Making a living upstream of the Mekong Delta floods

October 22, 2024 | 2:21 PM

TPO - At this time, along the border at the headwaters of the Tien and Hau rivers in An Giang province , the flood season is underway, with water levels higher than in previous years. Water is inundating the fields, covering everything. This is also the time when people are busy earning a living from the bounty of fish, shrimp, and various vegetables and herbs provided by nature. However, aquatic resources are increasingly scarce and no longer as abundant as before.

People make a living during the flood season in An Giang.

According to observations by Tien Phong newspaper reporters , along the nearly 100km border with Cambodia in An Giang province, the fields are currently flooded. Photo: Hoa Hoi

Locals take advantage of the flood season to set up fishing lines and nets, and catch fish and shrimp, creating an additional source of daily income.

Locals say that the water level is higher this year than last year, but the amount of fish and shrimp is decreasing. Photo: Hoa Hoi

These are the types of wild fish caught after each trawling session.

Mr. Le Van Chon (from Vinh Te ward, Chau Doc city, An Giang province) went to check on his more than 200-meter-long fishing net. He said: "In previous years, I caught nearly a hundred kilograms of various types of fish each day, but this year's flood season has much fewer fish, only a little over ten kilograms a day. There's a lot of water now, but few fish. Hopefully, when the water recedes in a few days, there will be more." Photo: Hoa Hoi

People go to the flooded fields to cast nets and catch wild fish.

Mr. Le Van Thao (from Phu Tan district, An Giang province) has been involved in this profession for nearly 20 years.

After casting his nets, Mr. Thao ran back to his resting place to wait for the fish to get caught. Photo: Hoa Hoi

Locals cast nets to catch fish along the Vinh Te canal in Chau Doc City, An Giang Province. Photo: Hoa Hoi.

Across the fields along the An Giang border, the water level reached 2-3 meters. Photo: Hoa Hoi

Hoa Hoi

Source: https://tienphong.vn/muu-sinh-dau-nguon-lu-dong-bang-song-cuu-long-post1684519.tpo