Agriculture and fisheries are vital for the prosperity of the Lower Mekong Region, where a majority of rural people are agriculture-dependent livelihoods. However, the construction of irrigation infrastructure often has adverse impacts on riverine ecosystems and has threatened inland fisheries in the region.
The Fishtech project, funded by ACIAR and DFAT and led by Charles Sturt University (CSU), aims to synthesise and generate research that facilitates significant adoption of fishway technology in South East Asian countries, including mitigating the environmental impacts of irrigation development on fish migration. A recent activity of the project was the opening of a Fishway at Nam Pok in the Vang Vieng district of Lao PDR, focusing on raising local awareness of fish migration and river connectivity. As a close partner in Water for Rice and Fish project, financially sponsored by ACIAR, conducting small research activities in Lao PDR and Cambodia, AMPERES is pleased to participate in this opening event.
The event involved the participation of the Australian Ambassador to the Lao PDR, Mr H.E. Paul Kelly, the representatives of local governments of Vang Vieng, the National University of Laos, Mekong River Commission, Living Aquatic Resources Research Center, local community, and Professor Lee Baumgartner from CSU and, as well as the fishway research and construction team, and CSU's partners on improving "fish-friendly" agriculture in the Lower Mekong Region.
Fishways advance the preservation of migratory fish by facilitating a passage to reconnect the upstream and downstream habitats where river infrastructure presents. It contributes to enhancing local fisheries' income and household nutrition. In Lao PDR, hydropower dams and irrigation infrastructure are vital for economic and livelihood development; however, the constructions are barriers to fulfilling migratory fish's life stage and contribute to declining fish populations. Fishway is, therefore, one of the feasible ways to increase inland fisheries in Lao PDR.
However, a single fishway cannot provide upstream passage for all types of inland fish and only focus on target fisheries. Integrated approaches, including social and environmental interventions, are needed to enhance local community livelihood. And AMPERES, in partnership with our valued partners ACIAR, CSU and national specialists, is thriving for them.
* All photo credits to the Australian Embassy to Laos and Jim H photo