Western people join hands to protect freshwater fish resources

When the flood season comes, farmers in the upstream of Dong Thap gather nets to store fish, only collecting large fish and releasing small fish to regenerate aquatic resources and maintain sustainable livelihoods.

Following the flood season, livelihood escapes poverty

In the two-crop rice fields with flooding periods in Phu Tho commune ( Dong Thap province), in the past, during the flood season, people often did not do anything or just spread nets to catch fish for personal needs. The water area was exploited by professional fishermen, often using inappropriate fishing gear, destroying aquatic resources such as placing nets with small meshes, electric shocks, etc.

However, in recent years, local people have chosen a different approach, using nets to keep fish in flooded fields, only collecting large fish, releasing small fish back into the river, contributing to the regeneration of aquatic resources and creating sustainable livelihoods during the flood season. The model of following nature, livelihood helps to escape poverty in the flooded fields.

Natural-friendly model, livelihood helps escape poverty in flood-season fields. Photo: Minh Sang.

Instead of building dikes to grow the third rice crop, many cooperatives have switched to ecological agriculture : rice - fish, rice - lotus,... or a model of storing fish during the flood season. This natural way of doing things not only helps to wash away residual chemicals on the fields and deposit alluvium, but also creates a safe livelihood, helping to increase income for people.

People in the Mekong Delta use nets to keep fish in flooded fields, only collecting large fish and releasing small fish. Photo: Minh Sang.

Three years ago, when natural fish resources were gradually depleted, Quyet Tien Ecological Agricultural Production Cooperative (Phu Tho commune, Dong Thap) chose to release floodwaters into the fields, store fish during the flood season and combine it with ecotourism . The cooperative began piloting a model of storing fish in 18.3 ha of enclosed cells. WWF Vietnam provided initial support for silver carp breeds, techniques, patrols and training in protecting aquatic resources.

In the first season, people harvested 4 to 5 tons of natural fish, bringing in revenue of 120 - 150 million VND, with a recorded profit of 2-3 million VND/ha. This year, the area was expanded to 170 ha, nearly 10 times larger. People prepared boats, nets, traps, and cages to catch natural fish following the water flow into the fields; at the same time, they released an additional 300 kg of silver carp and silver carp to supplement the resources. When the water level was about 1m, the straw decomposed, creating an abundant food source, and the fish grew strongly.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of Quyet Tien Cooperative, said: “The model not only helps increase income during the flood season but also raises awareness of aquatic product protection. Our cooperative has put up signs prohibiting illegal fishing, patrolled regularly, trained members on the Fisheries Law, and built temporary cages to raise small fish waiting for good prices.”

According to Mr. Tuan, in the 10th lunar month, when the floodwaters recede, farmers clean their fields to sow the new rice crop and then start harvesting fish. The model has created more jobs, increased livelihoods, and increased income for people during the flood season. With support from WWF, the cooperative has renovated the canal surrounding part of the field area to serve as a place to raise small fish, store fish before they reach harvest size, or wait for good prices to maximize profits.

As a unit that is accompanying and supporting farmers in implementing many ecological agricultural models in Long An province (now Tay Ninh), Mr. Nguyen Cong Toai, Director of Lang Sen Wetland Reserve, said that ecological agricultural models have proven to be both economically and environmentally effective.

The floating rice model brings stable income and ecosystem regeneration with the lotus-fish model, bringing profits from 32 to 40 million VND/ha, although the time is longer. The model of storing fish in the flood season combined with drying and OCOP fish sauce brings profits to people of over 10 million VND/ha. These are models that are consistent with the spirit of Resolution 120/NQ-CP of the Government on developing the Mekong Delta in the direction of "following nature".

Protecting aquatic resources for attractive revenue

The model of fish storage combined with tourism exploitation during the flood season is deployed to raise people's awareness in using fishing equipment and protecting aquatic resources in accordance with regulations. The model also significantly limits the situation of small-eye nets, electric shock, and forms considered as domestic IUU fishing (illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing).

Fish storage model combined with tourism exploitation to experience the flood season. Photo: Minh Sang.

The Director of Lang Sen Wetland Reserve also assessed that this natural adaptation model contributes to biodiversity conservation, reduces agricultural chemicals and creates stable livelihoods in the context of climate change. However, the biggest difficulty now is unstable output, so it is necessary to build a market for natural adaptation products.

Mr. Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative in Vietnam, commented: “Demand for ecological and sustainable products is increasing strongly in Vietnam and the world. However, having a market does not mean being able to sell, it is necessary to invest in the value chain, traceability and promotion. In the world, the market for ecological agricultural products reaches 135 billion USD, double the export turnover of Vietnam's agriculture, forestry and fishery products in 2023”.

According to Mr. Ahuja, it is necessary to promote digital transformation, shorten the supply chain, and directly connect producers and consumers. At the same time, it is necessary to promote processing to diversify products, increase value and increase competitiveness.

A common point in ecological models is to follow nature to protect the freshwater fish, farmers do not destroy them, only exploit when the fish reach the right size, release small fish back into the wild, protect the natural reproductive system of freshwater fish. This is a fundamental solution to restore aquatic resources, reduce illegal exploitation and guide people to a long-term livelihood, less risky than traditional fishing.

The fact that people in the upstream of the West are together to release floodwaters, store fish, and regenerate natural resources shows a strong change in production thinking, from exhaustive exploitation to following nature, conservation, and sustainable exploitation. When small fish are returned to the river, aquatic resources are not only restored but also open up a new economic model, helping people stabilize their income, protect the ecosystem, and better adapt to climate change. That is how people in the upstream are preserving the precious "natural assets" of Dong Thap Muoi so that the flood season will always be a prosperous season...

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of Quyet Tien Ecological Agricultural Production Cooperative (Phu Tho commune, Dong Thap). Photo: Minh Sang.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of Quyet Tien Ecological Agricultural Production Cooperative, said: "Since implementing the flood season fish storage model, many previously absent fish species have reappeared. The net-covered area has become a 'safe breeding area', helping to regenerate biodiversity in the fields. Strict patrolling and protection by cooperative members has minimized illegal exploitation."

After implementing the flood season fish storage model, some types of freshwater fish that had not been seen for a long time have reappeared. Moreover, the flood season fish storage model is contributing to protecting the biodiversity of the fields. The net-covered area becomes a 'safe zone' for fish species to breed and develop. Patrolling and protection by members has minimized illegal exploitation.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/nguoi-dan-mien-tay-chung-tay-bao-ve-nguon-loi-ca-dong-d786836.html