Baseline studies on indigenous freshwater prawns in northern Mekong tributaries

The Nam Ou is the longest river in the northern part of Lao PDR and the river prawn is traditionally one of the key aquatic resources in this river. The prawn has not been identified to the species level (notwithstanding several attempts thereto) and is known by its indigenous names, such as “Kung Hau Keio” (Green head prawn) and “Kung Hau deng (Red head prawn). It is only found in the raining season when the water level is increasing and the river is turbid. The local (indigenous) people are mostly living along the riverside and largely depend on the river’s aquatic resources for their subsistence. Previously the prawn was caught only for food by individual households but since 2006, after tourism to the district strongly increased, the demand increased and caused the numbers of prawn to decrease, and price of prawn to strongly increase. Nowadays the prawn is caught commercially by fisherman groups (catching groups) with the risk of over harvesting. Additionally, in the coming year the government plans to construct a dam and electric hydropower plant at upper Nam Ou river. This dam would have direct impacts on the river level and habitat of the prawn, which might result in their disappearance altogether. So far no steps have been taken to guarantee a sustainable harvest and protect the prawn’s habitat. The proposed base line study, conducted with two communities along a 40 km stretch of river, can be considered a first phase project that should lay the foundation for a follow-up action phase. The latter will be promoting the sustainable management and use of aquatic resources whilst emphasizing preservation. This should also lead to improved food security and income generation of the villagers. To save the river prawn, SADP plans to integrate awareness raising and campaign and advocacy activities in order to reduce impacts from the increased fisheries pressure and the hydropower project.