Mekong diversion under way in Thailand

The Phnom Penh Post The Thai government’s planned diversion of billions of cubic metres of water from the Mekong River, described last week by a Thai Ministry of Water Resources representative as being as far as two years away, has already begun. The pumping, which is pulling water from the Mekong and its tributaries into northern Thailand’s Huay Laung basin, began several days ago, Read More…

How much economic value does the Mekong River bring to Vietnam?

VietNam Net Bridge In a recent publication, scientists, together with the Mekong River Commission  (MRC), said the Mekong River, the 12th longest in the world, will be affected by hydropower dams proposed on the river’s upper course. The fisheries alone can bring $17 billion a year, making up about 3 percent of GDP of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, said the MRC. The figures were Read More…

Biggest-ever giant grouper caught in Vietnam

Vietnam Net Bridge On January 15, a restaurant in District 7 in HCM City, bought a giant grouper weighing up to 160 kilos from fishermen in the central province of Khanh Hoa. Reportedly, this was the biggest-ever giant grouper caught in Vietnam. The giant fish of more than 2 meters long was transported from Khanh Hoa to HCM City on a refrigerator truck on the same day. The restaurant Read More…

Fisheries association awarded for cod conservation

The Fish Site SCOTLAND, UK - Scotland’s largest fisheries association has received an award from a major conservation charity for its work on rebuilding North Sea cod stocks. The Scottish White Fish Producers’ Association won best project at The Ocean Awards 2016 hosted by the Blue Marine Foundation, which aims to increase the area of the world’s oceans protected by marine Read More…

Vietnam to develop new environment monitoring network

Bernama: 14 January 2016 Vietnamese Prime Minister has approved a master plan - national natural resources and environment monitoring network - for 2016-2025 with a vision through 2030, with a view to building an observing system that meets Southeast Asian standards in the coming years. Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported that the plan is expected to provide basic information related to land Read More…

New marine reserve established in central Vietnam

Vietnam Net Bridge Authorities in the central province of Quang Ngai have just signed a decision to establish a 7,900ha sea reserve off the coast of Ly Son Island and Binh Chau Commune. The reserve area to be established aims to maintain and protect sea resources and biological varieties, and facilitate economic development and ecological tourism, while sustainably using local aquatic Read More…

Footage of elephants in Cambodia raises hopes for Asian species in…

The Guardian: 14 January 2016 Rare footage of an elephant herd roaming through Cambodia’s biggest forest sanctuary has signalled the success of a 14-year conservation programme and raised hopes for the endangered species’ survival. The camera trap footage, taken in the spectacular and remote Cardamom mountains, shows 12 elephants, including young, grazing and lumbering through the Read More…

Fish catches slowing as waters deteriorate

The Phnom Penh Post Coastal fish yields declined by 5 per cent in the past year, a coastal fishery administration officer said yesterday. Nen Chamroeun, administration official in Sihanoukville, said fishermen switching to factory work and venturing onto the water less often were the main culprits for the decline.The catch totalled 46,830 tonnes in 2015, down from 2014’s 49,250 Read More…

Indian mackerel fishing banned for two months

Khmer Times: 13 January 2016 The Fisheries Administration of Cambodia announced that they were suspending all fishing of Indian Mackerel in the Cambodian Sea starting this Friday and lasting until the end of March.  According to a statement from the Fisheries Administration, the fishing ban on this particular species of saltwater fish, known as Pla Thou or Kam Mong in Cambodia, is so they Read More…

Forecast stormy for Mekong, commission says

Khmer Times: 13 January 2016 With the threat of climate change, a long-lasting drought, and contentious dam construction in Laos, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) has its work cut out for the rest of the year. Composed of delegates from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, the MRC is in charge of managing the river that provides livelihoods and power for much of Southeast Asia. Several Read More…