For most people living in Myanmar, "fish" is simply a daily nutritious item on the dinner table. Yet for traditional fishers and fisher households, "fish" means family sustenance and an entire way of life. While most of us visit markets to assess whether fish looks fresh or of good quality, we remain unaware of the struggles fisherfolk endure to bring their catches to market – all the work that is involved in doing so, the risks they face and the battles they fight. Due to political instability, ordinary citizens confront numerous livelihood challenges, and traditional fisherfolk are no exception.
The following account reflects voices gathered during a field visit conducted during July this year to learn about communities in several villages along the Mon State coast, who sustain themselves through traditional, small-scale fishing operations. Stretching from Kyaikto township in the north to Ye township in the south, Mon State boasts a lengthy shoreline upon which local residents and migrants from other regions alike rely for their livelihoods. The open sea and coast also represent a natural inheritance passed down through the generations. As one 54-year-old Mon female fisher from Thanbyuzayat township shared:
"Our family has been fishing since my parents' generation. When I married, I continued fishing alongside my husband. We sell our catch locally in the village. Now in my fifties, I've spent nearly thirty years in this work."
According to local residents, marine fish that are naturally caught near the shore possess a sweet, pleasant flavour. Unlike farmed fish treated with chemicals such as formalin, they do not become hard or shrink when cooked, making them healthier for consumption. Such fishing and traditional ways of life are now under threat. | 
