Aquaculture in the Mekong basin: alien or indigenous species?

thaimrcfisheries.org

The justification for the Component rests on the threat to biodiversity posed by introduction of exotic fish species for aquaculture and culture-based fisheries. Thus, the aim of the Component is to develop economically feasible aquaculture techniques for 5-8 indigenous Mekong fish species, to complement or replace the use of exotic species. This will be achieved by on-station as well as on-farm research on breeding, nursery and grow-out techniques for the selected species, followed by elaboration of extension materials and packages. The immediate target group for the component is Government researchers under the aquaculture research and development institutions in the riparian countries, while the development target group is small-scale farmers.

Aquaculture, Poverty and Needs in the Mekong Basin

2008

Aquaculture, 2015

The SOK series sets out to evaluate the state of knowledge on subjects related to the impact, management and development of hydropower on the Mekong, including its tributaries. Publications in the series are issued by the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food – Mekong Programme. The series papers draw on both regional and international experience. Papers seek to gauge what is known about a specifc subject and where there are gaps in our knowledge and understanding. All SOK papers are reviewed by experts in the feld. Each section in a SOK papers ends with a conclu-sion about the state of knowledge on that topic. This may refect high levels of certainty, intermediate levels, or low certainty.

Fisheries of the Mekong River basin. Chapter 9, pages 197-249 in: The Mekong: Biophysical Environment of an International River Basin. Ed. IC Campbell. Elsevier Publishers Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 432 pages., 2009

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Fisheries science, 2002

The Mekong Delta of Vietnam is a region rich in aquatic resources with high potential for aquacultural development. Aquaculture in the Mekong Delta is often practiced in combination with other agricultural activities such as animal husbandry and rice cultivation, and is an important factor in improving living standards among impoverished farmers. In addition, the conversion of unproductive rice land to the alternative farming of marine shrimp-rice production is expanding rapidly and helping to raise income levels of farmers engaging in rice production. Other examples of aquaculture systems are also discussed.

Environments, 2018

Fisheries in Cambodia play an important role in supporting household food security and livelihoods throughout the country. Inland fisheries production is largely dependent on numerous ecosystem services, particularly the floodwaters of the Tonle Sap Lake basin, which has been degraded from increased fishing pressure because of population growth and a rising demand for fish. To address the dual problem of food insecurity and overfishing, an integrated food security and climate change program involved the promotion of small-scale aquaculture through semi-intensive pond management. The objective of this study is to examine perceptions of small-scale aquaculture by participants in this program in order to assess the potential for aquaculture to contribute to household food security and conservation of the Tonle Sap Lake ecosystem. Focus group discussions and a household survey were conducted among current and previous fish farmers. Results demonstrate that most farmers continue to practice small-scale aquaculture as a means to supplement household food availability and income. Numerous barriers to adoption of small-scale aquaculture were identified, including access to water, prices of commercial fish feed, selling price of fish in markets and concerns about profitability. Seasonal water scarcity is the most prominent challenge in promoting aquaculture technologies, so aquaculture development should be expanded in areas where there are abundant supplies of water, or where use of water storage techniques is feasible. Aquaculture technology appears to have the potential to contribute to food security, nutrition and household income and to the conservation of the wild fisheries of the Tonle Sap Lake.