Habitat Use of Fishes and Fishing Activity in Plain Area of Southern Laos

Abstract

Fish fauna, habitats of aquatic bodies, habitat use of fishes, and local people’s fishing activities were researched in the Ban hiang River system, one branch of the Mekong River, southern Laos.
Fish fauna of this area comprised 10 orders, 31 families and about 158 species. Aquatic bodies were divided into two large water areas, : permanent water areas and : temporary water areas, and habitats were classified into 14 types. About 56 species of fishes were found that clarified relation between their ecology and habitat, and 12 habitat use patterns were recognized. Fishes inhabiting paddy fields were noteworthy in that they were not spontaneous arrivals from permanent water areas, but particular species specific to this habitat.
A total of 26 types of fishing gear were found in this area. Local fishing practices are based on a sound indigenous knowledge of the ecology of fishes. There were some differences in sex and age among fishing gear users related with safety, distance from village and so on.
The implications of expansion of irrigation and aquaculture toward aquatic resources management system were discussed.