Mekong River Commission

The Mekong's fisheries are a vital part of the socio-economic structure of the countries of the lower Mekong basin. They provide an essential source of food and income for many of the basin's inhabitants, especially the rural poor. At a macroeconomic level, the fisheries make important contributions to the economies of all the riparian nations.

Today the annual catch exceeds 3 million tonnes with an estimated value of around US$2,000 million. It is clearly an important and precious resource.

The sustainable development of this resource is the Fisheries Programme's main concern.

The achievements of the Fisheries Programme over the past decade have been remarkable. It was instrumental in founding the Technical Advisory Body for Fisheries Management (TAB) and the annual Technical Symposium on Mekong Fisheries, forums that allow senior fisheries mangers and scientists to discuss fisheries issues of regional concern. The Programme has advanced our knowledge of the size and value of the fisheries and has greatly enhanced the capacity of national fisheries agencies to undertake fundamental fisheries research. It has also helped introduce innovative and socially just methods of fisheries management and contributed significantly to the development of improved techniques for the aquaculture of indigenous Mekong fish species.

In January 2006, the Fisheries Programme will embark on a new phase. This will focus on the development of the fisheries sector in the context of the four riparian government's drive towards poverty alleviation and economic growth. By necessity, the achievement of these goals involves extracting maximum benefit from all the bountiful resources the Mekong offers. However, they must be developed in ways that are socially just, economically sound and sustainable in the long-term.

This means that all sectors that have claim on the Mekong's water resources will have to work together to plan appropriate developmental strategies.

In this regard, the next phase of Fisheries Programme will continue to work closely with the MRC's core programmes, the Basin Development Plan, Water Utilisation Programme, Environment Programme and Flood Management and Mitigation Programme. Together they will make a vital contribution to the MRC's overarching strategic plan for 2006-10 as it develops during the coming year.

Finally, I wish to acknowledge the support the national line agencies for fisheries and the National Mekong Committees of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam give to the Fisheries Programme. I wish, once again, to thank the principal donor Danida and the governments of Australia, Great Britain and Sweden, for their invaluable contributions and continued support. I also want to take this opportunity to applaud all the staff who contributed to the Fisheries Programme's accomplishments to date and wish them equal success as it moves forward into a new phase.

Dr Olivier Cogels
Chief Executive Officer
Mekong River Commission