Measuring Impact

Research that works for developing countries and Australia

 

Analyses of three databases of fisheries data from the Mekong River

Project ID:
FIS/2006/137: Analyses of three databases of fisheries data from the Mekong River
Collaborating Countries:
Cambodia, Laos
Commissioned Organisation:
Murdoch University, Australia
Project Leader
Professor Norm Hall
Phone: 08 9360 7215
Fax: 08 9360 6303
Email: nhall@murdoch.edu.au
Collaborating Institutions:
  • Mekong River Commission Secretariat, Laos
  • Mekong River Commission Secretariat, Cambodia
  • Living Aquatic Resources Research Centre, Laos
  • Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Cambodia
Project Budget:
$149,867
Project Duration:
01/04/2008 - 31/05/2009
ACIAR Research Program Manager
Mr Barney Smith
Project Overview

Planned development activities within the lower Mekong basin are expected to increase demand for water resources and affect the flow regime. This will impact on fish stocks in the basin, which currently support the livelihoods and provide food security for more than 60 million people. An assessment of the likely impacts of changes in water flow on fish species would help planners to find a balance that ensures fish stocks are sustained while still achieving the developments that are essential for the region. The project aims to improve knowledge and understanding of the likely response of exploited fish stocks and their species assemblages to forecasted changes in the flow regime of the basin. The project will produce an empirical model that will provide more accurate predictions of the response of fish fauna and fisheries resources to changes in water availability and flow characteristics.