Help us implement MOP DROPs
What is MOP DROP?
MOP DROP (Myanmar Ocean Project, Disposal Rig for Ocean Plastic) is a collection shed for end-of-life fishing gear and other ocean-bound plastics built on a pontoon to be located in areas frequented by fishing boats across the archipelago in Myanmar.
Why is it important to implement them?
The thousands of fishing boats working in the region have no access to disposal facilities. Each boat during their fishing season spends between two weeks to four months at sea before returning to their home ports. The end-of-life fishing gear produced during their fishing trips along with consumer waste and marine debris their nets are catching along with fish are discarded back in the ocean. It is therefore crucial that there are solutions to tackle these problems at sea at strategically important locations and not just at ports in major cities.
Where are they going to be implemented?
During their journeys, the fishers have no access to disposal facilities and end-of-life fishing gear is often discarded at these locations.
The selected locations are visited by up to 80 to 100 boats each day during fishing season making them ideal for a trial.
How will MOP DROP work and be maintained?
The MOP DROPs will be constructed and placed at strategic locations in the bays making it easily accessible by the fishing boats to discard their end-of-life fishing gear and other marine plastics.
We will be working with local market boats that frequent these locations to sell supplies to the fishing boats to transport the collection back to the mainland.
Recyclables will be sold to local junk shops and the non-recyclables will be disposed of properly at designated land fills in the towns.
MOP DROP progress update!
The first phase of MOP DROP trial at Sitat Galet village in Lampi Marine Park has been successfully completed.
We will begin implementing the second phase/full version of MOP DROP in 2024 at Sitat Galet.
Please get in touch to see how you can support our efforts to replicate MOP DROP at Langann village.
Please read more on the progress report below;
MOP DROP (Myanmar Ocean Project, Disposal Rig for Ocean Plastic) is a collection shed for end-of-life fishing gear and other ocean-bound plastics built on a pontoon to be located in areas frequented by fishing boats across the archipelago in Myanmar.
Why is it important to implement them?
The thousands of fishing boats working in the region have no access to disposal facilities. Each boat during their fishing season spends between two weeks to four months at sea before returning to their home ports. The end-of-life fishing gear produced during their fishing trips along with consumer waste and marine debris their nets are catching along with fish are discarded back in the ocean. It is therefore crucial that there are solutions to tackle these problems at sea at strategically important locations and not just at ports in major cities.
- We can prevent further destruction of the marine ecosystem in these areas of marine biodiversity and cultural importance.
- We can prevent additional depletion of harvestable fish stock in areas where the local island communities and indigenous Moken communities are already vulnerable to overfishing and are under immerse pressure for livelihood stability.
- We can prevent harm to the fishing boats. Many of the fishers we have engaged with during our interviews have requested support for disposal facilities.
- Our ongoing surveys with the fishers at these locations are revealing that fishing boats are producing end-of-life fishing gear weighing between 20kg to 100kg each week.
Where are they going to be implemented?
- Langann village, Langann Island Group LMMA (Locally Managed Marine Area)
- Sitat Galet village, Lampi National Marine Park
During their journeys, the fishers have no access to disposal facilities and end-of-life fishing gear is often discarded at these locations.
The selected locations are visited by up to 80 to 100 boats each day during fishing season making them ideal for a trial.
How will MOP DROP work and be maintained?
The MOP DROPs will be constructed and placed at strategic locations in the bays making it easily accessible by the fishing boats to discard their end-of-life fishing gear and other marine plastics.
We will be working with local market boats that frequent these locations to sell supplies to the fishing boats to transport the collection back to the mainland.
Recyclables will be sold to local junk shops and the non-recyclables will be disposed of properly at designated land fills in the towns.
MOP DROP progress update!
The first phase of MOP DROP trial at Sitat Galet village in Lampi Marine Park has been successfully completed.
We will begin implementing the second phase/full version of MOP DROP in 2024 at Sitat Galet.
Please get in touch to see how you can support our efforts to replicate MOP DROP at Langann village.
Please read more on the progress report below;
| interim_assesment_of_pilot_mopdrop_at_sitat_galet_.pdf |
COVID & monsoon relief for island communities
The coronavirus epidemic is hitting local fishing communities in Myanmar hard.
With seafood processing plants stalling and border restrictions slowing down exports, global seafood trade has come to an abrupt halt. For fishermen relying on seafood trade and villagers depending on trading goods with fishermen that means their main source of income is dwindling.
Monsoon season with its heavy rains and dangerous storms is approaching fast, further restricting people's ability to make a living and save money to send their children to school.
We have been in touch with community leaders in several villages to find out how we can help villagers get through these hard times.
That's why we are raising funds to send a boat with at least one month worth of basic supplies (rice, oil, salt, soap) for every person to the following villages:
There are a total of 1,827 villagers in the three villages with 113 children attending local schools.
Additional funds raised will be used to cover children's school expenses.
Join us today and help families in the Myeik Archipelago cope with COVID-19 impacts and monsoon season!
With seafood processing plants stalling and border restrictions slowing down exports, global seafood trade has come to an abrupt halt. For fishermen relying on seafood trade and villagers depending on trading goods with fishermen that means their main source of income is dwindling.
Monsoon season with its heavy rains and dangerous storms is approaching fast, further restricting people's ability to make a living and save money to send their children to school.
We have been in touch with community leaders in several villages to find out how we can help villagers get through these hard times.
That's why we are raising funds to send a boat with at least one month worth of basic supplies (rice, oil, salt, soap) for every person to the following villages:
- Langann (Charlotte Island)
- Ma Gyone Galet (Bo Cho Island)
- Palawar (Thayawthadangyi Island)
There are a total of 1,827 villagers in the three villages with 113 children attending local schools.
Additional funds raised will be used to cover children's school expenses.
Join us today and help families in the Myeik Archipelago cope with COVID-19 impacts and monsoon season!
