The next step:(taken in September 2003

1st step: To accomplish this we send an representative to Yangon in the month of April

to present our goals/ideas to the Maynamar authorities

All in all we believe this visit was very promising.

Mergui Archipelago Seminar
The main reason for the meeting was to discuss the Myanmar government‚s plan to organize a two-day seminar/congress that aims to bring together all parties involved in marine tourism in the Mergui Archipelago. This is very positive development and deserves our full support.
The following items were discussed / suggested:
Date: September 2 and 3, 2003
Location: Yangon, Union of Myanmar
Venue: to be advised
Seminar Title:
MARINE TOURISM IN THE MERGUI ARCHIPELAGO
Subtitle:
Questions and Answers, Threats and Possibilities regarding Sustainable Long Term Marine Tourism in Southern Myanmar.
Objectives:
To explain the background and history of marine tourism in the Mergui Archipelago
To outline the long-term possibilities for marine tourism in the Mergui Archipelago.
To identify the current problems.
To propose solutions that will ensure that marine tourism in Myanmar reaches its full potential.
Attendants
The seminar should be attended by representatives of the following ministries, government departments, private sector businesses and organizations:
(Listed in no particular order, I apologize for any incorrect names)
FROM THE UNION OF MYANMAR:
Ministry of Hotels & Tourism
Ministry of Defense (Army, Air Force and Navy)
Ministry of Telecommunications
Myanmar Travel & Tours
Customs Dept
Immigration Dept
General Administration
Home Affairs
Foreign Affairs
Dept of Fisheries
Dept (or Ministry?) of Forestry
National Committee of Environmental Affairs
Dept of Food Security
Private sector travel agencies
Plus any other person/organization whose attendance would be required
FROM THAILAND:
Owner or Manager of each dive company licensed to operate in Myanmar
Thai/Myanmar Fisheries Cooperative (based in Ranong)

Dr. ?

Dr.?
Mr Paul Foley, conservationist
This attendance list is by no means complete.Suggestions are welcome.
Presentations:
Presentations will be made by the dive operators and, possibly, by one of the environmental experts and, again possibly, by one of the government representatives.
Presentations can be slide show, power point, video, speech, or any combination thereof.
Suggested presentation titles:
History of Marine Tourism & Diving in the Mergui Archipelago
What is Scuba Diving Tourism?
Potential of Marine Tourism in Myanmar
Economic Viability of Marine Tourism
Dynamite Fishing, short term and long term effects
Shark Fishing, short term and long term effects
Solutions to Dynamite and Shark Fishing Problems
New Levels of Cooperation
Suggestions for more or other presentations are welcome.

We will keep you posted on this page about future developments.

On of the major threats to coral reefs and marine life in general throughout South East Asia are destructive fishing methods carried out by careless/greedy and uneducated individuals and/or corporations.

On top of this list are Fishing fleets and related Industries.

sincerly the poeple at Scuba Quest