The story of 'keeping' fish cool in Nam Cuom

Project to "keep" fish

Nam Cuom stream flows through Dien Lam commune for 20km. Photo: Thanh Phuc

In the early days of 2024, when spring was beginning to appear on the clusters of bright red poinsettias, the peach branches were beginning to bud and the mustard gardens along the alluvial plains had begun to wither, we had the opportunity to visit Dien Lam. Standing on the suspension bridge of Ban Cuom, looking down at the clear blue stream, schools of silver carp, goby fish, and sly fish were swimming around; the silvery tails of the silver carp made everyone feel excited.

Chairman of Dien Lam Commune People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung excitedly said: "It's pleasing to the eyes and stomach. I didn't expect that in just one year, the fish would regenerate so quickly and develop so quickly. It's worth the hard days of propaganda and mobilizing the villagers to protect fish resources; the cadres stayed in the streams and creeks at night to protect the fish."

Fishing prohibition signs are placed in streams according to the project regulations. Photo: Hoai Thu

Going back in time to 2022, the source of cool fish in Nam Cuom as well as other types of fish are in a state of depletion. The cause is due to indiscriminate fishing, overexploitation, using electric shock, hunting guns, and octagonal nets to catch. The muddy streams and schools of fish, big and small, are all caught.

“The fish is delicious, nutritious, and sells for a high price, so people catch it thoroughly. If this situation continues, the fish will certainly be wiped out, affecting the livelihoods of the people as well as the environment and ecology of the village. Therefore, in December 2022, the People's Committee of Dien Lam commune issued a plan to "Conserve and develop Nam Cuom fish resources associated with community ecotourism in Dien Lam commune". Accordingly, the goal is to regenerate aquatic resources, develop local specialty fish associated with community tourism development. From there, create sustainable livelihoods for the people of Dien Lam".

Right on the bridge to Cuom village, the convention to protect Mat fish is printed, enlarged and placed in an easy-to-observe position. Photo: Thanh Phuc

According to regulations, fishing in any form on the Nam Cuom River is absolutely prohibited for 1.5 years. If discovered, they will be punished according to regulations. In addition, the project strictly prohibits the use of toxic chemicals, explosives, electric shocks and other destructive means in fishing activities. Outsiders who come to fish in Dien Lam commune will be expelled from the area.

For households in the commune, aquatic resources belong to the entire population. Any cases of illegal fishing such as using electric shock or explosives will have their equipment confiscated and administrative penalties imposed. In addition, the villages have established aquatic resource protection areas for each specific stream section. All of the above areas are posted with signs to inform the people.

Officials from Quy Chau district and Dien Lam commune discuss with local people about the project to protect cool fish on the Nam Cuom river. Photo: Hoai Thu

Initially, when the project was first implemented, it encountered many mixed reactions from the people in the commune. Because the people lived entirely on the streams and the available sources of shrimp and fish.

However, "slow and steady wins the race", along with propaganda and mobilization are monitoring, inspection, and even strong sanctions in handling violations. Gradually, people have become aware of the need to protect and regenerate aquatic resources in streams and creeks, and they are the ones who benefit, so they voluntarily comply and now also monitor each other.

Regeneration associated with ecotourism development

The cool, clear streams meander around the villages, creating a peaceful and poetic beauty for the land of Dien Lam. The alluvial areas along the streams with lush green vegetable gardens of mustard greens, cabbages, kohlrabi, etc., dotted with white plum blossoms and pink peach blossoms, become charming destinations.

In particular, the dense stream system along with the special cool fish, delicious and nutritious, has created a unique culinary feature for the Thai people here. Therefore, the potential for developing Dien Lam eco-tourism is huge.

With a system of ancient trees and beautiful landscapes, protecting specialty fish species associated with tourism development is a direction that brings many expectations to the people of Dien Lam in economic development. Photo: Hoai Thu

Mr. Lu Van Hue, Secretary of the Party Cell of Cuom village, said: “Recently, when the cool fish were protected and the Nam Cuom stream became clear again, many people from other localities came to Cuom village to visit and experience. Especially on weekends, there are visitors from town and from far away places coming to the village to learn about the local culture, take pictures with the ancient fig tree, the ancient mango tree and enjoy the cuisine of the Thai people in Dien Lam”.

This has suggested the direction of developing livelihoods from ecotourism associated with the development of aquatic resources as proposed by the Dien Lam commune government.

bna-iem-tra-luong-ca-mat-sau-gan-1-nam-cam-bien-bao-ve-8640.jpg — Casting nets and checking resources after 1 year of implementing the fish conservation project in Nam Cuom.

“After 1.5 years of keeping fish according to the project, we will research and select a stream with beautiful terrain, about 500m long, and build some resting huts, deploy some food and beverage services to serve tourists who come to visit and experience.

Hopefully, by 2025, the project's goal will become a reality, the model of conservation and development of aquatic resources of Mat fish in Nam Cuom stream associated with community ecotourism in Dien Lam commune will change the face of this poor commune", Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Chairman of Dien Lam commune People's Committee shared.