ISSN 0859-290X, Vol. 4, No. 4 – June 1999 BIG AND SMALL FISH IIN RATTANAKIRI Catch and Culture visited the North-eastern Province of Cambodia to look for fish and fisheries development. The result was two articles on the importance of two different kinds of fisheries. BIG FISH IN SREPOK AND SESAN RIVERS T he natural fish resources of Sekong, Sesan and Srepok Rivers of the North-eastern Province of Cambodia are important to more than just Rattanakiri Province. by Sam Nuov * The Mekong River in Cambodia enters from the Lao PDR through Stung Streng Province. It is joined at Stung Treng by the Sekong, Sesan and Srepok Rivers. The Sekong rises in the Lao PDR (Sekong and Attopeu Provinces) and flows through Stung Treng Province into the Mekong. The Sesan River rises in Viet Nam (Dak Lak and Gia Lai Provinces) and flows into the Mekong River across Rattanakiri Province of Cambodia. The Srepok River also rises in Viet Nam (Dak Lak Province) and flows through Mondulkiri and Rattanakiri before joining the Sesan River in Stung Treng Province. Rattanakiri is a remote place in the north-eastern part of Cambodia. A fisheries mission was undertaken from 15 to 18 March 1999 by Mr. Nao Thouk, Deputy Director, the Department of Fisheries of Cambodia, Mr. Jorgen G. Jensen, Chief of the Fisheries Unit, MRCS, and myself. Rattanakiri is the most northern province of Cambodia and is bordered to the north by the Lao PDR, to the east by Viet Nam, to the west by Stung Treng province and to the south by Mondulkiri Province. There are 12 different ethnic groups living here: Tampuan, Jarai, Lao, Kreung, Khmer, Brao, Kaveet, Phnong, Vietnamese, Chinese, Kra Chok and Preuw, with the first five being the largest groups. The people live in nine districts (Banlung, Andong Meas, Bor Keo, Kun Mun, Lumphat, O Chum, Oya'da, Taveng and Vuensai). Fish Come Up River To Spawn In Banlung, lumphat and Vuensai districts, several fisheries villages and fish landing sites of the Srepok and Sesan Rivers were visited by boat and car. A number of fishermen said that the wild fish are abundant and some species are very large. The landing site at Lor Eth village in Lumphat district (Srepok River) reported that at least 300 to 400 kg of large fish, some up to 20 kg, are landed every day. The main species belong to the Cyprinidae family (Probarbus jullieni, Catlocarpio siamensis, Cirrhinus micro/epis, Bangana behri, etc.), Pangasidae and Bagridae families (Pangasius larnaudi, Pangasius hypopthalmus, Mystus, etc.). The large sized wild fish still sold at the Banlung market in the major town of Rattanakiri come from the landing sites of the Srepok and Sesan Rivers. Mr. Chhay Weth, the Director of the Provincial Office of the Department of Agriculture in the provincial capital of Banlung, told us about the fisheries resources and their management. * Project Officer-Fisheries, MRCS Mekong Fisheries Network Newsletter SAM NUOV (SN): In terms of food security for the people, what do you think about the natural fish from the river in the province? CHHAY WETH (CW): The people here like fish very much as their main daily food and large sized fish are still abundant in the rivers (Sesan and Srepok) and wetlands areas. Not only is this area important for food security, here is the place where the mother fish go to breed and spawn during the spawning season and the baby fish migrate down to the Mekong river. Large Sized Fish Are Abundant SN: How much fish are coming in per day from the main landing site, Lor Eth on the Srepok River? CW: An average of 300 -400 kg. They are almost all large fish caught from this A gill net with an extraordinarily large mesh size is checked by Mr part of the Srepok River (Lumphat district). The fishermen always use a very big ChhayWeth, Director of the Provincial Office of the Department of mesh size of gill net (more than 20 cm) to catch the big fish (see the picture). Agriculture (at left), and Mr Jorgen G. Jensen, Chief of the MRC SN: In addition to legal fishing gears used by the fishers, are there any other Fisheries Unit, (SN) illegal gears used here? CW: So far yes. Mines and bombs or electrofishing are in use. This was out of control during the 1980s but there are only a few cases now. SN: Do you have any measures to prevent this? CW: By spreading information the people know that this is their own resource, so they stop using bombs to kill fish. A Fisheries Office Is Needed SN: How is the provincial infrastructure to take care of the wild fisheries resources here? CW: So far the Provincial Forestry Office covers all the fisheries activities in the province, but it seems that people are more interested in forestry activities. The Ministry of Agriculture is worried about the abundant fisheries resources here. So we need a separate office with professional fisheries officers in order to study and to take care of this important resource. SN: Have you made any proposal to the Ministry of Agriculture to separate the fisheries office from the forestry office in your province? CW: Not yet, but by the presence of the Deputy-Director of the Department of Fisheries here, I hope that he will help with this and perhaps the Ministry will approve it. SN: Apart from the wild fish, what about the aquaculture activities in general? CW: There are only a few ponds in the province. The lack of capital, sufficient water supply and fingerlings are the main constraints. SN : In the future, do you expect that pond aquaculture will develop here? CW : The majority of the people here are from different ethnic groups. They know nothing about aquaculture. People who have money dig a pond for fun only, I believe. But in the future, a plan for aquaculture development is needed. At present, the conservation of the wild fish is the most important issue and should be studied carefully. SN: Do you have any suggestions on the fisheries in general? CW: If NGOs or development agencies can support the province by conducting research and studies or providing training on fisheries in general and on aquaculture, I welcome them. I hope that after your visit here, - Big fish are prepared for sale at Banlung you will also have an idea of how to assist in maintaining the rich natural resources here. Market. (JGJ) At the local market in Banlung, chunks of big fish are sold for 6,000-8,000 riel per kg (1.5-2 USD/kg), more expensive than beef, but slightly cheaper than chicken which costs 10,000 riel per kg (2.5 USD). Small fish, 1-1.5 grams each, are also marketed and go for 5,000 riel per kg. Not cheap at all. Mekong Fisheries Network Newsletter FOR JARAI PEOPLE SMALL FISH IS FOOD by Jorgen G. Jensen* On rough roads up from Banlung we reach the border to Viet Nam in the mountains of the far north-eastern corner of Cambodia. And a little back from the border station and away from the road we find the Jarai Community Pok Nyai in peaceful settings of bamboo houses on stilts. Nearly 800 people live here. Chicken and pigs mix freely with the playing children on the open space between the houses, where young girls husk rice. Lowland Rice and 20 Kg of Fish The Jarai people or Gia Rai, as the name is also spelled, are ethnically related to the Cham in central Cambodia and Viet Nam, and speak a similar language. We met only one person, a young girl, who was able to speak Khmer fluently. Although most ethnic minorities in the area cultivate upland rice, the Jarai grow lowland rice six months a year. This provides some fish, frogs and other aquatic animals as well. And they fish. Small bamboo gear used for trapping snake- head are seen hanging on the houses. A small home-made reservoir dose to the village is fished for tiny fish by the children with dragnets. Small fish are pre- pared as a sauce and eaten with rice. Peace reigns in Pok Nyai village(JGJ) Snakehead is mostly used for the sour soup enjoyed throughout the region. Fish Are Eaten, Snakes Are Sold The total fish catch is about 20 kg per day, our interpreter relates, and fish is eaten about once a week. It seems little for nearly 800 people, but it is nevertheless important in the nutrition. It is the most important source of animal protein, and probably also of calcium. It adds up to 9-10 kg per capita per year. What about the pigs and chicken around here? And the forest? Don't people collect food there as well? "Everything which can be sold is sold," is the answer. Cash is also in great demand in this community. "We only eat a pig if it is sick, and a snake if it is already dead when we find it," explains our helper, conferring also from time to time with the group of women who have assembled in the shadow of a big tree where we talk. Also big fish occasionally caught are sold. They never eat eggs. Changing Landscapes A little further down the slope of the hills coffee plantations are springing up. 70,000 seedlings have been imported from Buon Me Thuot in Viet Nam and are being planted on newly cleared forest land. Also black pepper is planted, all of them requiring irrigation water for the export crops.