YANGON, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar government will establish the coast guard force to safeguard its 2,080-km-long coastline and territorial waters, according to a coordination meeting held at the Ministry of Transport and Communication Tuesday.

The new force is also aimed at enabling the sea route free from danger with offshore drilling, maintenance of environment and protection of natural resources along with the extended building of deep-sea ports.

It will also cope with the increased challenges arising with the new era and maritime accidents, natural disaster and air pollution, Minister of Transport and Communication U Thant Zin Maung told the meeting.

In addition, the formation of coast guard force is also aimed at dealing with non-traditional maritime security threats such as human trafficking, illegal entry, blackmarketing, illicit drug trafficking as well as illegal and irregular fishing.

The coordination and discussion will be submitted to the President's Office for further action.

Meanwhile, Myanmar authorities have banned illegal fishing at the confluence of three rivers -- Bago, Yangon and Hlaing rivers down to the mouth of the sea to reduce over-fishing in the country's waters as the number of such cases using electricity and bombs have increased in the country.

The electrocution and bombing are blamed for the decrease of fish reproduction as well as threatening the fisheries resources, biodiversity and marine life. Enditem

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