Vientiane Times –
World Wide Fund for Nature in Laos (WWF-Laos) in cooperation with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries on Wednesday announced community fishery co-management regulations for Xebanghieng River’s 10 fish reservations of Savannakhet province, focusing on protection of threatened aquatic species.
The announcement and official launch of the administration of 10 fish reservations in 10 targeted villages are under the ‘Fishery Community Co-Management in Xebanghieng River Project’.
WWF-Laos and the Department of Livestock and Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the project on March 14, 2019.
This project is as part of the government’s overall plan to ensure that fish and other natural aquatic resources of the Mekong River and its tributaries are managed sustainably.
The project directly targeted 10 villages in the three districts of Thapangthong, Songkhon and Phin in Savannakhet province, which have an estimated combined total population of 73,000 people.
The main objective of the project is to increase and improve the stock of aquatic resources through the establishment of fisheries co-management structures. This will ultimately support the improvement of local livelihoods. At the project’s conclusion, the impact of the support will be assessed to provide knowledge for the improvement of future initiatives.
The activities and outcomes of the project include the demarcation of 10 fish conservation zones, the establishment of 10 fishery management committees, vocational training, and practical assistance for community enterprises as an essential part of the overall plan.