Effects of water gate operation on fisheries in Pak Phanang River, Thailand | |
| Author | Aye Aye Lwin |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AQ-09-07 |
| Subject(s) | Hydraulic gates--Thailand--Pak Phanang River Fisheries--Effect of water gates on--Thailand--Pak Phanang River |
| Note | A thesis proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AQ-09-07 |
| Abstract | This research investigates the water gate operation, current Pak Phanang river fisheries and the effects of water gate operation on the fisheries as well as on income and livelihood of local fishers. The study was conducted in upstream and downstream area of Pak Phanang river, Pak Phanang District, southern Thailand. The area has been experiencing environmental changes in river ecosystem due to water gate operation resulting in adverse effects on its associated fisheries from 1999-2008. The study was conducted from November to December 2008 through field survey to determine the extent to which water gate operation affects on fisheries and livelihood of local fishers. The results show that when the gate is open, fish mortality occurs at both upstream and downstream. Some fish species in downstream leave the river and fish catch had declined. Twenty percent of fishers among fifty fishers have to stop fishing and some have to wait for two weeks to one month to fish again after opening the gate. The water quality degradation occurs in upstream when the gate is closed in dry season as a result of combination of factors such as stagnant flow of water, decaying water hyacinth which proliferated for many years and drainage of pesticide and herbicides from upstream agricultural farms. The upstream water experiences lowest dissolved oxygen levels during the months when water gate is closed, resulting in mortality of some fish. Interviews of 50 local fisher households reveal that the total number of species in Pak Phanang river is 57 under 35 families and has declined from 76 species (that in 2003) within five years. If compared to before gate construction the species diversity declined from 135 to 57 (42%). About 50% of local fishers rely on other livelihood besides fishing as their supplementary income source, especially fishers from upstream. The informal discussions with local fishers also show that they have difficulty to catch fish due to seasonal changes in species composition resulting from water gate operation. The research results show the effects of water gate operation on Pak Phanang river fisheries as well as on livelihood of local fishers. The cooperation of RID and DoF is necessary in order to improve the river fishery for the sake of the surrounding fishing communities. Moreover, RID should consider the generated revenue from fisheries not only from agriculture and look for means by which the negative impact on fishery might be mitigated. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AQ-09-07 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AQ) |
| Chairperson(s) | Gallardo, Wenresti G. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Yakupitiyage, Amararatne;Ebbers, Theo; Somsak Boromthanarat, |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Sweden (Sida) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |