| Abstract | Wild aquatic resources include all non-cultivated plants (e.g., submerged and floating water plants, emergent and surrounding trees and shrubs) and animals (e.g., amphibians, fish, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, and waterfowls) that occur naturally in wetlands. These resources are the most reliable and inexpensive sources of food and income for poor aquatic resource-dependent communities and households with little alternative food production capacity in developing countries, including those in the Mekong River Basin. However, there is a lack of data, and thus inadequate documentation in national statistical reports, on the annual harvest size, nutritional and other values of harvested aquatic animal and plant species. Many decision-makers are unaware of their value to the rural poor, considering wetlands instead as ‘wastelands’, and paying little attention to their preservation and protection. As consequences, world’s wetlands have been lost. This study employed a combination of desk reviews; field reconnaissance; participatory rural appraisal methods; household survey; direct interviews; focused-group discussions; commune- level workshop and participant observation and sampling techniques to (i) assess the economic and nutritive value of natural aquatic resources in rural life; (ii) describe the historical development of local institutions in congruence with changing political conditions; (iii) assess recent fisheries resources management practices; (iv) assess enabling conditions for sustainability of resources; and (v) propose sustainable management and options for long-term availability of the resources in the study site.
For analysis the households were divided into WARs-dependent and WARs-non-dependent households. WARs-dependent households were defined as those in which at least one household member (either husband, wife, children or other dependent member) had engaged at least once in harvesting wild aquatic resources (fishing, catching other aquatic animals (OAAs) and harvesting aquatic plants) either within the wet or dry season of the year, for either household consumption (as human food or animal feed), or sale to generate income, or for both purposes. WARs-non-dependent households are defined as households of which no household member engages in fishing or harvesting other aquatic organisms at any time or for any purpose. These households typically run small groceries, sell home-made desserts and foods, and provide services (e.g., communal policemen, primary and secondary school teachers, motorbike taxi drivers, wage laborers etc). For comparison purposes, WARs-dependent households were divided into fishing and non-fishing households. Fishing households are those engaged in fishing (and possibly harvesting OAAs and aquatic plants) and were further divided into full-time and part-time fishing households. Full-time fishing households are those fishing for food consumption and for sale, while part-time fishing households fish for home consumption only. Non-fishing households do not fish, but catch OAAs or harvest aquatic plants.
EpiData Software (Lauritsen and Bruus 2003) was utilized to process data, and IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Studies) Statistics 19 Program to statistically analyze data in combination with a narrative approach. Data from the four groups were statistically analyzed using One-way ANOVA (analysis of variance); data from each group was compared using Independent sample t-test. One-sample t-test was used to compare data from each group with a given value from previous studies e.g., the study by Ahmed et al (2008) and the National Institute of Statistics (2011). Extreme values or outliers provided by the sample households were excluded from analysis not because of incorrect data collection or entry, but because these few outliers were not representative of the communities and skewed the mean. To estimate annual per household net income from on-, and off-farm sources, local average market prices per unit of goods were multiplied by the annual quantity of products produced/harvested and production/ operation costs deducted (Bann 2003). Lab analysis of species of aquatic animals and plants with the highest consumption rate by majority of the sampled households was conducted to get the nutrition facts necessary for daily nutrition (Kcal). Traditional resources management practice is interpreted using Performance Index and Satisfaction Index.
The results of the analysis show that wild aquatic resources make a major contribution to aquatics-dependent household income. There was a significant difference of total mean annual disposable income among the three subgroups of aquatics-dependent households (full-time fishing was higher than part-time fishing and non-fishing households). Aquatics-dependent households have a greater mean annual net income than the counterparts. Income from wild fish is the most important contribution to the total mean annual net income of aquatics-dependent households when compared with other aquatic animals and plants. Wild fish was the most important animal food protein in terms of frequency consumed either fresh or preserved products for the majority of sample households, compared with other animal protein food. Various wild aquatic plant species which were consumed by the study households contain good fiber contents.
Traditional management rules on use and harvesting resources and the right of fishers to participate in formulating rules were recognized since 1954, but not formally written. The right of local people to sanction rule breakers was profoundly affected when civil war ignited in 1968. Local institutions were completely abolished by the Democratic Kampuchea regime (1975-1978). The country was under communism from 1979 to 1992. After the change in political regime in 1993, rules governing the management of fisheries resources by local institutions were finally formally written and endorsed by the government in 2005. The present regime has provided an enabling environment for local institutions to evolve with the assistance of foreign NGOs. A community- based organization to manage and protect aquatics in the region was established since 2003 albeit local rules are still pending official approval. Majority of fishers who were interviewed that remember and understand locally devised access and management rules, have heard and seen graduated sanctioning of rules breakers. As such they trust in the existing local adjudicating team to settle rule-breaking cases. Moreover, they do not commit practices that undermine the sustainability of resources, except for electrocution which still occurs rarely. At present, local villagers see the benefits of management and conservation of fish sanctuaries. They participate in the protection of the natural ecology and biodiversity habitats. Results of performance and satisfaction index values indicate that they learned from the decentralized management approach and made progress in managing communal resources.
At present, natural resources in the region are thriving unlike in the 1990s when they were endangered. Trapeang Thma is an important fishing ground providing income and the much-needed source of food for households. It is likewise a significant conservation site for endangered wildlife species, especially water birds. However, many challenges such as widespread poverty still lie ahead. We therefore recommend that wild living aquatic organisms, as one component of wetlands, be managed and protected properly and effectively for future generations to utilize. We suggest two complementary strategies. One is to initiate an alternative or supplemental nutrition support program for the poor, such as the provision of alternative livelihood strategies. The second parallel activity is to reconcile participatory conservation, based on the indigenous knowledge system, with development alternatives, where conservation scientists and managers are partners with the fishers. Capacity building of the local community through extensions and public awareness campaigns on what are prohibited acts is suggested. Likewise, improved marketing strategy and networking with the relevant stakeholders including the private sector and NGOs to attract bird lovers and foster ecotourism could encourage the local community to actively participate in conservation. Access to, and use of aquatic resources should be a limited open access to avoid free riders. The government should formally designate the Trapeang Thma Community Fishery. There is also a need to secure long-term and appropriate levels of external aid, both technically and financially, to further strengthen local institutions, and bolster the decentralization process. |