Oceanic Whitetip Shark Carcharhinus longimanus Threatened
Giant Manta Ray Manta birostris Threatened
Oceanic Whitetip Shark Carcharhinus longimanus Threatened

Invertebrates

Listed coral species in the Myanmar are threatened under the ESA. This list represents the best available information on species presence at this time but could change as additional information becomes available.

Coral Seriatopora aculeata Threatened
Coral Acropora globiceps Threatened
Coral Acropora retusa Threatened
Giant Clams Tridacna derasa Candidate
Giant Clams Tridacna squamosa Candidate
Giant Clams Tridacna gigas Candidate
Giant Clams Hippopus hippopus Candidate
Pacific Coral Proposed and Critical Habitat

More Information, Find A Species and learn more about their biology and population status, where they live, the threats they face, and how we are conserving and studying each species.

And Many More Species Come Visit Soon!