Burmese Peacock Softshell Turtle as a key species for the establishment of the Community-led Fish Conservation Areas along the Ayeyarwady River Basin in Myanmar
Abstract:
The Burmese Peacock Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia formosa, BPST), a Critically Endangered species, is endemic to Myanmar and primarily inhabits freshwater ecosystems, particularly rivers and wetlands. As an indicator species, the BPST reflects the health of freshwater habitats, which are crucial for the sustainability of capture fisheries re sources. These fisheries are Myanmar’s second most important resource after agriculture, providing essential fish based products such as fish paste and fish sauce—key nutritional staples for the population. Additionally, capture f isheries offer vital subsistence livelihoods for landless communities, ensuring both food security and economic stability for marginalized groups. BPST conservation efforts contribute to the broader protection of freshwater fish populations. Since 2022, conservation initiatives have been underway in Myanmar, with live specimens recorded at multiple locations along the Ayeyarwady River basin. The Marine Science Association Myanmar (MSAM), in collaboration with the Fauna & Flora-Myanmar Program, is leading the BPST conservation project. MSAM is engaging with eleven identified communities along the Ayeyarwady River to establish Community-led Fish Con servation Areas—an approach aligned with the Other Effective Conservation Measure (OECM) framework, which emphasizes community-based conservation efforts. MSAM has facilitated the development of community-approved conservation maps and boundaries, securing formal agreements from local communities for the establishment of these conservation areas. Currently, management plans are being discussed in collaboration with the eleven com munities and relevant stakeholders as part of the official designation process led by the Department of Fisheries. Once formally recognized, these Community-led Fish Conservation Areas will serve as a model conservation strat egy for ensuring the long-term sustainability of Myanmar’s freshwater capture fisheries.
