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Fishery committees to preserve river stocks
The government is looking at setting up fisheries committees to manage conservation areas as the number of fish in the nation's rivers continues to decline.
This issue is affecting villagers' income and food security nationwide, so authorities are turning their focus to sustainable management.
At present, seven provinces - Bokeo, Khammuan, Borikhamxay, Savannakhet, Champassak, Xekong and Attapeu – are home to about 150 conservation areas, Fisheries Division Director Mr Bounthong Saphackdy told Vientiane Times yesterday.
All these conservation areas already have village fisheries committees, but the Livestock and Fisheries Department, the Fisheries Division in particular, will conduct feasibility studies for more conservation areas in other villages, he said.
Each area should also have a management committee to formulate certain measures and regulations.
Such committees also decide upon the amount of fish that can be taken from conservation areas at any one time for sale and consumption, said Mr Bounthong.
Conservation areas are important fish resources for villages when it comes time to organise traditional festivals, baci ceremonies and other important events.
Due to the increasing population and the growing use of modern equipment, it has become much easier to catch fish in large quantities, and it has become necessary to protect fish populations to ensure food security.
After the Wildlife and Aquatic Law was passed in 2009, people living in the provinces, especially in certain areas, have gained a better understanding of the value of wildlife, said Mr Bounthong.
In the past, people caught river fish without any thought for their declining numbers, but fishermen now have an interest in the breeding and protection of fish to boost stocks in rivers, he said.
The department is working with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other partners to set up sustainable fish management projects on the Mekong River in various provinces.
Throughout Indochina, rural communities depend on fish for protein and in many cases, income, but because of dwindling stocks, there is now a widespread need for conservation areas.
The supply of meat and fish in towns is now sufficient and people have enough for their daily needs, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Last year, the ministry secured supplies of almost 300,000 tonnes of meat and fish nationwide, of which 170,000 tonnes was buffalo, beef and goat, and 130,000 tonnes was fish. This was sufficient to reach the per capita annual consumption target of 47kg.
vientiane times
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