Mekong River Commission

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Historic Lao-Thai fish release

			In April this year, Lao and Thaiauthorities released 200,000 fingerlings of the endangered Jullien's golden carp (Probarbus jullieni) The join release of this regionally important fish was supported by MRC's Technical Advisory Body on Fisheries Management (TAB). TAB members are high-ranking officials from fisheries and water agencies in the four countries. Together the TAB implements a series of activities to strengthen transboundary fisheries managment cooperation in the Lower Mekong Basin

	PHOTO: CHALERNXAY PHOMMAVONGSA

Protecting an endangered species

			Supplied by the Thai Department of Fishereis, the fish were released in the Lao side of the river on the outskirts of Vientiane on April 22. With MRC support, the two countries have been cooperating to protect and preserve the species, establishing breeding stations along the Mekong in Loei, Nongkhai, Mukdaharn and Nakhonphanom in Thailand as well as in the southern Lao province of Champasak.

	PHOTO: CHALERNXAY PHOMMAVONGSA

Fish for today and future generations

			'Releasing fi sh into the river system will help conserve vulnerable Mekong species, with a view to maintaining aquatic biodiversity, and guaranteeing the availability of fish today and for future generations.' Jeremy Bird, MRC chief executive officer

 

	PHOTO: CHALERNXAY PHOMMAVONGSA

 

International trade ban

			Known as pa ern ta deng in Lao and pla yee sok tong in Thai (and trey trawsok in Khmer and ca tra soc in Vietnamese), Jullien’s golden carp is a popular fi sh for eating. Fishers target the species for its high market value. Declining numbers have prompted regional governments to classify the fi sh as endangered. International trade is banned.
	PHOTO: PHILIPPE CACOT

 

	PHOTO: CHALERNXAY PHOMMAVONGSA