Political turmoil following a military coup has robbed small-scale fisherfolk in Myanmar of their decade-long success in making democracy work for them. The governance of Myanmar’s inland and coastal fisheries underwent reforms in favour of small-scale fisheries (SSF) and fishing communities in the period between 2010 and 2020. This happened through the promulgation of supportive laws, regulations and policies. Institutional mechanisms recognized the importance of SSF in the development of communities and in poverty reduction.