Role of wild fish in aquatic resource development in the lower Chi Valley of Thailand | |
| Author | Theera Saengrut |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AS-98-01 |
| Subject(s) | Aquatic resources conservation--Thailand--Chi Valley Aquaculture--Thailand, Northeastern |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | In general, Thai society is one in which fish traditionally played a major dietary role. Most fish production has come from capture of wild fish stocks rather than from aquaculture. Thai rural people mostly rely on natural water resources. There may be constraints in capture if fisheries resources have been overexploited and the effects may extend to wider areas. Aquaculture development may be constrained due to institutional and technical factor. The area of the lower Chi valley is one where aquaculture has been promoted for several years but its potentials are not yet clear. The objective of this study was to assess the role of wild fish as a development option in the area of the lower Chi valley, to suggest possible management strategies for sustainable management of wild fish and choose the appropriate locations for promoting aquaculture. A survey was conducted in this area to interview 180 households from the six areas, categorized by differences in agroecosystem based on wild fish catch. It was found that 53 species of wild fish were caught and available in the natural water sources. Some species were caught from trap ponds where the main species were snakehead, walking catfish and climbing perch. Wild fish played an important role for an average consumption per caput of 16.6 kgs per year and provided 4% of the total household income or Bt3,167 per household per year from selling wild fish. It was found that farmers consume wild fish from natural resources more than from trap ponds. Mostly the farmers sold wild fish in trap pond to a catching team (as wholesale) and drained themselves for retailing. In 1996, 21. 7% of farmers raised fish in trap ponds and adjacent paddy field. The most popular species were silver barb and African walking catfish. The production was 36 kgs per household per year. This is still low when compared with the average level of capture of wild fish from natural water bodies which was 250 kgs per household per year. Most farmers realized that the abundance of wild fish in this area has been declining, especially in 1996. This is the result from water pollution in the Chi river in March 1992 due to discharge of industrial waste and lower rainfall. It was found that most farmers (72%) were interested in fish culture but they were constrained by lack of water and lmowledge in fish culture. The potentials for aquaculture development are mainly among farmers in group 1, group 4 and 6. Farmers in groups 2, 3 and 5 have less potential for aquaculture development because it is at high risk from floodwater in the rainy season and they have opportunity to catch wild fish from the abundant water resources. The government, especially DOF and DOVE in this area, should be the agencies to play a major role in aquatic resources development, by 1) rehabilitating the fisheries resources in the short-term and long-term planning to establish regulations, restocking indigenous species and broodstock, 2) improvement and maintenance natural water bodies by restocking suitable fish seed, 3) promoting fish seed supply from central iii hatcheries and 4) promoting low cost aquaculture by utilizing available resources in the area, i.e. livestock manure and crop by-products. |
| Year | 1998 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems(AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Demaine, Harvey; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Edwards, Peter ;Yakupitiyage, Amararatne; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DANIDA; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1998 |