Measuring Impact

Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Culture-based fisheries development in Lao PDR

Project ID:
FIS/2005/078
Collaborating Countries:
Lao PDR, Thailand
Project Locations
Commissioned Organisation:
Deakin University, Australia
Project Leader
Professor Sena De Silva
Phone: 03 5563 3527
Fax: 03 5563 3462
Email: sena@deakin.edu.au
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Laos
  • Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia
  • Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia Pacific, Thailand
Project Budget:
$386,898
Project Duration:
01/04/2007 - 31/03/2010
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Mr Barney Smith
Project Overview

Fish is the main animal protein source of Laotian people. Current fish production, almost entirely based on the seasonal riverine and reservoir capture fisheries, approximates 30,000 tonnes per annum. There remains a gap between supply and demand that the Government of Lao PDR is endeavouring to close through aquaculture-related developments. But the industry is still in its infancy, and currently accounts for less than 250 tonnes annually. The primary objective of this project is to develop one or more technological packages that can, with village community participation, optimise yields from culture-based fisheries (CBF) practices in flood plain depressions and reservoir coves in two provinces of Lao PDR.

Project Progress Reports
Year One

The commencement of the project was unexpectedly delayed due to completion of the agreements between Deakin University/ and the other partners. However, on completion of the formalities in May 2007 the project took of the ground, with an initial filed visit to all the project sites by local and overseas (Sean De Silva, Brett Ingram, Thuy Nguyen) researchers. During these visits extensive consultations were held with village stakeholder groups and the inception workshop that brought together extension officers and relevant DoLF staff from the two provinces was held. Based on the above consultations the species selections and proportions and overall stocking densities to be used were determined through a consensus and past experience and also taking into consideration potential fingerling availability.

All procurements for the project have been done on time and already one overseas training has been accomplished.

The DOLF personnel proceeded to initiate action, particularly with regard to the first farmer CBF trial, and all this was achieved with in six weeks of initial consultation; this being the in all probability the fastest inception of a project such as this. As such the first farmer participatory CBF trial in 12 water bodies was completed in April 2008 and the raw information has been collected. This information will be analysed in due course and will be used to improve upon the second trial that is scheduled to commence in September/ October 2008.

Simultaneously progress is being made with the work associated with the optimisation of the hypophysation techniques (hormonal treatment for artificial propagation) for the two selected indigenous fish species viz. Labeo chrysophekadion and Cirrhinus molitorella as well on the development of a broodstock management plan for these two species. In the latter regard sample collections from private and governments hatcheries, as well as from the wild populations are being done. These samples will be analysed in the Genetics Laboratory, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, and for this purpose a Laotian Researcher from the Namxouang Aquaculture Development Centre has already been selected/ nominated, and the training and the analysis is expected to commence in July/ August 2008. The first experimental trials on improvements to hupophysation techniques were conducted and these data will be utilised for planning the second trial to be conducted during the forthcoming spawning season (Sept/ Oct 08).

All planned activities in this project progressed extremely satisfactorily and it could not have been smoother and more productive. The cooperation extended by all stakeholders and the degree of commitment from all continues to drive the progress; it is also evident that the stakeholders wait with much hope and expectation as means of supplementing their meagre income and accessibility to fish food during the leaner months of the capture fishery.