Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee Activities during Construction of the Don Sahong Hydropower Project, southern Lao PDR, 2016 to mid-2019
30 September 2019 Don Sahong Power Company ii
Citation Hortle K.G.1 and S. Phommanivong2 (2019) Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee Activities during Construction of the Don Sahong Hydropower Project, southern Lao PDR, 2016 to mid-2019. Don Sahong Power Company, Vientiane, Lao PDR. 57 pages. 1 Advisor on Fisheries to Don Sahong Power Company 2 Fisheries Team Leader, Don Sahong Power Company
Copyright © Don Sahong Power Company. Material may be used for research and private study with citation.
Disclaimer The opinions and interpretations expressed within are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Don Sahong Power Company or the Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee.
Acknowledgments We thank the members of the Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee: Mr Pachit Noraseng, Ms Khamphou Lithisack, Mr Bounkeut Khamphitak, Mr Khambai Sisouvong, Mr Thongsai Sinchaleun, Mr Khamdeng Vonghajack, Ms Nokeo Souksan, Mr Bountham Sengsisounthone, Mr Somsai Chomphet and Mr Khamsing Bounthchaleun for their assistance.
We also thank the 88 villagers listed in this report for their useful inputs and their ongoing efforts to improve fisheries management at Khone Falls. Mr Chalouen Souliyavong, Ms Keodokmai Khemkham and Mr Nakhone Houmpheng are thanked for assisting in liaison between the Don Sahong Power Company and the committee. Mr Kongher Herjalean (DSPC Environmental and Social Manager) kindly fact-checked the report, and Mr Peter Starr reviewed and proofread the text. The Don Sahong Power Company fully funded the activities described in this report, and for their strong support we sincerely thank Mr Yeong Chee Meng (Project Director), Mr Sim See Sheng (Chief Resident Engineer) and Mr Khoo Teng Keat (Director). The Institute of Land, Water and Society of Charles Sturt University, Australia provided library facilities to support the senior author during preparation of this report.
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Contents 1. Summary ...... 1 2. Introduction ...... 2 2.1 Background to the Don Sahong Hydropower Project...... 2 2.2 A note on social impacts and programs ...... 7 2.3 Fisheries mitigation and monitoring at the DSHP ...... 7 3. Overview of the Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee ...... 8 3.1 Introduction ...... 8 3.2 Institutional Framework and Procedures ...... 8 3.2.1 Background ...... 8 3.2.2 Legal basis ...... 8 3.3 Membership of the DSFMC...... 9 4. DSFMC Activities ...... 11 4.1 Overview ...... 11 4.2 Enforcement of the Fisheries Law 2009 ...... 13 4.2.1 Removal of big gears at Khone Falls ...... 13 4.2.2 Prevention of destructive fishing ...... 24 4.3 Education ...... 28 4.4 Support for aquaculture and stocking ...... 30 4.4.1 Aquaculture ...... 30 4.4.2 National Day for Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Conservation ...... 32 4.5 Fish habitat improvement ...... 35 4.6 Training ...... 38 4.7 Identification, mapping and demarcation ...... 40 4.8 Fisher registration ...... 40 4.9 Market trader licensing ...... 40 4.10 Surveys of aquatic fauna ...... 41 5. Conclusions ...... 42 6. References ...... 43
Figures Figure 1. The Mekong River Basin and the Don Sahong Hydropower Project ...... 2 Figure 2. The Siphandon (4,000 islands) Mekong wetlands in southern Lao PDR...... 3 Figure 3. Khone Falls and the general layout of the Don Sahong Hydropower Project...... 4 Figure 4. Hydropower in the Mekong Basin; the increase in active storage since 2010 ...... 5 Figure 5. A Mekong River channel in Siphandon, about 20 km upstream of the DSHP ...... 6 Figure 6. DSFMC annual meeting at Khong District offices on 2-6-2017 ...... 13 Figure 7. History of big gear ownership by 60 households at Khone Falls ...... 14 Figure 8. Sadam Channel obstructed by a series of fence gears on 26-5-2006 ...... 15 Figure 9. A fence trap obstructs Sadam channel in January in the dry season of 2013 ...... 15 Figure 10. Sahong Channel rapids with lee and luang khang on 26-May-2006 ...... 16 Figure 11. A lee in Sahong Channel on 17-6-2014 ...... 16 Figure 12. A fence of a luang khang in Sahong Channel in May 2015 ...... 17 Figure 13. Map of the distribution of big gears at Khone Falls in mid-2015 ...... 17 Figure 14. Lee in Xang Pheuak Channel, dry season - wet season comparison ...... 18 Figure 15. Lee and luang khang block Hou Som Yai on 2-5-2015 ...... 19 Figure 16. The same location as above on 29-1-2017 ...... 19 Figure 17. Giant catfish Pangasianodon gigas (pa beuk), a protected species ...... 20 Figure 18. Big gears removed by the DSFMC from each channel from 2016 to July 2019 ... 22 Figure 19. The three types of big gears removed by the DSFMC from 2016 to July 2019 .... 22
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Figure 20. Enforcement of the Fisheries Law in Khong District, 2011 to 26-7-2019 ...... 25 Figure 21. One of five new boats provided to the DSFMC for patrolling and enforcement ... 26 Figure 22. DSFMC patrol boats heading upstream on Pbaew Nyai Channel ...... 26 Figure 23. A committee member inspecting a sluice attached to an illegal lee ...... 27 Figure 24. Illegal timber for making a lee, bought by a resident of Don Esom Village ...... 27 Figure 25. A class for improving understanding of fisheries and environmental issues ...... 28 Figure 26. A class for improving understanding of fisheries and environmental issues ...... 28 Figure 27. Students engaged in hands-on learning activities about fisheries ...... 29 Figure 28. Students answer questions about fish and fisheries ...... 29 Figure 29. Brood-stock of a red-tailed catfish, Mystus wyckioides ...... 30 Figure 30. DSFMC and DSPC staff with fingerlings for stocking fish ponds ...... 31 Figure 31. Fish fingerlings for stocking fish ponds at Hua Sadam Village ...... 31 Figure 32. DSFMC and DSPC staff with fingerlings at Hua Sadam Village ...... 32 Figure 33. Releasing fish into the Mekong River at Don Kamau on 13-7-2016 ...... 33 Figure 34. Releasing fish into the Mekong River at Ban Naa on 13-7-2017...... 33 Figure 35. Releasing fish into the Mekong River at Ban Naa on 13-7-2018...... 34 Figure 36. Releasing fish into the Mekong River at Ban Huay Temple on 12-7-2019 ...... 34 Figure 37. Students planting seedlings along Sadam Channel ...... 35 Figure 38. DSFMC members and local people plant trees along Sadam Channel ...... 36 Figure 39. DSFMC advised and paid local people to build bank protection ...... 36 Figure 40. DSFMC members on field inspection to plan fish-passage works...... 37 Figure 41. Students help to clear rocks as part of works to improve fish passage ...... 37 Figure 42. DSFMC on study tour with Thai counterparts ...... 38 Figure 43. DSFMC members inspect cage culture at Sirinthon Reservoir, Thailand ...... 39 Figure 44. DSFMC members learn about fish processing and marketing ...... 39 Figure 45. DSFMC and DSPC staff and associates at the Nam Ngum 1 Dam, Lao PDR...... 40 Figure 46. DSFMC members check market sales near Don Sadam Bridge ...... 41
Tables Table 1. Summary of Fisheries Management Activities of the DSFMC, 2016 to mid-2019 .. 11 Table 2. Total calendar-days spent on DSFMC activities each year ...... 12 Table 3. Total person-days spent on DSFMC activities each year ...... 12 Table 4. Numbers of big gears recorded in each channel at Khone Falls in mid-2015 ...... 21 Table 5. Summary of DSFMC village meetings about big gears in 2016 ...... 21 Table 6. Big gears removed by fishers employed on fish passage improvement works ...... 23
Appendices Appendix 1. Summary of ‗Fish Kills at Khone Falls in the Dry Season of 2016‘….…….....45 Appendix 2. Members of the DSFMC at village and village group level…………………...47 Appendix 3. Daily activities of the DSFMC from 30-5-2016 to 31-7-2019………...…...... 50
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Abbreviations and Acronyms DAFO District Agriculture and Forestry Office of the GoL DLF Department of Livestock and Fisheries DSFMC Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee; the organisation charged with implementing the Fisheries Law 2009 in the Don Sahong project area; it comprises provincial and district representatives of the responsible government agencies, as well as village-level and village group representatives, with some funding support provided by DSPC. DSFMP Don Sahong Fisheries Management Plan DSHP Don Sahong Hydropower Project DSPC Don Sahong Power Company Ltd EIA Environmental Impact Assessment FishMAP Fisheries Monitoring and Action Plan (of the DSPC) FCZ Fish Conservation Zone, an area where fish and habitat are protected GoL Government of Lao PDR Lao PDR Lao People‘s Democratic Republic (Laos) LAK Lao Kip LARReC Living Aquatic Resources Research Centre MONRE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Lao PDR MRC Mekong River Commission NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NTFPs Non-Timber Forest Products PAFO Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office of the GoL PNPCA Procedures for Prior Notification, Consultation and Agreement of the MRC
Glossary of some Lao words Ban Village Don Island Hang The tail or downstream tip of an island, often part of a village name, e.g. Ban Hang Sadam or Hang Sadam Village Hou A river or stream channel Hua The head, or upstream tip of an island, often part of a village name, e.g. Ban Hua Sadam or Hua Sadam Village Jib A trawl net which is set to hang stationary in the current of a river or stream Khone A place with one or more waterfalls Kum ban A group of villages; an administrative level between province and district. Lee An ‗inclined plane‘ fish trap Lob A cylindrical fishing trap which has funnels to direct fish into it and hinder their escape Luang khang A fishing gear with one or more fences that direct fish into a large box-shaped funnel trap Luang lob A fishing gear with a fence with one or more lob traps in it Luang sai A fishing gear with a fence which has small traps in it called sai Meuang District Naiban Village chief or head Nam tuk Waterfall; a term used in naming specific waterfalls, e.g. Nam Tuk Lee Phi Siphandon Four thousand islands, a 45-km reach where the Mekong River splits and flows through several anabranches in southern Lao PDR. Khone Falls is in the downstream section of Siphandon. Taat Rapids or cascades; term used to describe specific rapids (Taat Liao), or cascading waterfalls in combination with Nam Tuk (e.g. Nam Tuk Taat Khone Phapheng) Ton sai Same as luang sai
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1. Summary
The Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee (DSFMC) was established in 2016 to improve fisheries management at Khone Falls in southern Lao PDR, by a formal process which followed the Fisheries Law 2009. The committee comprises seven officials of the Lao government and 88 people from local villages, as well as the leaders of three village groups (kum ban) of Khong District. The committee is supported by (but operates independently of) the Don Sahong Power Company (DSPC). The company constructed the 260-MW Don Sahong Hydropower Project (DSHP) on Sahong Channel at Khone Falls between 2016 and mid-2019. Compared with most other hydropower projects in the Mekong basin, the DSHP is small and causes relatively minor local impacts, and unlike all other Mekong projects it does not dam the entire river, but blocks only one of seven Mekong anabranches at the site. However, Sahong Channel was considered an important pathway for fish migration, so to mitigate any negative impacts of its closure two main activities have been carried out: removal of large illegal gears which obstructed fish passage along other channels, which is the main activity carried out by the DSFMC to date; and physical improvements of other channels for fish passage, which is an activity carried out by the DSPC and is to be separately reported. Over the period 2016 to mid-2019, the DSFMC carried out six main activities. Administration included preparation of fisheries regulations and meetings in villages to set up their committees. Enforcement involved training of fishery inspectors, field inspections and removal of large illegal gears as mentioned above, as well as control of destructive fishing (electrofishing, bombing and poisoning), and market inspections. Education included preparation of materials, meetings with stakeholders, hosting classes on fisheries at schools, and erection of signage for designated areas. Aquaculture of Mekong species was supported at local hatcheries, with fingerlings provided to villagers and fish also released into the Mekong during annual events. Fish habitat improvement included stabilising river banks and replanting riparian vegetation in key areas, especially fish passages. Training of technical staff of the committee included field inspections at other hydropower sites in Thailand and Lao PDR. Activities which require more attention by the committee in future include: identification, mapping and demarcation of conservation zones, protected areas, spawning grounds and other important habitats; registration of fishers and fishery organisations; permitting activities for fishers and traders; and surveys of aquatic fauna. The committee is now well-established and has engaged hundreds of local people in education and field work to improve fisheries management at Khone Falls, which will provide sustainable benefits across the community. With ongoing support from the Don Sahong Power Company, the committee will continue its activities during the operational phase of the project, and will also address other environmental issues which affect fisheries productivity, such as pollution and disposal of waste into rivers.
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2. Introduction
2.1 Background to the Don Sahong Hydropower Project The Don Sahong Hydropower Project (DSHP) was constructed from 2016 to 2019 by the Don Sahong Power Company (DSPC) at Khone Falls in southern Lao PDR, as indicated in Figures 1 to 3.
DSHP
Tonle Sap
Figure 1. The Mekong River Basin and the Don Sahong Hydropower Project The figure is from Hecht et al. (2019) and shows Mekong basin hydropower dams which are greater than 15 MW in capacity. The DSHP and Tonle Sap labels were added.
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Khone Falls refers to the area encompassing a series of low waterfalls or cascades in the channels of the Mekong where it crosses the Great Fault Line of southern Lao PDR. As shown in Figure 2, Khone Falls is at the southern (downstream) end of Siphandon (Four Thousand Islands), a 45-km reach where the Mekong River splits and flows through several anabranches, creating numerous islands in a wetland complex, which is about 4 to 16 km wide, as discussed in detail by Daconto (2001). Siphandon is one of the most productive fisheries areas in the Mekong basin, as a consequence of a wide diversity of aquatic habitats, deposition of nutrient-rich silt by monsoonal floods, abundant algal growth in the dry season, and seasonal immigration of fish from Cambodia. The fish catch in Khong District (which includes most of Siphandon) was estimated in the 1990s to be about 4,000 tonnes per year by Baird et al. (1998), and a large proportion of the catch comprises species known to migrate upstream from Cambodia and through Khone Falls (Baran et al. 2005; Cacot 2007, Poulsen et al. 2002).
Figure 2. The Siphandon (4,000 islands) Mekong wetlands in southern Lao PDR Siphandon extends about 45 km from the northern tip of Don San downstream to the Cambodian border. The Don Sahong Hydropower Project (DSHP) is based on Sahong Channel, one of the seven main anabranches of the Mekong River at Khone Falls in southern Lao PDR as shown in Figure 3.
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Figure 3. Khone Falls and the general layout of the Don Sahong Hydropower Project The Mekong River runs from northwest to southeast and is split into seven main channels which are named in italics. Islands are in upper case and villages are in normal font. Red lines indicate the main falls/rapids/cascades in each channel. PH=powerhouse. N=Nokkasum Island. The reservoir area is shaded.
The main permanent elements of the DSHP are: a powerhouse and three embankments which together impound Sahong Channel to form a reservoir or headpond; a switchyard and a transmission line to Ban Hat (about 22 km upstream); a bridge and access roads; and a permanent village for project personnel. Temporary features include storages and workshops, construction sites, a gravel and sand plant within the reservoir footprint, and camp-style accommodation for about 600 workers. Some key parameters of the project are listed below, together with a timeline. Key Project Parameters Total project impact area: 4.6 km2 Maximum reservoir area: 2.8 km2 Power-house wall height: 25 m above existing river bed Embankments: 3 embankments of total length 7 km Operating head: 16-18 m Reservoir live storage: 0.011-0.021 km3, max. flood level 0.025 km3 Design discharge: 1,600 m3/s Turbines: 4 x Horizontal 65W bulb turbines by Alstom (GE) Capacity: 260 MW Resettlement: 14 households near the powerhouse were relocated to new houses about 1 km to the northwest near Xang Pheuak Channel. Approximate project cost: US$400 m
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Timeline – some key events Feasibility study completed: 2011 EIA approval: 2013 Don Sadam Bridge construction across Phapheng Channel: Jan 2014-Dec 2015 Concession agreement signed: 15 Sep 2015 Completion of new housing: 1 Feb 2016 Sahong Channel closure by coffer dam at the upstream entrance: 5-15 Jan 2016 Removal of upstream coffer dam and impoundment period: 27 May-11 June 2019 Commissioning period: August-November 2019 Construction of irrigation systems: 2018-2019
The regional effects of the DSHP have been a subject of considerable discussion and speculation in the media, and the project has been assessed under the Mekong River Commission‘s Procedures for Prior Notification Consultation and Agreement (PNPCA) (MRCS 2015). The DSHP is one of eleven hydropower projects proposed for the lower Mekong mainstream downstream of China (ICEM 2010). Apart from the DSHP, only Xayaburi in northern Lao PDR is currently (2019) under construction, with Pak Beng and Pak Lay (upstream of Luang Prabang) under consideration as the next Mekong mainstream hydropower projects.
Figure 4. Hydropower in the Mekong Basin; the increase in active storage since 2010 From Hecht et al. (2019). The DSHP in 2019 increased active storage by up to 0.021 km3, which is imperceptible on this scale.
Although there were no completed dams on the lower Mekong mainstream in 2017, at that time Hecht et al. (2019) estimated that 64 hydropower dam projects with capacities of at least 15 MW were already operational in the entire Mekong Basin, including on the upper Mekong (Lancang) in China and on Mekong tributaries. The completion of the DSHP in mid-2019 has added a minor amount (260 MW) to the Mekong projects‘ total generating capacity (in 2017) of more than 65,000 MW, and it has added less than 0.04% to the total active hydropower reservoir storage in 2017 of 58 km3 of water, as shown in Figure 4 (Hecht et al. 2019). It should be noted that the Mekong basin hosts many smaller (< 15 MW) hydropower projects and thousands of other dams which were built for irrigation and for other purposes (Hortle & So 2017), and which also store significant volumes of water and obstruct fish migrations.
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While there has been widespread concern expressed in the scientific literature and popular media about the possible impacts of Mekong basin dams on fish and fisheries, the vast majority of existing Mekong basin dams have not incorporated any fisheries mitigation measures, nor reported any monitoring data to quantify their actual impacts or the effectiveness of any mitigation measures (Hortle & So 2017). The DSHP is a true run-of-river scheme (i.e. power is to be generated continuously), with storage in the project‘s reservoir (or headpond) for periods of only 2 to 4 hours, and with no abstraction of water. Given its small size, there is very limited potential for storage of sediment or for water quality changes within the reservoir. Therefore the project will have insignificant impacts on hydrology, water quality and sediment transport at a regional scale (MRCS 2015). The main regional environmental issue of significance at the DSHP is the potential effect on fish and fisheries, and in particular fish migration across Khone Falls, as most Mekong basin fishes are migratory and many are long-distance migrants, and fisheries are very important in the lower Mekong basin (LMB) where most rural people depend upon rice farming and fishing for food and income (Hortle 2009). The DSHP is unique in that it will block only one of seven main anabranch channels of the river at Khone Falls (Figure 3), and affect only about 17% of the average Mekong flow at the site, with the remaining 83% of flow continuing down the existing natural channels. The other ten lower Mekong mainstream projects are all based on cross-river dams which will block 100% of the flow of the river at their sites and also create relatively large reservoirs (ICEM 2010, Table 11), which will cause more significant direct and indirect environmental impacts. It is also notable that the other Mekong mainstream dams will inundate long reaches of riverine habitat upstream in large reservoirs, creating lacustrine environments which are generally not suitable for spawning or for survival of the larvae of most river fish. The DSHP by contrast has an unusually small reservoir, which extends about 5 km along Sahong Channel as shown in Figure 3, and which has no effect on the vast wetlands of Siphandon or on the Mekong further upstream. Hence any fish which migrate upstream through alternative channels can continue to access a large expanse of highly diverse and productive riverine habitat, as exemplified in Figure 5.
Figure 5. A Mekong River channel in Siphandon, about 20 km upstream of the DSHP Looking upstream on 29/10/2018. Muang Khong is in the background.
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2.2 A note on social impacts and programs The DSHP has various direct and indirect impacts on the environment and the people in its immediate vicinity, which may be locally significant. Positive impacts include employment of local people, increased access via a bridge and roads which have reduced the costs of transport, an upgraded and stable electric supply, new infrastructure on Sadam and Sahong Islands (a school, a market, and a medical centre), and more opportunities for businesses, which include farming, trading and tourism. Negative impacts include loss of access to some land, loss of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), reduction in fishing opportunities for some people, and restrictions on large fishing gears which formerly obstructed fish passage through the channels which cross Khone Falls. The negative impacts of the project are mitigated or offset by the positive impacts mentioned above, as well as by compensation and resettlement measures and by livelihood restoration projects, as specified by the Livelihood and Resettlement Committee of the government of Lao PDR (GoL), which operates independently of the company. Social impacts and programs are not addressed in any detail in this report. It is worth noting that compared to most other large infrastructure projects in Lao PDR, which create large reservoirs and require resettlement of hundreds of households, only 14 households of 85 people have been relocated, about one kilometre from their original position to a site next to Xang Pheuak channel, as mentioned above. A further 162 households received direct payments for loss of land and other assets within the project footprint. Compensation has also been paid to 10 villages along the transmission line route. The company supports six village development funds, as well as revolving funds which provide no-interest loans to businesses. The DSPC also provides technical advice and support as well as some materials for a wide range of new livelihood projects. A company-funded irrigation project (under construction) will dramatically increase the potential for agricultural production on Sahong and Sadam Islands, which will also tend to compensate for negative impacts. The company also provides direct funding to government agencies to aid their efforts to improve environmental and social services in the surrounding area. 2.3 Fisheries mitigation and monitoring at the DSHP This report covers the activities of the DSFMC during the Construction Phase of the project from late 2015 to mid-2019, under the Don Sahong Fisheries Management Plan (DSFMP), as approved by MONRE (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment). The committee is responsible for managing the activities of people (including fishers, traders, and sellers of gear), and of living aquatic resources (fish, other aquatic animals or OAAs, and wetland vegetation). Separately, fisheries mitigation and monitoring have been carried out by the DSPC since 2009 under its approved Fisheries Monitoring and Action Plan (FishMAP), which covers physical works on fish passage, and monitoring of fish abundance and catches (see Hortle et al. 2014). Therefore, there is a clear demarcation of responsibilities between the committee and company. The company‘s activities under the FishMAP will be reported separately. Information on the DSHP and various project reports are available on the company‘s website: dshpp.com.
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3. Overview of the Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee
3.1 Introduction Fisheries management at Khone Falls is carried out by the Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee (DSFMC), which was established in May 2016 to implement the comprehensive Fisheries Law 2009 of Lao PDR, with specific objectives to: reduce fishing pressure, especially on migrating fish, to allow them to migrate through the alternative channels, to mitigate the loss of Sahong Channel for fish passage; protect, preserve and manage fisheries resources, in particular species of aquatic fauna that are endangered or in decline; and ensure sustainable exploitation of aquatic fauna. The company provides funding and some technical and administrative support to the committee, which, however, operates independently to fulfil its mandate of implementing the Fisheries Law. Funding is provided for equipment and for field expenses as they are incurred. Equipment has included five new motorised boats, safety equipment for field inspections and enforcement of regulations, as well as computers, printers and office supplies as needed for communication and reporting. Field expenses cover enforcement activities as well as meetings and educational activities in villages and schools. 3.2 Institutional Framework and Procedures 3.2.1 Background Fisheries management in Lao PDR is the responsibility of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry at the national level. The DLF primarily deals with policy, research and development, and provides technical support. The Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO) is responsible for technical support at the provincial level, while field implementation is primarily by officers who are employed by the District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO), which for Khong District is based at Muang Khong, about 20 km upstream of Khone Falls. The DSFMC comprises officers of DAFO and PAFO as well as the Deputy Governor of Khone District. District-level officers have a generally good understanding of the need to improve natural resource management, but are often constrained in their duties by lack of funding and resources. River fisheries and most of the villages in Khong District are widely dispersed and generally only accessible by boat, which makes field activities such as education, inspection and enforcement time- consuming and costly. The presence of a large infrastructure project (the DSHP) has provided government agencies with the ongoing financial support needed to carry out their work of implementing the Lao Fisheries Law. 3.2.2 Legal basis The Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee was established following the approval procedure set out in Article 50 of the Fisheries Law. The committee comprises representatives from organisations as specified in Article 51 of the Fisheries Law as follows: 1. representatives of village, district or provincial fisheries organisations; 2. representatives of fishers; 3. representatives of village or district social organisations; 4. village, district or municipal security officers; and 5. representatives of other relevant sectors as deemed necessary.
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The rights and duties of Committees for the Management of Fisheries are as specified in Article 52 of the Fisheries Law: prepare plans for the management and development of fisheries: fishing areas, conservation zones, protected areas, fish spawning grounds, areas for the expansion of fish species, fish release areas and others; propose plans and regulations for the management of fisheries including the use of fishing gear and methods, seasons and prohibitions related to the catching or trapping of certain protected aquatic animals and submit these to the municipal and district administration authorities for their consideration, approval and adoption; disseminate and publicise fisheries management plans and regulations by means of posters and announcements in the mass media; protect the rights and benefits of the fishermen including the settlement of disputes arising in the management of the water resources areas under their control; guide, follow up, and inspect the implementation of fisheries management regulations in the areas under their control; seek funding for the support to fisheries management and development in the water resources areas under their control; collect annual statistics related to fisheries, including the production, details of the fishermen, fish conservation zones and summaries and reports and submit these to the local authorities and the relevant sectors; and harmonise any village fisheries regulations with Articles 53 and 54 of the Fisheries Law. The Don Sahong Fisheries Management Regulations were prepared by the committee in consultation with villagers and promulgated on 27/03/2018. They generally follow the Law in restating its management measures in a local context.
3.3 Membership of the DSFMC Government officials The seven founding and current members of the committee are as follows.
Chairman of the Committee Mr Pachit Noraseng, Deputy Head of Dept of Agriculture and Forestry of Champasak Province, PAFO Champasak
Members of the Committee Ms Khamphou Lithisack, Deputy Governor of Khong District Mr Bounkeut Khamphitak, Head of Fishery and Livestock Management Unit, PAFO Champasak Mr Khambai Sisouvong, Head of Livestock and Fishery Sectors, PAFO Champasak Mr Thongsai Sinchaleun, Deputy of Agriculture and Forestry Office, DAFO Khong District Mr Khamdeng Vonghajack, Head of Livestock and Fishery Unit, DAFO Khong District Ms Nokeo Souksan, Technician, DAFO Khong District
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Village members of the DSFMC and their authority The Fisheries Law encourages co-management between government agencies and local communities as necessary for effective management, under Articles 51 to 53. As well as the government officers, there are eight committee members from each of 11 villages at Khone Falls (see Figure 3), or 88 village members in total as listed in Appendix 2. After several meetings, the village-level membership was finalised on 21/12/2016, as follows: 1. Thakho Village 2. Beung Ngam Village 3. Don Esom Village 4. Khone Phapheng Village 5. Hang Sadam Village 6. Hua Sadam Village 7. Don Tan Village 8. Don Det Village 9. Don Khone Village 10. Don Sahong Village 11. Hang Khone Village. In each village, the village leader (naiban) heads the committee, and the other seven members are from four organisations: the village police, village soldiers, youth union and the women‘s union. Most members are also fishers and all have an understanding of fishing and sustainability issues, because fishing is important for most of the people in all of the villages. Village members are listed in Appendix 2. The 88 village committee members are authorised by the DSFMC to carry out inspection and enforcement activities as follows. Site inspection and monitoring. Fauna protection from illegal fishing gears which block channels and prevent fish migrations and destructive fishing methods including electro-fishing, explosive and poisons. Protection of important habitat and river ecology for aquatic animals, including fish conservation zone (FCZ), fish-passages, spawning grounds and feeding habitats. Checking and investigating fishing boats which are suspected of illegal fishing activities. Checking and investigating local fishers and market traders for sale of fish caught by illegal methods as well as endangered species under the Fisheries Law. Village groups (kum ban) are an administrative level between village (ban) and district (meuang) levels. To extend the coverage of the fisheries management regulations, the committee also includes as members the three leaders of the Khone, Som and Kadan village groups, which include the 11 villages listed above, as well as 26 more villages in Siphandon (i.e. 37 villages in total for the 3 groups). See Appendix 2 for details.
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4. DSFMC Activities
4.1 Overview As discussed above, the DSFMC was set up following a formal process in May 2016. The steps taken to set up the committee included: establishing the committee, finalising all positions and roles and gaining approvals from the GoL; clarifying relationships with existing local organisations and appointing all members; and setting up administrative and financial procedures and record-keeping and audit systems. Although time-consuming, these important once-off activities provide a sound legal and administrative basis for the committee to operate effectively and to allow it to improve fisheries management at Khone Falls. A plan for activities during the construction phase of the project (2016-2019) was submitted to MONRE and approved in 2015. The activities within the plan are based on those permitted under the Fisheries Law as summarised in Table 1. Table 1. Summary of Fisheries Management Activities of the DSFMC, 2016 to mid-2019 Timing Activities Period Completed Administration: includes preparation of fisheries regulations and 1 2016-2019 ongoing meetings in villages to set up their committees Enforcement: technical training of fishery inspectors, field inspections and enforcement including removal of large illegal 2 2016-2019 ongoing gears and control of destructive fishing (electrofishing, bombing and poisoning), and market inspections Education: prepare publicity materials and disseminate; make 3 signage for designated areas, meetings with stakeholders; 2016-2019 ongoing education days at schools Aquaculture/stocking: fingerlings provided to villagers, annual 4 2016-2019 ongoing fish release day Some replanting at Xang Fish habitat improvement: stabilising river banks and replanting Pheuak and Hou Wai Channels 5 riparian vegetation in key areas, especially fish passages in 2017, Sadam Channel in 2018, Don Lai Channel in 2019 Training: training of DAFO technical staff; field inspections at 6 2017-2019 other hydropower sites in Thailand and Lao PDR Identification, mapping and demarcation: of conservation zones, 2018-2019 some mapping, 7 protected areas, spawning grounds, and important habitats. ongoing Included in 1
8 Registration of fishers and fishery organisations 2019 ongoing
Nakasang and Veunkham 9 Permitting activities for fishers and traders traders were licensed in 2017. Fishers planned.
10 Surveys of aquatic fauna Planned
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While the company funds the activities, the committee itself decides on its priorities and how to implement activities. The activities of the committee are listed in Appendix 3 and summarised in Tables 2 and 3, which show that enforcement and education have been the main focus of the committee‘s activities, with a significant amount of administration in 2017 and 2018 mainly attributable to meetings in villages to set up their memberships and functions. Table 2. Total calendar-days spent on DSFMC activities each year From 1-1-2016 to 31-7-2019. Activities 2016 2017 2018 2019 Total Administration 1 16 22 3 42 Enforcement 32 91 44 30 197 Education 4 3 7 Aquaculture/Stocking 1 2 1 2 6 Fish Habitat Improvement 10 18 28 Training 3 3 6 Fisher registration 12 12 Market Trader Licensing 2 2 Total 34 114 81 71 300
Table 3. Total person-days spent on DSFMC activities each year About 29% of the total person-days are by DSFMC members, 71% are by villagers. Activities 2016 2017 2018 2019 Total Administration 5 601 884 46 1,536 Enforcement 1,030 852 388 341 2,611 Education 877 173 1,050 Aquaculture/Stocking 248 67 213 110 638 Fish Habitat Improvement 84 526 610 Training 51 120 171 Fisher registration 300 300 Market Trader Licensing 25 25 Total 1,283 1,596 2,446 1,616 6,941
After following necessary formal administrative procedures (e.g. see Figure 6), the first priority for the committee was to remove and prevent reconstruction of big fishing gears which obstruct fish migration and are illegal under the Fisheries Law. This has been the most significant activity of the DSFMC as discussed in detail below, together with notes on the other activities.
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Figure 6. DSFMC annual meeting at Khong District offices on 2-6-2017
4.2 Enforcement of the Fisheries Law 2009 4.2.1 Removal of big gears at Khone Falls At Khone Falls, big gears which were used mainly during the early wet season included lee (inclined plane traps), luang khang (large funnel traps with fences) and jib (stationary trawls), as illustrated in Figures 7 to 16 (see also Claridge et al. 1997). These gears catch a wide range of species and sizes of fish, but in particular target fish which migrate upstream just prior to or during the early wet season (May to July) when many species spawn. Targeting spawning fish, especially larger long-lived species, is considered a serious threat to the sustainability of fisheries (Cacot 2007, De Mitcheson 2016). As well as the large wet-season gears, during the dry season the channels at Khone Falls were obstructed by various kinds of fence traps, termed ou, luang sai and ton sai; these primarily caught small or medium-sized fish which migrate upstream in search of food, particularly filamentous algae that grow during the dry season when the river water becomes clear (Baird & Flaherty 2004; Baird et al. 2003). The largest gears, lee and luang khang, were built using wood and bamboo, fastened together with cane, rope, monofilament nylon and nails. During high flows each wet season, the big gears would usually be damaged, with their components broken and/or washed away. Some of the larger pieces of timber might be re-used the following season, but each year significant quantities of new timber were required. As timber on the islands became depleted, wood was increasingly purchased to build lee and luang khang, with about 2/3 of the cost of a trap being for the timber. Much of the wood was from trees illegally logged in Cambodia and transported across the border by boat.
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Jib nets nowadays are made of modern materials including multifilament netting, nylon ropes and wire frames, which are purchased from local traders. Large jib nets block several metres of river channel and are not easily demountable. Smaller jib nets, 1-2 m wide can be set up and moved quickly, and are commonly used at night to avoid detection. The big gears, while based on traditional designs (Claridge et al. 1997), and originally only constructed on well-defined sites informally owned by local families, had become more numerous and much larger in recent years, leading to competition for fish between their owners and increasingly obstructing fish passage through the channels at Khone Falls (Figure 7). Since 2009 when the Fisheries Law was passed in Lao PDR, these big gears have been considered illegal under Article 38, because they ―unduly obstruct the passage or aquatic fauna‖ within a waterway, which is considered incompatible with the sustainable management of fisheries.
Number of gears used by 60 households
50 45
40 Lee 35 30 25 Luang 20 Khang 15 10 5 0 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020 Year Ownership Began
Figure 7. History of big gear ownership by 60 households at Khone Falls Based on interviews in mid-2015 at six villages. Most villages at Khone Falls developed since the 1940s. There were about 360 households who owned gears in mid-2015, so the total numbers of gears are approximately 6 times the numbers shown here.
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Figure 8. Sadam Channel obstructed by a series of fence gears on 26-5-2006 The view is looking upstream. There were about 20 fences along the 5-km length of the channel at that time.
Figure 9. A fence trap obstructs Sadam channel in January in the dry season of 2013 This type of trap is called ton sai or luang sai in Lao PDR.
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Figure 10. Sahong Channel rapids with lee and luang khang on 26-May-2006 Fish were obstructed at the rapids during the wet season and were caught in the lee traps as they turned back downstream. Fish which managed to pass the rapids could be caught in the luang khang (fence traps) on the upper right, or by other traps further upstream.
Figure 11. A lee in Sahong Channel on 17-6-2014 The photo is of a trap which is centre-left in Figure 10, during the early wet season and looking upstream. Lee are built in mid-channel downstream of major obstructions. Fish which turn back downstream after failing to pass obstructions swim onto the lee platform. Somphone Phommanivong (co-author of this report) is holding a catfish Pangasius conchophilus which was in pre-spawning condition.
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Figure 12. A fence of a luang khang in Sahong Channel in May 2015 Luang khang are built along the edges, where fish swim to avoid fast or turbulent water in the mid- channel. The fence is approximately 30 m long and 2 m high. Somphone Phommanivong is standing in the centre of the photograph near the fence. As water levels rise, fish swimming along the edge are directed into a trap to the right of the photograph.
Figure 13. Map of the distribution of big gears at Khone Falls in mid-2015 Yellow dots – lee, blue dots – luang khang
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Figure 14. Lee in Xang Pheuak Channel, dry season - wet season comparison Upper photo: 29-1-2014 dry season; lower photo: 19-7-2014 wet season.
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Figure 15. Lee and luang khang block Hou Som Yai on 2-5-2015 Hou Som Yai is a side channel of Phapheng Channel and was blocked by traps in many places.
Figure 16. The same location as above on 29-1-2017 Traps were removed from Hou Som Yai in 2016. Fish passage was thereby opened up along the channel, with some fishers rebuilding small fences for legal lob traps by 2017, as shown in this photo.
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For many years, villagers living in Siphandon upstream of Khone Falls had complained to officers of PAFO and DAFO about declining fish catches, which they blamed on the increased use of big gears which were catching more fish and preventing fish from migrating upstream from Cambodia into Lao PDR through Khone Falls. Khong District DAFO had been collecting forestry taxes every year from lee owners, based on the estimated value of the wood used in their construction, which was assumed to be sourced locally. These payments implied quasi-legal status for the traps. However, after the new Fisheries Law was passed in 2009, DAFO hosted several village-level meetings and co-signed agreements with the local villagers that they would reduce the numbers of big gears by 50% each year until all of the big gears were gone. However, the agreements were ignored, and the number of gears actually increased significantly in the years up to and including 2015, especially in Sahong Channel, and they were being used in more localities every year (Figure 7).
Figure 17. Giant catfish Pangasianodon gigas (pa beuk), a protected species This fish was caught in a lee in Etout Channel in July 2014 and eaten by villagers.
A field survey by the DSPC and GoL staff members in 2015 recorded 356 big gears at Khone Falls, as shown in Table 4 and Figure 13. While virtually all families at the six villages nearest to the DSHP had access to and/or partly owned one or more big gears, their construction was in many cases financed by fish traders who bought most of the catch, but who charged high rates of interest on loans.
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Table 4. Numbers of big gears recorded in each channel at Khone Falls in mid-2015 Channel Lee Luang Khang* Jib Total Somphamit/Lee Pee 19 2 21 Etout 64 25 5 94 Xang Pheuak 58 3 61 Sahong 26 52 78 Sadam 5 21 26 Phapheng & side channels 52 21 73 Mekong upstream 3 3 Total 227 122 7 356 * Includes some luang lob
To mitigate any impact on fish passage from closure of Sahong Channel, the DSPC and Government of Lao (GoL) agencies considered it was necessary to reduce the number of big gears (especially luang khang) which obstructed migration of fish attempting to swim upstream through alternative channels. In 2016, the company requested that the committee remove all big gears from Sadam Channel, which had been completely blocked in 2015 (and in earlier years) by fence traps in both wet and dry seasons (Figures 8 and 9). The company also requested selective removal of some gears from critical locations in Xang Pheuak Channel as well as prohibition of big gears in Hou Wai, a sub-channel of Xang Pheuak, to allow it to function as a fish passage. These requests were in accordance with the measures for mitigation outlined in the company‘s Environmental Impact Assessment as approved by MONRE. Advice from company staff to the DSFMC was that impacts on catches by local fishers should be reduced by allowing a certain number of big gears to be permitted and licensed at Khone Falls, with conditions set upon their design and use, and with gear ownership rights to be tradable. Nevertheless, the committee decided that all big gears should be prohibited, to comply with the Fisheries Law, and because the committee members believed that individual fishers would not tolerate other people using such gears if they could not.
Table 5. Summary of DSFMC village meetings about big gears in 2016 No Village No. of fishers who attended the meeting 1 Hang Sadam 72 2 Hua Sadam 54 3 Don Sahong 43 4 Thakho 8 5 Phieng Dee 1 6 Nakasang 4 7 Sivilay 3 8 Beung Ngam 3 9 Khone Phapheng 6 10 Don Esom 40 11 Don Khone 51 12 Hang Khone 38 13 Don Xang 6 14 Don Tholati 3 15 Hang Som 4 16 Don Det 29 Total 365
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Following approval of the DSHP and commencement of construction, the company provided funds and technical support for implementing the Fisheries Law. The DSFMC held meetings in all affected villages during early 2016 to explain that all big gears were not to be rebuilt for the approaching wet season (June-September) and existing frames of the gears should be removed by their owners or they would be destroyed. As shown in Table 5, 365 people from 16 villages attended the meetings.
No. of gears removed 400
350 Phapheng and side channels 300 Sadam
250 Sahong 200 Xang Pheuak 150
100 Etout
50 Lee 0 Phi/Somphamit 2016 2017 2018 2019 Figure 18. Big gears removed by the DSFMC from each channel from 2016 to July 2019
No. of gears removed 400
350
300
250 Jib Luang Khang 200 Lee 150
100
50
0 2016 2017 2018 2019 Year
Figure 19. The three types of big gears removed by the DSFMC from 2016 to July 2019
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As shown in Figures 18 and 19, some 323 big gears were removed in 2016, with a further 216 removed over the subsequent three-year period, making 539 gears removed in total by the committee. The numbers of gears (323) initially removed in 2016, is about 90% of the number (356) recorded in the survey in 2015 (Table 4). The number of gears in the field was similar in 2015 and 2016, but some gears were not removed until 2017, and some were removed separately during fish passage works by the DSPC in 2016 (Table 6). Big gears were removed by the DSFMC from all of the channels at Khone Falls, with the central channels of Etout, Xang Pheuak and Sahong over-represented in numbers of gears relative to the size of those channels. Over the entire period 2016-2019, 50% of the gears were lee traps, 22% were luang khang traps and 28% were jib nets. As shown in Figures 18 and 19, most of the large fixed gears (lee and luang khang) were removed in 2016, with most of the remainder removed in 2017. Since 2016 there has been limited reconstruction of the large fixed gears, with attempts by some fishers to instead use large jib nets to catch migrating fish. Meanwhile, many fishers have also taken to using small portable jib nets at night in certain relatively inaccessible locations, such as Hou Som Yai. As well as the gears removed by the committee, 108 additional big gears were removed voluntarily by villagers who were paid to work on DSPC fish passage construction activities from 2011-2016 (Table 6). Many of those villagers appeared to understand the benefits of fish being able to move freely along the channels near their home villages. Note that gears removed from Xang Pheuak Noi were not rebuilt after 2011, whereas more than half of the gears removed from Sadam Channel in 2013 were rebuilt by 2015. Table 6. Big gears removed by fishers employed on fish passage improvement works Luang Channel Location Year Lee Jib Total Khang Xang Pheuak Xang Pheuak Noi 2011 8 4 12 Xang Pheuak Xang Pheuak Noi 2012 7 7 Sadam Sadam Channel 2013 21 42 63 Xang Pheuak Hou Wai 2014 2 4 6 Xang Pheuak Luang San 2016 4 4 Xang Pheuak Nyoi Koong 2016 2 2 Phapheng side channel Sompordan 2016 6 14 Total 50 548 4 108
In summary, 647 (539+108) big gears were removed by 2019, which has improved fish passage and should lead to improved survival, growth and spawning of fish. Increased production of wild fish should provide general benefits to legitimate fishers at and near Khone Falls, where anyone may continue to freely use small-scale gears such as gill-nets, cast-nets and traps. The removal of big gears has caused a significant reduction in household catches at Khone Falls. As decided by the GoL Livelihood and Resettlement Committee, compensation has not been paid directly for the loss, because the gears were illegal (despite long-term informal ‗ownership‘ of sites by some families). However, various measures funded by the DSPC for livelihood improvement (mentioned in Section 1), as well as employment opportunities in project construction, trading and tourism are intended to compensate for any negative impacts such as reduced fish catches. To improve support for sustainable fisheries management will require ongoing education in all villages, as well as increased and consistent enforcement against destructive fishing activities at Khone Falls, and further upstream where fish catches appear to have increased
Page 23 of 57 since the big gears were removed. In the medium term, aquaculture may provide some alternative opportunities for Khone Falls‘ households and may also help to take pressure of the wild fisheries, as well as increasing the availability of complementary fishery products. 4.2.2 Prevention of destructive fishing Destructive fishing is widespread in Lao PDR and includes use of poisons, explosives, and electrofishers which are powered by batteries or generators. A survey of destructive fishing in 2016 confirmed the severity of the problem at Khone Falls (Hortle et al. 2016, available on dshpp.com and summarised in Appendix 1). Destructive fishing apparently became much more common during the 2016 dry season, from March to May. Use of insecticide-poisoned rice to catch fish is a relatively new method that became common in 2016. Many of the fish and other aquatic organisms such as shrimps, molluscs and insects which are killed by destructive fishing are not recovered, so these methods are far more damaging than conventional fishing methods. Destructive fishing is also hazardous to the perpetrators, some of whom have been killed by electrofishers or bombs in recent years, and fish that have been poisoned by toxic insecticides are a danger to anybody who eats them. Destructive fishing appears to be practised by relatively few people, who thereby affect many others who fish legally for food and to support their livelihoods. Many fishers are opposed to the use of these methods, especially explosives and poisons, but they cannot directly confront the perpetrators who may be armed and/or supported by some fish traders and local officials. The committee considered prevention of destructive fishing as its second priority after removal of big gears. It is particularly difficult to apprehend people who use destructive methods at Khone Falls because of the vast extent and complexity of riverine habitats, and the proximity of the Cambodia-Lao border. Activities often involve both Lao and Cambodian fishermen who work together and use hand-phones to communicate. Working in a cross- border gang, the Cambodians bomb a site and then return to Cambodia, with no evidence of their activities in their boat. They call their Lao colleagues, who simply travel by boat along the river downstream of the bombed area (with fishing gear on board), where they pick up the drifting fish which are dead or dying. If intercepted, the Lao fishers can claim they were going fishing and came upon the fish by chance. The illegal activities are also supported by traders who want to extract fish from Siphandon; they may provide poisons, electrofishers or explosives to anyone out to make a quick profit. So catching the perpetrators may not stop the practice, as traders can readily find more under-employed young men who are willing to take a risk and fish illegally. With support from the company, the committee has improved enforcement by arresting people for using electrofishing gear or explosives, and for other offences. After arrest, offenders are handed over to the police, who apply an escalating scale of penalties for repeat or more serious offenders, especially those using bombs. As shown in Figure 20, from 2011 to mid-2019 there were 47 arrests and convictions for fisheries-related offences, with a significant increase in 2018. The offenders comprised 35 Lao people as well as 12 Cambodians who were fishing in Lao PDR. In all cases the offenders were penalised and were fined between LAK500,000 and LAK300,000 (US$59 and US$353) and had to serve jail terms of between 2 and 30 days. The most common offence - about 68% (32/47) of all cases - was electrofishing, which in 88% (28/32) of those cases had been carried out upstream of Khone Falls. Bombing is less common than electrofishing, and is generally confined to a few areas downstream of Khone Falls, but is potentially more serious in that it kills or injures
Page 24 of 57 many fish which are not recovered, as well as being a threat to non-target species, including turtles and critically endangered river dolphins. The increased number of arrests in 2018 (Figure 20) is not likely to a reflect greater use of illegal gears, because fish were more abundant and catchable with legal gears in 2018 compared with 2016 and 2017, based on DSPC monitoring data. Rather, the increasing rate of arrests is likely to be because the DSFMC was provided with reliable boats (Figures 21 and 22) and other resources needed to detect and apprehend offenders.
No. of offenders penalised 18
16 Selling 14 Electrofishers
12 Poisoning 10
8 Fishing in FCZ
6 Electrofishing 4
2 Bombing
0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Year
Figure 20. Enforcement of the Fisheries Law in Khong District, 2011 to 26-7-2019 Note that 2019 data are not for the entire year.
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Figure 21. One of five new boats provided to the DSFMC for patrolling and enforcement
Figure 22. DSFMC patrol boats heading upstream on Pbaew Nyai Channel Near Hang Khone Village on 23-5-2019.
As well as implementing the Fisheries Law, the committee engages in ongoing dialogue with villagers and local business (Figure 23), and where necessary it deals with related issues such as illegal importation or logging of timber (Figure 24).
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Figure 23. A committee member inspecting a sluice attached to an illegal lee Upstream of Don Lai Channel at Somphamit Falls on 1-12-2018. This trap was a minor tourist attraction within the area leased for tourism, and caught few fish. The trap has since been removed.
Figure 24. Illegal timber for making a lee, bought by a resident of Don Esom Village Photo was taken on 23-4-2018. The perpetrator was fined LAK500,000 or about US$60. The timber was confiscated and donated to the village temple.
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4.3 Education DSFMC and DSPC technical staff have taught local school children about the importance of fish and fisheries for food and livelihoods to improve their understanding about the need for sustainable management. During 2018, at four local schools, 877 students were taught and were engaged in hands-on learning activities (Figures 25 to 28). The main subjects were general environmental awareness and conservation, the importance of fish passage and habitat, illegal and destructive fishing, and protected species.
Figure 25. A class for improving understanding of fisheries and environmental issues The DSMC organised the class at Hang Sadam Village Secondary School on 1-6-2018, International Children‘s Day.
Figure 26. A class for improving understanding of fisheries and environmental issues The DSMC organised the class at Hang Khone Village Secondary School on 4-5-2018.
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Figure 27. Students engaged in hands-on learning activities about fisheries The class at Thakho Village Primary School on 4-10-2018 was organised by the DSFMC.
Figure 28. Students answer questions about fish and fisheries The class at Veun Som Village Primary School on 23-10-2018 was organised by the DSFMC.
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School children have also been engaged in education by accompanying members of the DSFMC in field activities, which include replanting riparian vegetation along Khone Falls channels to stabilise banks and provide habitat, and have also been involved with fish passage works as learning exercises (Figures 37 and 41).
4.4 Support for aquaculture and stocking 4.4.1 Aquaculture For many years, the Lao government has supported small-scale aquaculture by farmers as a way of diversifying livelihoods and improving food security. Aid programmes and NGOs have helped to support government-run hatcheries, which have been set up in every province to provide cheap or free fish fry to farmers, who stock small household ponds. Commercial systems generally grow fish in cages or in livestock-fish systems, with fish stocked in wastewater treatment ponds. At Khone Falls, even if wild fish continue to be abundant, aquaculture may be valuable during periods of fish shortage or for households that do not go fishing, and may provide alternative products to wild fish, The DSFMC has supported the Ban Naa/Ban Hat hatchery station in Khong District, about 22 km upstream of the DSHP, and has purchased brood-stock (adult) fish and fish feed, with the station mass-producing Mekong silver barb (Barbonymus gonionotus) to support food security and livelihoods for project-affected households. In 2018, about 3,700 fingerlings for stocking fish ponds were given to households at two villages: Hua Sadam Village (4 households, 2,000 fingerlings) and Hang Sadam Village (3 households, 1,700 fingerlings). In 2019, about 32,400 fingerlings were given to households at three villages: Hua Sadam Village (23 households, 21,800 fingerlings), Hang Sadam Village (7 households, 3,700 fingerlings) and Don Sahong Village (8 households, 6,900 fingerlings), as shown in Figures 29-32. The fingerlings were provided in quantities which were based on the area of each household‘s ponds.
Figure 29. Brood-stock of a red-tailed catfish, Mystus wyckioides Sompanh Philavong of LARReC is holding one of several Mekong species which are being bred at Ban Naa/Ban Hat hatchery station, activities which are supported by the DSPC via the DSFMC.
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Figure 30. DSFMC and DSPC staff with fingerlings for stocking fish ponds The photo was taken at Hang Sadam Village on 22-9-2018.
Figure 31. Fish fingerlings for stocking fish ponds at Hua Sadam Village The photo was taken on 22-9-2018.
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Figure 32. DSFMC and DSPC staff with fingerlings at Hua Sadam Village The fish were provided by the DSFMC on 28-7-2019.
4.4.2 National Day for Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Conservation In July each year, Lao PDR celebrates its National Day for Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Conservation by releasing fish into natural waters throughout the country. The DSFMC organised the Khong District fish-releasing event in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, when fingerlings of about 300,000 native Lao fish were released each year about 20 km upstream of Khone Falls (see Figures 33 to 36). Stocking of indigenous fish is funded by the DSPC and aims to augment wild fish populations to compensate for any impacts of overfishing and dam development. In future years the committee will focus on supporting propagation of the more valuable species of locally caught fish, as well as species which are rare or endangered.
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Figure 33. Releasing fish into the Mekong River at Don Kamau on 13-7-2016 Don Kamau is 21 km upstream of Khone Falls, on the western side of the Mekong River. Cambodia is in the background across the river. About 300,000 indigenous fish are released each year on the National Day for Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Conservation as one effort to mitigate any effects of Sahong Channel closure and overfishing.
Figure 34. Releasing fish into the Mekong River at Ban Naa on 13-7-2017 Ban Naa is about 22 km upstream of Khone Falls next to the Mekong River on the eastern side of Khong Island.
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Figure 35. Releasing fish into the Mekong River at Ban Naa on 13-7-2018 Ms Khamphou Lithisack, Deputy Governor of Khong District and a key DSFMC member, is in the left foreground.
Figure 36. Releasing fish into the Mekong River at Ban Huay Temple on 12-7-2019 The District Governor, Mr Sanan Siphaphommachanh, is in the centre, assisted by monks. Ban Huay is on the southeastern corner of Khong Island, about 20 km upstream of Khone Falls.
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4.5 Fish habitat improvement Siphandon faces many environmental challenges, as discussed by Daconto (2001). As the population has increased, more forest has been cleared for farming, charcoal production and tourist accommodation. Clearance of vegetation from river banks leads to erosion and loss of farmland. Trees and other vegetation stabilise river banks and provide food and habitat for fish and invertebrates upon which fish feed. As water levels rise each wet season, fish swim into adjacent flooded vegetation where they feed and spawn, and where their fry can find shelter (Baird 1998). The DSFMC educates people about the need to maintain riparian vegetation and has supported planting of indigenous vegetation by students, and assisted villagers to repair river banks using traditional methods, as illustrated in Figures 37 to 39.
Figure 37. Students planting seedlings along Sadam Channel The work aims to stabilise the river banks and improve fish habitats, and it celebrated International Fish Migration Day on 21-4-18.
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Figure 38. DSFMC members and local people plant trees along Sadam Channel The photo was taken on World Environment Day 5-6-2019. Note the sediment deposited during high flows since 2018 (see Figure 37).
Figure 39. DSFMC advised and paid local people to build bank protection The photo was taken at Esom Village on 29-6-2019. The banks had eroded as a result of clearance of streamside vegetation. The gabions will trap sediment which will be planted with indigenous vegetation to stabilise the banks and improve habitat for fish.
As well as re-vegetation, the committee has a role in fish passage improvement (i.e. physical modification of channels), which is the responsibility of the DSPC as discussed in separate reports. However, the DSFMC assists by obtaining authorisation for works and meeting with people who are potentially affected.
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For example, fish passage at the main western falls (Lee Pee-Somphamit) during the dry season is severely limited by the steep drop of about 8 m over the falls. Many fish attempt to migrate upstream past these falls each year. Don Lai is a small side channel of Somphamit Channel, and it was improved for fish passage by DSPC staff and villagers during 2019. As the channel runs through a leased tourist site which is well outside (to the west) of the company‘s area of operations, the DSFMC assisted in organising improvement of Don Lai channel by gaining agreement with the lessee and organising field days for students to participate in the improvement works (Figures 40 and 41).
Figure 40. DSFMC members on field inspection to plan fish-passage works The photo was taken at Don Lai Channel on 24-11-2018. The committee coordinated with the lessee of this tourist area for enlargement of this small channel to improve fish passage through it.
Figure 41. Students help to clear rocks as part of works to improve fish passage The photo was taken at Don Lai Channel on 15-2-2019.
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4.6 Training DSFMC staff members have training and experience in fisheries and/or aquaculture, and all are well-acquainted with Siphandon fisheries issues. However, they have limited experience with hydropower projects, as the DSHP is the first large hydropower project in their region, so they can benefit by learning from others who have more practical experience. Committee members carried out field-training exercises at large hydropower projects in Thailand (Figures 42-44) and in Lao PDR (Figure 45), where their professional counterparts have long- term experience in reservoir management and fisheries and aquaculture issues.
Figure 42. DSFMC on study tour with Thai counterparts The photo was taken at Sirinthon Reservoir Thailand on 29-12-2017. DSFMC members learned about cage culture and fish processing and marketing, which are likely to have application at Khone Falls in the future.
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. Figure 43. DSFMC members inspect cage culture at Sirinthon Reservoir, Thailand The photo was taken on 30-12-2017. Cage culture can increase and stabilise fish production, improve livelihoods and reduce pressure on wild fish.
Figure 44. DSFMC members learn about fish processing and marketing The photo was taken at Sirinthon Reservoir, Thailand on 30-12-2017. Fishers‘ livelihoods can be improved by adding value to catches and by preserving the seasonal excess of fish.
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Figure 45. DSFMC and DSPC staff and associates at the Nam Ngum 1 Dam, Lao PDR The photo was taken on 8-3-2019.
4.7 Identification, mapping and demarcation Many fish conservation zones (FCZs) have been set up at or near Khone Falls since the 1990s. FCZs provide a local refuge for fish where habitat is protected and fishing is restricted, and are an important element in fisheries management. Many of the zones need to be properly mapped and signposted, which is necessary preliminary work to support their management. The committee made some progress on this issue in 2018-2019, and will focus on finishing mapping and demarcation of zones by 2020, to provide a basis for educating and supporting local communities to manage their FCZs. As well as protecting some FCZs where brood-stock may survive throughout the year, the committee plans to identify and manage fish spawning grounds and other important habitats.
4.8 Fisher registration Since 2019, the committee has been registering all fishers in each village. The ultimate aims are to involve each fisher in measures to improve fisheries management for their benefit, and to regulate access by outsiders.
4.9 Market trader licensing The DSFMC licensed traders at Veunkham and Nakasang markets in 2017. Traders pay license fees and report on their sales. The DSFMC aims to ensure they do not buy fish caught by illegal or destructive methods, and also aims to improve the quality of marketed fish and the benefits to the fishers, and continues to regularly inspect markets (Figure 46).
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Figure 46. DSFMC members check market sales near Don Sadam Bridge The photo was taken on 2-5-2019. Fish sales are checked for protected species and for evidence of capture by electrofishing, bombing or poisons.
4.10 Surveys of aquatic fauna The committee will be supported by the DSPC to survey aquatic fauna in specific locations such as FCZs or other protected areas once they are well-established and it is necessary to test their effectiveness. It should be noted that monitoring of household fish catches and fish sampling by standard methods are carried out at Khone Falls by the DSPC under its FishMAP, and will be reported separately.
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5. Conclusions
The Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee was set up and has operated effectively during the period of construction of the Don Sahong Hydropower Project to improve fisheries management at Khone Falls. Documented tangible outcomes from the committee‘s activities include: establishment of a sound framework for its activities; education of hundreds of people on the importance of fisheries and the need to improve fisheries management; removal of more than 500 large illegal fishing gears which were obstructing fish passage across Khone Falls; increased detection and penalisation of people who use destructive fishing methods, such as bombing, electrofishing and poisoning; support to aquaculture and stocking with indigenous Mekong fish species, improvement of fish habitat and stabilisation of river banks; and training of government officers in fisheries and aquaculture issues at hydropower projects. These activities will continue, and in the future the committee will extend its work to improve outcomes in other areas as mandated in the Fisheries Law. These include: documentation and management of fish conservation zones, protected areas, spawning grounds, and important habitats, support to legitimate fishers and traders, and improvement of the value of fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods, working on other environmental issues which affect fisheries, including water pollution and disposal of plastic waste into rivers, and surveys of aquatic fauna. The committee has shown that it can focus on field activities to meet the objectives of the Fisheries Law at Khone Falls, and has set an example which shows that Mekong fisheries can be managed at local level if adequate resources are provided. The Don Sahong Power Company will continue to support the committee during the operational phase of the Project, and will continue to monitor and report on the committee‘s activities and their effectiveness.
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6. References
Baird I.G. (1998) Preliminary Study of Fish Stomach Contents and Notes on the Importance of Seasonally Flooded Riverine Habitat for Mekong Fish Species. Technical Report, Centre for Protected Areas and Watershed Management, Department of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry Division, Champasak Province, Lao PDR. 28 pages. Baird I.G. & Flaherty M.S. (2004) Beyond national borders: important Mekong River medium sized migratory carps (Cyprinidae) and fisheries in Laos and Cambodia. Asian Fisheries Science 17: 279-298. Baird I.G., Flaherty M.S. & Phylavanh B. (2003) Rhythms of the river: lunar phases and migrations of small carps (Cyprinidae) in the Mekong River. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 51(1): 5-36. Baird I.G., Inthaphaysi V., Phylavanh B. & Kisouvannalath P. (1998) A Rapid Fisheries Survey in Khong District, Champassak Province, Southern Lao PDR. Centre for Protected Areas and Watershed Management, Department of Forestry, Champassak Province, Lao PDR. 31 pages. Baran E., Baird I.G. & Cans, G. (2005) Fisheries Bioecology at the Khone Falls (Mekong River, Southern Laos), WorldFish Center, Penang, Malaysia. 84 pages. Cacot P. (2007) Preliminary study for the Lao-Cambodia transboundary project, International Cooperation Center of Research in Agronomy for Development Department. PERSYST Aquaculture Research Unit. www.cirad.fr. 73 pages. Claridge G., Sorangkhoun T. & Baird I. (1997) Community Fisheries in Lao PDR: A Survey of Techniques and Issues. Technical Report 1. IUCN,The World Conservation Union, Vientiane, Lao PDR. 69 pages. Daconto G. (ed) (2001) Siphandone Wetlands, Environmental Protection and Community Development in Siphandone Wetlands Project. CESVI Cooperazione e Sviluppo, Bergamo, Italy. 192 pages. De Mitcheson Y.S. (2016) Mainstreaming fish spawning aggregations into fishery management calls for a precautionary approach. BioScience 66(4): 295-306. Hecht J.S., Lacombe G., Arias M.E., Dang T.D. & Piman T. (2019) Hydropower dams of the Mekong River basin: a review of their hydrological impacts. Journal of Hydrology 568: 285- 300. Hortle K.G. (2009) Fisheries of the Mekong River Basin. Pages 197-249 in Campbell I.C. (ed): The Mekong: Biophysical Environment of an International River Basin. Elsevier Publishers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 432 pages. Hortle K.G., Hawkins P.R., Phommanivong S. & Singsua Y. (2014) Khone Falls Fishery Monitoring Methods. Don Sahong Power Company, Vientiane, Lao PDR. 55 pages Hortle K.G., Phommanivong S., Singsua Y. & Houmpheng N. (2019) Fish Kills at Khone Falls in the Dry Season of 2016. Don Sahong Power Company, Vientiane, Lao PDR. 30 pages.
Hortle K.G. & So N. (2017) Mitigation of the impacts of dams on fisheries — a primer. Mekong Development Series 7: 1-86.
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ICEM (2010) Strategic Environmental Assessment of Hydropower on the Mekong Mainstream. Final Report. International Centre for Environmental Management, Mekong River Commission, Vientiane, Lao PDR. 198 pages. MRCS (2015) Technical Review Report on Prior Consultation for the Proposed Don Sahong Hydropower Project, Mekong River Commission Secretariat, Vientiane, Lao PDR. 49 pages. Poulsen A. F., Ouch P., Viravong S., Suntornratana U. & Nguyen T.T. (2002) Fish migrations of the Lower Mekong River Basin: implications for development planning and environmental management. MRC Technical Paper 8: 1-62.
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Appendix 1 Summary of ‘Fish Kills at Khone Falls in the Dry Season of 2016’ (Hortle et al. 2016) An investigation by staff of the Don Sahong Power Company (DSPC) during May and June of 2016 was prompted by reports of dead fish downstream of Khone Falls near the border with Cambodia, and suggestions that the fish deaths were caused by the Don Sahong Hydropower Project (DSHP). The investigation aimed to determine the extent of the problem and its likely cause(s) and to recommend follow-up actions, and included interviews of fishermen, village chiefs and government staff, and some follow-up inspection in the field. The investigation confirmed that many dead fish were seen in the river at several places at Khone Falls during the 2016 dry season (January to June) in much larger numbers than in any previous year. All people who were interviewed believe the fish to have been killed by destructive fishing, including use of explosives, poisons and electrofishers. These methods are used in the dry season when the water is clear enough to see fish. The three main destructive fishing areas are (1) along the border with Cambodia in the main Mekong channel opposite the DSHP from the dolphin pool up to Tam Ee Deng near Lee Phi Falls; (2) Phapheng Channel between the new access bridge and the falls; (3) near Don Tan, an island upstream of Khone Falls. There are no DSHP activities that could directly result in dead fish at these locations, and no likely natural causes for such fish kills, whereas destructive fishing is an entirely plausible explanation for the fish kills. Destructive fishing is increasing mainly because of strong demand in the dry season from fish traders, who finance and provide people with the equipment to kill fish. Most of the large high-value fish are trucked to Pakse and many are sold in Vientiane and in Thailand. Destructive fishing is relatively quick and efficient compared to legal methods, so once some people start to do it others tend to join in as they feel disadvantaged. According to interviewed fishers, the apparent increase in destructive fishing in the 2016 dry season is not directly related to the dam construction, but increased road access for outsiders may have exacerbated the increasing trend. Destructive fishing kills or injures many fish which are not collected and which may then float downstream. Most of the dead fish seen in 2016 appeared to originate from use of rice laced with insecticide, which is fed to fish where they can be seen feeding, primarily targeting medium-sized cyprinids (carps). This is a relatively new method that is dangerous to the users and anybody eating the fish. Some people have reportedly become sick or died in Cambodia after eating poisoned fish. The main poisons are highly toxic carbamate insecticides, which are openly and illegally sold in local villages. Fishing with explosives is indiscriminate, but mainly targets large valuable fish in deep water and is believed by Lao fishermen at Khone Falls to be only or mainly carried out by Cambodians who have particular expertise. One expert Lao fisherman believed that most of the fish sold at Khone Falls in 2016 were illegally caught, and 70% of those were from explosive fishing. It was rumoured that some of the explosives used in 2016 may have been stolen from the DSHP, but investigation has found no evidence. It should be noted that storage, handling and control of explosives at the DSHP are subject to stringent controls. It is possible that the perpetrators may have created false stories to hide the actual sources, as there are other sources of explosives in Lao PDR and many people know how to make them. For example, some Lao people were reportedly killed or injured recently while using explosives for fishing near Pakse. Electrofishers are made and sold locally in Nakasang, and many fishermen have used them, although in 2016 there was little specific information on their use. On both sides of the border, destructive fishing is carried out by Lao and Cambodian fishermen who sometimes collaborate. Fishermen from each country have been arrested and
Page 45 of 57 fined and their gear confiscated on both sides of the border for using these methods, but in Lao PDR most of the perpetrators caught recently have been upstream of the falls, where they are more likely to be seen and reported. To reduce the use of destructive methods, we recommend improved education, inspection and enforcement by the Don Sahong Fisheries Management Committee (DSFMC) to begin well before the 2017 dry season, when these activities are likely to recur. The committee during 2016 demonstrated its ability to act effectively by destroying large illegal gears, so with ongoing support it should also be able to reduce the incidence of destructive fishing. Inspection and enforcement should focus on the three main fishing areas identified, especially the two areas downstream of the falls. The committee also needs to work with the agencies responsible for controlling the sale of explosives, electrical equipment and poisons, and should inform the Ministry of Health to educate people on health risks, and should provide materials to schools and temples so they can educate people not to use these methods and not to buy fish caught using these methods. Aside from its ongoing support to the DSFMC, the company needs to communicate clearly with its staff and contractors on their obligations to restrict access to explosives and not to engage in or abet other illegal activities including destructive fishing, and to report any offenders to the police. The company also needs to improve its communications with local people and internal reporting of significant issues as they arise so they can be addressed effectively.
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Appendix 2 Members of the DSFMC at village and village group level The Don Sahong Fisheries committee and local authority established fisheries committee membership in 11 villages at Khone Falls on 21/12/2016. There are 8 committee members from each village, or 88 in total. The village leader (Naiban) heads the village committee and the other seven members are from four organisations in each village: the village police, village soldiers, youth union and the women‘s union. Most members are also fishers and all have an understanding of fishing and sustainability issues, as fishing is important in all of the villages.
1. Don Khone Village Mr Vongdao Lainapha Mr Bounpan Puiphachandeng Mr Soudchai Sybounyong Mr Bounthavy Saenthavisouk Mr Ham Mr Souk Mr Sifong Sisouphan Mr Noi Saenkhamphone
2. Hang Khone Village Mr Khamsavhaeng Sisomphone Mr Bounsieng Malaivong Mr Pong Dengmixay Mr Bounthong Phommasen Mr Sisouk Phommasen Mr Vanna Lienxay Mr Chiangkham Philavanh Mr Bounpheng Keopaseut 3. Don Esom Village Mr Ban Souvanalath Mr Khambai Mr Nouphai Mr Heuang Mr Bannoi Mr Kaenchan Mr Khongsavath Mr Bounteum 4. Don Sahong Village Mr Sakhone Koummany Mr Khian Mr Phao Mr Bounsuan Mr Vha Mr Phoi Mr Bounhom Mr Xay
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5. Hua Sadam Village Mr Souban Savanalath Mr Bounthan Mr Seng Vongkhamchan Mr Phaimany Keokiliya Mr Bounpheng Phongsavath Mr Pha Mr Sai Mrs Tanaon 6. Hang Sadam Village Mr Khamping Xayasan Somvhang Budchaleoun Mr Somphone Khounpaseut Mr Sudchai Phommaxayadeth Mr Att Mr Theoy Mr Pon Mr Ti 7. Don Tan Village Mr Bountham Sengsisounthon Mr Bounlap Soisuliya Mr Somphu Onkham Mr Bounthong Keokanya Mr Sinuan Mr Khamphaeng Mr Soukhai Mr Soukhiat 8. Don Det Village Mr Kham Chanthavong Mr Phone Sounthavong Mr Sinuan Sisamout Mr Sinon Singhaselee Mr Khamphoi Kanyasy Mrs Kham Pheuangsavanh Mr Sisavath Mr Vhai 10. Thakho Village Mr Sanchon Souphasavath Mr Vixian Souphavat Mr Bounheng Khoupaseut Mr Souliyhan Phankongsy Mr Khone Mr Bualin Mr Khammany Phommasone Mr Sioui
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11. Beung Ngam Village Mr Khamphian Phiansavath Mr Souliyathai Mr Souliya Siduangleut Mr Pho Mr Noymany Mr Suansay Xayavong Mr Kae Phonxay Mr Sonthaya 12. Khone Phapheng Village Mr Buaphan Chanthavong Mr Kaiyakone Mr Bounphen Mr Bouyou Mr Let Mr Opath Mr Khampeng Keomany Mr Thoun Keomany There are also three village groups (kum ban) which include a total of 37 villages (including the 11 villages above). Their leaders and DSFMC members are: Mr Bountham Sengsisounthone, head of Khone Village Group, who is also a member of Don Tan Village; Mr Somsai Chomphet, head of Som Village Group; and Mr Khamsing Bounthchaleun, head of Kadan Village Group.
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Appendix 3 Daily activities of the DSFMC from 30-5-2016 to 31-7-2019
No of people Date Activity Location Channel attend ing 30-05-16 Consultation meeting on big gear removal at Khone Falls DSPC Camp 10
31-05-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Hang Sadam Village 82
01-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Hua Sadam Village 63
02-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Don Sahong Village 68 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements 03-06-16 Thakho Village 54 on trap removal Khone Phapheng 04-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements 32 Village Beung Ngam & 05-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements 65 Veunkham Villages 07-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Don Esom Village 76
08-06-16 Consultation & planning meeting on big gear removal DSPC Camp 8
09-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Khone Tai Village 66
10-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Hang Khone Village 43
14-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Don Deth Village 56
15-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Khone Neua Village 37
16-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Veun Som Village 51
17-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Don Xang Village 37
18-06-16 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Nakasang Village 34 Consultation meeting on starting removal of big gear at Khong 25-06-16 Khong District 34 district Nokkasum Nyai Xang Pheuak 27-06-16 Removal of big gears 12 Channel Channel Nokkasum Nyai Xang Pheuak 28-06-16 Removal of big gears 12 Channel Channel Nokkasum Nyai Xang Pheuak 29-06-16 Removal of big gears 9 Channel Channel Nokkasum Noi Xang Pheuak 06-07-16 Removal of big gears 8 Channel Channel Nokkasum Noi Xang Pheuak 07-07-16 Removal of big gears 8 Channel Channel Nokkasum Noi Xang Pheuak 08-07-16 Removal of big gears 8 Channel Channel Nokkasum Noi Xang Pheuak 09-07-16 Removal of big gears 8 Channel Channel Don Kamau, Khong 13-07-16 Fish releasing day 248 District 15-07-16 Removal of big gears Khone Pa Soi Etout Channel 11
16-07-16 Removal of big gears Khone Pa Soi Etout Channel 12
17-07-16 Removal of big gears Khone Pa Soi Etout Channel 12
18-07-16 Removal of big gears Khone Pa Soi Etout Channel 12
19-07-16 Removal of big gears Khone Pa Soi Etout Channel 12
02-11-16 Handed over office equipment to DSFMC Don Sahong camp 5 Hang Sadam, Hang 03-11-16 Handed over boats & engines to DSFMC Khone, Don Som & 15 Don Tan Villages 06-12-16 Meeting with traders who have big gears Nakasang market 31
15-12-16 Meeting with traders who have big gears Khone Village 44
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02-01-17 Big gear removal meeting to educate fishers & make agreements Hang Sadam Village 28
03-01-17 Removal of big gears Song Pho Phapheng Channel 11
04-01-17 Removal of big gears Song Pho Phapheng Channel 11
05-01-17 Removal of big gears Song Pho Phapheng Channel 12
06-01-17 Removal of big gears Sompordan Channel Phapheng Channel 12
07-01-17 Removal of big gears Sompordan Channel Phapheng Channel 9
08-01-17 Removal of big gears Phapheng Noi Phapheng Channel 10
09-01-17 Removal of big gears Sadam Channel Sadam Channel 11
10-01-17 Removal of big gears Sadam Channel Sadam Channel 11
11-01-17 Removal of big gears Sadam Channel Sadam Channel 11 Xang Pheuak 13-01-17 Removal of big gears Xang Pheuak Noi 11 Channel Xang Pheuak 14-01-17 Removal of big gears That Vai Noi 11 Channel Xang Pheuak 15-01-17 Removal of big gears That Vai Noi 11 Channel Xang Pheuak 16-01-17 Removal of big gears That Vai Noi 10 Channel Xang Pheuak 17-01-17 Removal of big gears Xang Pheuak Yai 11 Channel Xang Pheuak 18-01-17 Removal of big gears Xang Pheuak Yai 11 Channel Xang Pheuak 19-01-17 Removal of big gears Xang Pheuak Yai 12 Channel Xang Pheuak 20-01-17 Removal of big gears Xang Pheuak Yai 11 Channel Xang Pheuak 23-01-17 Removal of big gears Hou Don Koh 11 Channel Xang Pheuak 24-01-17 Removal of big gears Hou Don Koh 11 Channel Xang Pheuak 25-01-17 Removal of big gears Hou Don Koh 10 Channel Xang Pheuak 27-01-17 Removal of big gears Nyoi Koong 8 Channel Xang Pheuak 28-01-17 Removal of big gears Luang San 9 Channel 02-02-17 Annual meeting at Pakse Pakse 53 Somphamit 04-02-17 Removal of big gears Don Lai Channel 10 Channel Somphamit 05-02-17 Removal of big gears Don Lai Channel 9 Channel Somphamit 06-02-17 Removal of big gears Don Lai Channel 9 Channel Somphamit 07-02-17 Removal of big gears Don Lai Channel 9 Channel 09-02-17 Removal of big gears Somphamit Falls Western Channels 11
10-02-17 Removal of big gears Somphamit Falls Western Channels 9
11-02-17 Removal of big gears Somphamit Falls Western Channels 9
12-02-17 Established fishery committee at village level Thakho Village 43
12-02-17 Removal of big gears Somphamit Falls Western Channels 9
14-02-17 Removal of big gears Mekong upstream Mekong upstream 5
17-02-17 Removal of big gears Khone Khoum Lee Phi Channel 12
18-02-17 Removal of big gears Khone Khoum Lee Phi Channel 12
19-02-17 Removal of big gears Khone Khoum Lee Phi Channel 12
20-02-17 Removal of big gears Khone Khoum Lee Phi Channel 12
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23-02-17 Removal of big gears Khone Khuang Lee Phi Channel 9 Beung Ngam & 24-02-17 Established fisheries committee at village level 48 Veunkham Villages 24-02-17 Removal of big gears Khone Khuang Lee Phi Channel 12
25-02-17 Removal of big gears Khone Khuang Lee Phi Channel 12 Mekong 26-02-17 Removal of big gears Kong Nyai Channel 9 downstream Mekong 27-02-17 Removal of big gears Kong Nyai Channel 9 downstream Mekong 28-02-17 Removal of big gears Kong Nyai Channel 9 downstream 01-03-17 Removal of big gears Ton Var Etout Channel 13
02-03-17 Removal of big gears Ton Var Etout Channel 12
03-03-17 Removal of big gears Ton Var Etout Channel 10 Xang Pheuak 04-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Nang Hem 7 Channel Xang Pheuak 05-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Nang Hem 7 Channel Xang Pheuak 06-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Nang Hem 7 Channel Xang Pheuak 07-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Nang Hem 7 Channel 08-03-17 Removal of big gears Kajae Vian Phapheng Channel 8
09-03-17 Removal of big gears Kajae Vian Phapheng Channel 8
10-03-17 Removal of big gears Kajae Vian Phapheng Channel 8
12-03-17 Removal of big gears Faeng Ma Phapheng Channel 8 Phapheng Falls East 13-03-17 Removal of big gears Phapheng Channel 8 Side 14-03-17 Removal of big gears Phapheng Channel Phapheng Channel 8
15-03-17 Removal of big gears Phapheng Channel Phapheng Channel 8 Xang Pheuak 21-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Som Yai 11 Channel Xang Pheuak 22-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Som Yai 9 Channel Xang Pheuak 23-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Som Yai 9 Channel Xang Pheuak 24-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Som Yai 9 Channel Xang Pheuak 25-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Som Yai 9 Channel Xang Pheuak 26-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Som Noi 9 Channel Xang Pheuak 27-03-17 Removal of big gears Hou Som Noi 9 Channel Mekong 28-03-17 Removal of big gears Don Sa Niat 8 downstream Mekong 29-03-17 Removal of big gears Don Sa Niat 8 downstream Mekong 30-03-17 Removal of big gears Don Sa Niat 8 downstream Tham Eedeng, nr Lee Mekong 31-03-17 Removal of big gears 8 Phi Falls downstream Tham Eedeng, nr Lee Mekong 01-04-17 Removal of big gears 8 Phi Falls downstream Tham Eedeng, nr Lee Mekong 02-04-17 Removal of big gears 8 Phi Falls downstream Tham Eedeng, nr Lee Mekong 03-04-17 Removal of big gears 8 Phi Falls downstream Tham Eedeng, nr Lee Mekong 04-04-17 Removal of big gears 8 Phi Falls downstream 05-04-17 Removal of big gears Tham Eedeng Mekong 8
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18-04-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Som Yai Channel Som Yai Channel 5
23-04-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Sadam Channel Sadam Channel 4 Xang Pheuak 02-05-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Xang Pheuak Channel 7 Channel Xang Pheuak 03-05-17 Continued site inspections for monitoring illegal fishing gear Xang Pheuak Channel 7 Channel Handed over funds for supporting hatchery to buy hormones & Ban Naa fish hatchery 08-05-17 7 fingerling feed station 17-05-17 Educated & signed agreement with fisher on using jib for fishing Don Sahong Village 12 Khong District DAFO 22-05-17 Quarterly meeting for Q1 18 office Phapheng Channel 03-06-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Phapheng Channel 7 downstream Meeting with fish traders from Nakasang for registration & 16-06-17 Nakasang Village 16 licensing Educated & produced agreement with fisher who used jib for 22-06-17 Don Esom Village 12 fishing Meeting with fish traders from Veunkham for registration & 27-06-17 Veunkham Village 9 licensing 05-07-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Etout Channel Etout Channel 7
13-07-17 Fish releasing day Ban Naa, Khong Island 60 Tham Eedeng, nr Lee Mekong 24-07-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears and activities 5 Phi Falls downstream Nokkasum Noi 07-08-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Nokkasum Noi 6 Channel 14-08-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Lee Phi Falls Western Channels 8 Khong District DAFO 03-09-17 Quarterly meeting for Q2 13 office 07-09-17 Fish market inspection Nakasang market 8
08-09-17 Fish market inspection Veunkham market 8
14-09-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Xang Pheuak Nyai Xang Pheuak Nyai 8 Xang Pheuak 20-09-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Don Koh 9 Channel Mekong 04-10-17 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Mekong downstream 7 downstream 21-10-17 Fish market inspection Nakasang market 8
23-10-17 Fish market inspection Veunkham market 8 Consultation meeting about establishing fishery committee at DAFO Office, Khong 28-10-17 39 village group & village level District Established fisheries committee at village community level at Som 03-11-17 Veun Som Village 43 Village Group Established fisheries committee at village community level at 15-11-17 Don Khone Village 28 Khone Village Group Established fisheries committee at village community level at 17-11-17 Thakho Village 37 Kadan Village Group 20-11-17 Established fisheries committee at village level Hua Sadam Village 48
23-11-17 Established fisheries committee at village level Hang Sadam Village 32
24-11-17 Established fisheries committee at village level Don Sahong Village 47
04-12-17 Established fisheries committee at village level Don Esom Village 45 Khone Phapheng 06-12-17 Established fisheries committee at village level 23 Village 11-12-17 Established fisheries committee at village level Hang Khone Village 33
22-12-17 Educated & made agreements with 4 fishers who used jibs Don Sahong Village Xang Pheuak Noi 9
25-12-17 Established fisheries committee at village level Don Deth Village 51 Sirinthon & Pak Mun 28-12-17 Study tour in Thailand Mun River 17 dams 29-12-17 Study tour in Thailand Sirinthon & Pak Mun Mun River 17
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Sirinthon & Pak Mun 30-12-17 Study tour in Thailand Mun River 17 dams 05-01-18 Established fisheries committee at village level Khone Tai Village 35
06-01-18 Established fisheries committee at village level Khone Neua Village 36
07-01-18 Established fisheries committee at village level Don Tan Village 31
09-01-18 Established fisheries committee at village level Don An Village 28
11-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Phapheng Channel Phapheng Channel 10
11-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Som Noi Channel Som Noi Channel 10
11-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Som Yai Channel Som Yai Channel 10 Sompordan 11-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Sompordan Channel 10 Channel 12-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Sadam Channel Sadam Channel 11 Xang Pheuak 24-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Xang Pheuak Channel 10 Channel 25-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Etout Channel Etout Channel 10 Khone Nyuak 25-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Khone Nyuak Channel 10 Channel 28-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Somphamit Falls Western Channels 11
29-01-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Lee Phi Falls Western Channels 12
03-02-18 Fish market inspection Nakasang market 7
04-02-18 Fish market inspection Veunkham market 8
05-02-18 Fish market inspection Hang Sadam market 8 Consultation meeting on producing Don Sahong Fisheries DAFO Office, Khong 10-02-18 28 Regulations District DAFO Office, Khong 13-02-18 DSFMC preparing Don Sahong Fisheries Regulations 8 District DAFO Office, Khong 14-02-18 DSFMC preparing Don Sahong Fisheries Regulations 8 District DAFO Office, Khong 15-02-18 DSFMC preparing Don Sahong Fisheries Regulations 8 District Mekong 21-02-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Mekong downstream 10 downstream Mekong 27-02-18 Dolphin pool inspection Mekong downstream 7 downstream DSFMC planning & bought explosive used for fishing from local Nanya Island Mekong 01-03-18 4 fisher Cambodia downstream Consultation meeting on theft of explosives from Don Sahong 03-03-18 DSPC site office 15 project DSFMC submitted Don Sahong Fisheries Regulations for approving 07-03-18 Khong District 3 to Khong District Governor 15-03-18 Quarterly meeting for Q1 DSPC site office 13
22-03-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Khone Village Group 11
23-03-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Kadan Village Group 5
24-03-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Som Village Group 7
27-03-18 Fish market inspection Nakasang market 6
28-03-18 Fish market inspection Veunkham market 7
29-03-18 Fish market inspection Hang Sadam market 5
04-04-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination Don Esom Village 82 Class to improve understanding about sustainable fishery Don Khone secondary 05-04-18 413 management and environmental issues school Arrested two Cambodian who were fishing in a FCZ (educated, Mekong 06-04-18 Hang Boong Pa Jook 6 fined & signed agreement) downstream Class to improve understanding about sustainable fishery Thakho primary 18-04-18 154 management and environmental issues school 11-05-18 Fish-passage inspection Xang Pheuak Noi Xang Pheuak Noi 8
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16-05-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination Don Sahong Village 52
17-05-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination Hang Sadam Village 71
26-05-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination Hua Sadam Village 48
30-05-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination Don Khone Village 88
31-05-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination Hang Khone Village 62 Class to improve understanding about sustainable fishery Hang Sadam 01-06-18 103 management and environmental issues secondary school 16-06-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Kadan Village Group 7
16-06-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Khone Village Group 8
16-06-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Som Village Group 8
24-06-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Som Yai Channel Som Yai Channel 11 Sompordan 25-06-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Sompordan Channel 11 Channel 26-06-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Lee Phi Falls Western Channels 9
13-07-18 Fish releasing day Ban Naa, Khong Island 213
23-07-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination Thakho Village 73 Khone Phapheng 24-07-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination 39 Village 15-08-18 Quarterly meeting for Q2 Khong District 13
23-08-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination Veun Som Village 79
24-08-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination Don Deth Village 47 Xang Pheuak 27-08-18 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Xang Pheuak Channel 8 Channel 29-08-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Kadan Village Group 7
29-08-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Khone Village Group 8
29-08-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Som Village Group 8
13-09-18 Don Sahong Fisheries Regulation dissemination for fish traders Khong District 47
24-09-18 Fish market inspection Nakasang market 6
25-09-18 Fish market inspection Veunkham market 7 Dolphin pool at Fai Mekong 27-09-18 Dolphin pool inspection 8 island downstream 20-10-18 Fish market inspection Nakasang market 8
21-10-18 Fish market inspection Veunkham market 7
22-10-18 Fish market inspection Hang Sadam market 6 Class to improve understanding about sustainable fishery Veun Som primary 23-10-18 207 management and environmental issues school 29-10-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Kadan Village Group 7
29-10-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Khone Village Group 8
29-10-18 Handed over funds for supporting village patrol team Som Village Group 8
02-11-18 Quarterly meeting for Q4 Khong District 13
05-11-18 Identification, mapping, demarcation of fish passage Sadam Channel Sadam Channel 9
06-11-18 Identification, mapping, demarcation of fish passage Hou Som Yai Som Yai Channel 8 Sompordan 07-11-18 Identification, mapping, demarcation of fish passage Sompordan Channel 9 Channel Xang Pheuak Noi 11-11-18 Identification, mapping, demarcation of fish passage Xang Pheuak Noi 8 Channel Xang Pheuak Noi 12-11-18 Identification, mapping, demarcation of fish passage Hou Wai 8 Channel Xang Pheuak Noi 13-11-18 Identification, mapping, demarcation of fish passage Luang Phi Teng 8 Channel
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Xang Pheuak Noi 14-11-18 Identification, mapping, demarcation of fish passage Nyoi Koong 8 Channel Xang Pheuak Noi 15-11-18 Identification, mapping, demarcation of fish passage Luang San 8 Channel Somphamit 24-11-18 Don Lai Channel survey for planning fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 10 Channel Somphamit 03-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 28 Channel Somphamit 04-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 28 Channel Somphamit 05-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 29 Channel Somphamit 06-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 07-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 08-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 09-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 10-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 11-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 12-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 13-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 14-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 15-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 16-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 17-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel Somphamit 18-02-19 Don Lai fish passage improvement Don Lai Channel 30 Channel 23-02-19 Fish market inspection Nakasang market 8
07-03-19 Study tour at Nam Ngum Dam Vientiane Province Ngam Ngum River 40
08-03-19 Study tour at Nam Ngum Dam Vientiane Province Ngam Ngum River 40
09-03-19 Study tour at Nam Ngum Dam Vientiane Province Ngam Ngum River 40 Consultation meeting on illegal fishing activities at Som Village 17-03-19 Veun Som Village 37 Group Khong District DAFO 19-03-19 Quarterly meeting for Q1 13 office Consultation meeting on illegal fishing activities at Kadan Village 22-03-19 Thakho Village 46 Group Consultation meeting on illegal fishing activities at Khone Village 23-03-19 Khone Village 44 Group DAFO Office, Khong 07-04-19 DSFC handed over funds for 3 village groups for Q1 16 District 09-04-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Khone Pa Soi Khone Pa Soi 9
10-04-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Etout Channel Etout Channel 11 Nokkasum Noi 11-04-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Nokkasum Noi 8 Channel 19-04-19 Fish market inspection Nakasang market 7 Veunkham market & 20-04-19 Fish market inspection 8 bridge 30-04-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Xang Pheuak Yai Xang Pheuak Nyai 8
05-05-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Sadam Channel Sadam Channel 8
07-05-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Som Yai Channel Som Yai Channel 9
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10-05-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Phapheng Channel Phapheng Channel 8
13-05-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Song Pho Phapheng Channel 8 DAFO Office, Khong 18-05-19 DSFC handed over funds for 3 village groups for Q2 17 District Xang Pheuak 19-05-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities That Vai Noi 6 Channel 20-05-19 Educated & fined a local fisher who used illegal fishing gear Hua Sadam Village Xang Pheuak Nyai 11
23-05-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears & activities Don Esom Village 13 International Children’s Day: educated children about the basics of 31-05-19 Sahong Village 39 fishery law and management International Children’s Day: educated children about the basics of 01-06-19 Hua Sadam Village 95 fishery law and management International Children’s Day: educated children about the basics of Khone Phapheng 02-06-19 39 fishery law and management Village 05-06-19 Re-vegetation works on World Environment Day Sadam Channel Sadam Channel 9 Ban Naa fish hatchery 08-06-19 Handover funds supporting Ban Naa hatchery station 8 station 12-06-19 Fisher registration Hua Sadam Village 26
13-06-19 Fisher registration Hua Sadam Village 33
14-06-19 Fisher registration Hua Sadam Village 17
16-06-19 Fisher registration Don Sahong Village 27
17-06-19 Fisher registration Don Sahong Village 31
18-06-19 Fisher registration Don Sahong Village 29
19-06-19 Fisher registration Don Esom Village 24
20-06-19 Fisher registration Don Esom Village 35
21-06-19 Fisher registration Don Esom Village 23 Handed over funds for building river bank protection to stop 23-06-19 Esom Village Etout Channel 42 erosion 25-06-19 Quarterly meeting for Q2 DSPC site office 9
27-06-19 Site inspection & Removal of big gear (2 jib) Song Pho Phapheng channel 7
28-06-19 Site inspection & Removal of big gear (5 luang khang) That Hua Phu Sadam channel 8 Xang Pheuak Nyai Xang Pheuak 04-07-19 Site inspection for checking illegal fishing gears 7 Channel Channel 05-07-19 Site inspection & Removal of big gear (1 lee & 3 luang khang) Pakadotok Etout channel 7
06-07-19 Fisher registration Hang Khone Village 16
07-07-19 Fisher registration Hang Khone Village 26
08-07-19 Fisher registration Hang Khone Village 13
12-07-19 Fish releasing day at Ban Huay temple Huay Village Mekong upstream 102 Xang Pheuak 17-07-19 Removal of big gear (4 jib net) Taat Vai Noi 6 Channel 18-07-19 Removal of big gears (9 jib) Khone Pa Soi Etout Channel 7 19-07-19 Removal of big gears at Sompordan (7 jib & 3 luang khang) Sompordan Channel Phapheng Channel 7 Sadam Channel west 20-07-19 Removal of big gears ( 2 luang khang) Sadam Channel 6 side Khone Phapheng Sadam Channel 21-07-19 Removal of big gears (4 luang khang) owned by Phapheng Village 7 Village east side Lee Phi Channel 23-07-19 Removal of big gears (3 jib) Khone Koh 7 east side Lee Phi Channel 29-07-19 Removal of big gears (2 jib & 9 small incomplete lee) Khone Suang 7 west side Tham Eedeng, nr Lee Mekong 31-07-19 Removal of big gears (1 small lee & 5 jib) 7 Phi Falls downstream
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