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Date released
20 September 2024

A new chapter in regional research collaboration has unfolded from the meeting of 25 inland waterways researchers and managers from ASEAN countries in Australia in June 2024. 

The group comprised partners from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Indonesia involved in the ACIAR-supported FishTech project. They met together for the first time in Albury in southern New South Wales to examine how Australia mitigates the impacts of irrigation infrastructure on fish populations. 

It was also the first time that fisheries and irrigation interests from these 5 countries had come together. Charles Sturt University (CSU) hosted the delegation and tour in conjunction with the FishTech project, led by CSU researcher Dr Lee Baumgartner. 

‘Solving the matters of irrigation development and fisheries sustainability are regional issues, but quite often fisheries and irrigation issues are advanced separately,’ said Dr Baumgartner.  

Collaborative problem-solving to generate win-win outcomes are now happening with this wider understanding of everyone’s issues and objectives.

Dr Lee Baumgartner
Charles Sturt University
 

The FishTech initiative was developed to alleviate the impacts of irrigation and hydropower infrastructure on fish migration and populations in the Mekong River regions. The project was initially a bilateral partnership between Australia and Laos and has expanded to include 5 ASEAN countries. 

While agricultural development is an economic and social priority for partner countries, fish remain the principal animal protein source for people and a commodity for trade and barter.  

However, the physical barriers imposed by irrigation works and hydropower facilities can block critical migration pathways for fish that need to move along waterways to reach different nursery and feeding habitats. In many areas, fish numbers began to decline. 

River with small bridge and fish passage
A fish passage in Kralanh District, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, which opened in November 2023 through the FishTech project.

This has also occurred in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin, where fish are now at less than 10% of pre-European numbers. In response to this decline, Australian researchers and engineers developed technical solutions such as fishways (also known as fish ladders) and fish screens. These allow fish to safely migrate through infrastructure barriers and prevent fish entering irrigation channels. 

Dr Baumgartner said the project’s partners proposed the visit to see the more diverse range of technical solutions implemented in Australia, compared to those advanced in Southeast Asia. 

‘Our partners were familiar with what we have done in the Mekong River countries but wanted to see what we had done on the ground in Australia,’ explained Dr Baumgartner. 

The visit included threatened species research and fish breeding programs at CSU. 

Large group of people sitting and standing outside in front of a large sign that say Charles Sturt University.
Delegates from 5 ASEAN countries visited Australia to inspect solutions to river and fish management. Photo: Charles Sturt University

 

Among the tour delegates was Cambodian Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, His Excellency Khun Savoeun. 

His Excellency said the visit provided an excellent opportunity for Mekong leaders to rethink water and fish management, and to expand efforts to maintain fish migration routes. 

‘It promoted collaboration between irrigation engineers and fishery biologists to work together on river connectivity, aiming to save both water and fish, which are essential for rural food security. 

We learned that the integration of fishery technology into river engineering is crucial for conserving fish and saving water for multiple purposes.

His Excellency Khun Savoeun
Cambodian Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,
 

His Excellency said the visit also underscored the importance of leadership in environmental planning and sustainable development in his own country.  

‘Fish are a vital Cambodian food source, with many poor households dependent on fishing for their livelihoods. 

‘This program was both useful and necessary, especially for incorporating fish passage outcomes into water and development policies.’ 

Dr Baumgartner said the visit also provided a valuable knowledge exchange for the Australian project partners.  

‘What was particularly interesting were design discussions and hearing how the different countries are developing policies and legislation to protect fish.’ 

A group of six people standing on a rock river bank with the river in the background
Cambodian FishTech delegates inspect river works in north eastern Victoria.
A large group of people outside standing over a metal structure
The FishTech delegation visiting river infrastructure in Deniliquin. Image: CSU
A group of 4 people standing in front of a weir
The FishTech delegation visiting river infrastructure in Deniliquin. Image: CSU
Researchers from Indonesia with the CSU team in Albury. Image: CSU
The FishTech delegation visiting river infrastructure in Deniliquin. Image: CSU

Dr Baumgartner also highlighted water scarcity and water security as a point of discussion, and the need for irrigation system designs to address this from a fisheries perspective so that responses don’t impact food security. 

‘Australia is a water-scarce country, but now we are talking about water scarcity in different ways. In Mekong countries it can mean increased rainy season variability linked to climate change, and water scarcity resulting from decreased water quality, including the influence of rising sea levels.’ 

Dr Baumgartner said the visit and tour provided the whole project team with valuable insights into the broader aspects of water scarcity and security, and the impacts that climate change is already having on tropical and temperate systems.  

In Australia, we expect the future will see more extreme rainfall events, more extreme droughts and increased frequency of these extremes. The Mekong countries are already experiencing this, so it was a window for us onto what our water security challenges could look like.

Dr Lee Baumgartner
Charles Sturt University 
 

The visit also opened the way for regional collaboration on water quality challenges, added Dr Baumgartner. ‘In Australia, fish kills like those seen at Menindee Lakes in NSW were a water quality issue, for example. The visiting delegation provided insights into how the Mekong countries are already addressing this.’ 

The visit was funded by ACIAR and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the ACIAR Fisheries Program and DFAT’s Mekong–Australia Partnership. 

ACIAR Project 'FishTech: Integrating technical fisheries solutions into river development programs across South-East Asia' (FIS/2018/153)

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