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Fish breeders face rainy season challenges
Fish breeders in Vientiane are rearing less fingerlings this rainy season due to fears that high water levels and poor water quality could make protecting stocks difficult.
Each year, fish stocks are threatened by unfavourable conditions during the rainy season in July and August that put protective breeding nets at risk of damage.
“Some breeders have released less fingerlings this wet season, while others have postponed the release of all fingerlings until the end of Buddhist lent,” Vientiane fish breeder Mr Chat Khanchaleun told Vientiane Times yesterday.
He said he normally releases about 350-400 fingerlings into each net, but during this rainy season he has released only 250-300.
“The high level and poor quality of the Mekong River caused by heavy rain at the beginning of the month killed a lot of fish in my nets, which lost me about 50 million kip,” Mr Chat said.
At present, fish breeders are also suffering from the low prices of Lao fish as residents often choose to catch their own or buy cheaper alternatives at the markets.
“At the moment we are selling fish for 14,000-15,000 kip per kg from the farm, while at the market they're selling for 17,000-18,000 kip,” he said.
Despite his many years experience in the business, he said he struggles to make a decent living from fish breeding, which prevents him from giving his children the education he would like them to have.
At present, Mr Chat has 10,000-20,000 fish in around 40 nets along the bank of the Mekong River in Hadxaifong district.
Most of his fish are sold to traders in Hom, Thapha and Thadeua village groups, he explained.
To help Lao fish breeders he has asked the Fish Farm Association and relevant government organisations to join efforts to increase the prices of fish.
Since the Lao New Year in April, Mr Chat has had to reduce the prices of fish at his farm several times, and he blames the authorities for not taking responsibility for the matter.
In April, the cost of fish was 19,000 - 20,000 kip per kg, which fell to 17,000-18,000 kip in May and now stands at 14,000-15,000 kip, said Mr Chat.
Illegal foreign fish breeders along the Ngum River are providing unfair competition to local fish farmers, according to the association.
The government is currently seeking ways to resolve the problem and is expected to act soon, association President Mr Kenchan Thairavan said.
Vientiane farmers produce between 18 and 20 tonnes of fish per day, which is considered adequate to meet the needs of consumers.
vientiane times
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