Lao fish farms need protection in rainy season

Lao fish farms need protection in rainy season

The Livestock and Fisheries Department has directed its offices around the country to step up efforts to protect fish farms from contamination in the rainy season.

From May to July the heavy rainfall can cause widespread soil erosion which is then washed into streams and rivers, resulting in the river water becoming muddy. Rivers can often also be polluted with waste matter, which poses a significant risk to fish farms. Swollen rivers can also cause landslides and bank erosion, exacerbating the situation, according to the department's Director General, Dr Bounkhouang Khambounheuang.

Each year, fish stocks lost to this problem amount to over 10,000 tonnes, a significant loss of income for fish farmers.

Provincial livestock and fisheries offices should send technical staff to advise fish breeders and farmers how to continuously monitor the quality and level of river water so they can be prepared to take action when necessary.

At the moment the only course of remedial action open to them is to move their stock to a less polluted location.

Some farmers have postponed breeding until late August to avoid the problem, Fisheries Division Director Dr Bounthong Saphakdy said.

Fish farming in Laos is increasing every year, especially along the Mekong River and its tributaries, the department reported. They estimate there are about 4,800 nets of farmed fish in the country, which supply 24,000 tonnes of fish, mainly tilapia and catfish.

vientiane times