Editorial
This issue of Catch and Culture is largely devoted to the hundreds of fish species found in the Mekong. Our lead article examines the considerable taxonomic work that has been done since the MRC Fisheries programme published the Mekong Fish Database in 2003. With many changes to the classification of Mekong fishes and descriptions of at least 15 new inland species over the past six years, an updated count finds that the system has about 1,100 species including about 850 "freshwater" species known to scientists. This estimate includes some undescribed species as well as brackish water and "visitors" from marine or coastal waters.
The use of indigenous and alien species in aquaculture is the theme of a series of three articles on fish farming in the lower basin. We look first at recent developments with the nine native Mekong species that the programme has targetted to complement or replace alien species. The second article examines some of the alien species introduced into the lower basin over the past century and recent efforts to address the limited supplies of native fingerlings, one of the biggest constraints to farming native species. The third article looks at the business of running a fish farm in Cambodia, as related first-hand by a farmer who has been raising, nursing and breeding four species of Mekong fishes over the past six years.
Another article covers this year's fishing quota for the Mekong giant catfish, the critically-endangered flagship species of the lower basin. Our special insert in this edition is on another critically-endangered giant species-Jullien's golden carp. This was the species targetted for a trans-boundary release of 200,000 fingerlings by Lao and Thai authorities in April this year. In a separate National Fish Day ceremony in Cambodia in July, Prime Minister Hun Sen presided over the release of one million fish and other aquatic animals including prawns, turtles and frogs. Most of the fingerlings released were cyprinid species.
Also in this issue is an update on how community fisheries are evolving in Cambodia and an interview with Yasuhisa Kato, who recently returned to Japan after 11 years with the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center in Bangkok. We also feature a newly-published book with wonderful images of life along the Mekong.
Finally, we recognise the significant contributions to Mekong fisheries by Chris Barlow and Ashley Halls. After eight and half years with the programme, including six years as manager, Dr Barlow has returned to Australia where he has been appointed fisheries manager of the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research. Dr Halls, who joined the programme in early 2007, has returned to Britain where he will continue to work as an MRC consultant while running his consulting company.
Choose a newsletter: