Posted on June, 18 2009

The Governments of Lao PDR and Thailand have declared an early end to the 2009 Mekong giant catfish fishing season in an effort to protect the critically endangered species.

The Mekong giant catfish is one of the world’s largest freshwater fish, measuring up to 3 metres in length and up to 350 kilograms in weight.

The decision by authorities in Bokeo province, Laos, and Chang Rai province, Thailand, to ban fishing was taken to allow wild stocks of the species time to recover from two decades of unsustainable fishing pressure. This decision also supports the implementation of the Aquatic Animals and Wildlife Law of Lao PDR, which lists the Mekong giant catfish as an endangered species in need of protection.

“This is an important step in the right direction,” said Trang Dang Thuy, Mekong Ecoregion Coordinator with WWF Greater Mekong. “If this immense species is to survive all of the Mekong states must act together to better manage and protect the species and its critical spawning habitat,” she said.

This year’s giant catfish fishing season was due to run from April 24th to May 27th, however, policy makers in Bokeo province restricted Lao fishermen from participating in the hunt. The Bokeo Governor office then sent a letter to the Chiang Rai Governor office requesting Thailand’s cooperation. In response, Thailand stopped fishing for the Mekong giant catfish on May 7th, three weeks prior to the official end of the season.

Prior to the request, a female giant catfish weighing approximately 230 kg was captured by fishermen from Hat Krai village in Chiang Rai. This was the only catch reported during the 2009 season.

“The Mekong giant catfish is a part of Lao and Thai culture and if we want future generations to enjoy it, we need to stop fishing now. If the Mekong giant catfish becomes extinct, this fishing custom that has been passed from generation to generation, for hundreds of years, will disappear,” said Bounthong Sapakdy, Head of the Fisheries Division of the Lao Department of Livestock and Fisheries.

WWF and the Mekong River Commission and have been working with the communities and government agencies of Lao PDR and Thailand to develop trans-boundary management practices and policy for this globally important species.

“WWF is working with Thai Department of Fisheries to try and pinpoint the Mekong giant catfish spawning sites. If the spawning sites are located then they can be protected and these Mekong giants will have a better chance of recovering,” said Yangyong Sricharoen, Mekong giant catfish project manger for WWF Thailand.

Very little is known by science about the ecology or migration behaviour of the species, which is under increasing pressure from numerous threats. Estimates state there are only a few hundred – or less – of these Mekong giants left in the wild.

The Mekong giant catfish has been declining rapidly in numbers over the years. The Mekong River Commission says that more research needs to be conducted into the potential consequences of proposed hydropower schemes along the mainstream of the Mekong, especially in the lower part of the basin where dams could endanger the Mekong giant catfish further by acting as barriers to fish migration.

“If a single one of the proposed Mekong mainstream dams are constructed it will block the migration pathway of migratory fish like the Mekong giant catfish, effectively separating the fragile population into separate groups above and below the dam,” continued Trang Dang Thuy.

“This would have serious consequences for the Mekong ecosystem, with knock-on impacts on the livelihoods and food security of 60 million people dependent on the river's fishery,” she said.

The Mekong giant catfish is listed as “critically endangered” on the IUCN Red List, the highest degree of threat listing before a species becomes extinct in the wild. The species is also protected by national legislation in both Thailand and Lao PDR.