Impacts of Mekong river commission's fisheries programme on sustainable development in Angnamhoum and Hoinamyen villages, Vientiane, Lao PDR

Abstract

Over the last two decades, countries in the Mekong sub-region especially the new members of ASEAN (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam) have undergone on number of socio-economic development, one of the most constraints is to combat poverty. The increase of population had led to the increase of demand on resources and food. It is expected that food security need to be double through scare resources. The Fisheries Programme’s objectives of Mekong River Commission (MRC) was to coordinate and sustainable development, utilization, management and conservation of the fisheries of the Mekong Basin, by focusing on rural livelihood and promoting local participation for self-sufficient. The impacts of MRC’s Fisheries Programme on Sustainable Development in Angnamhoum and Hoinamyen Villages, Vientiane, Lao PDR was chosen as a case study for thesis research. This study attempted to assess the extent to which this MRC’s sustainable development had implication for improving the livelihood development of the people in the Mekong sub-region, particularly the two fishing villages in Lao PDR. The research findings suggested that the fisheries programme or MRRF II 2000-2005 Of MRC contributed considerably positive impacts on the sustainable livelihood development of the people in Angnamhoum and Hoinamyen Villages in terms of natural, human, financial and social aspects. For example, the community took pleasure on the prosperity of its natural resource: fish catch increased, though fluctuated. Fisheries also generated employment and income to more than one hundred people in both villages; a fisher earning exceeded US$ 1,000, per year. Fisheries programme led to people’s participation and strengthened social tie, and community network, which are the key components of sustainable community development. However, it should be noted that, this particular MRRF II project had its disadvantage. In order to prevent such negative effects to occur in future similar fishing projects attempted, following factors should be taken to consideration as precaution measure. The promotion of fisheries may cause over-fishing conflicts over natural capital and human activities, and conflicts over investment on fishing gears and increased catch. Fisheries also affects people’s health; Fishermen may hit malaria while fishing at night. It is crucial to balance and ponder on these issues. Hence it is essential to maximize local resources and enable personnel skills and knowledge to achieve sustainable livelihood development for fisheries programme and other aspects of village life.