Development of Alternatives to the Use of Freshwater Low Value Fish for Aquaculture in the Lower Mekong Basin of Cambodia and Vietnam: Implications for Livelihoods, Production and Markets

Lead Institution: University of Connecticut

Project Team

Robert Pomeroy, University of Connecticut Sylvain De Guise, University of Connecticut Tessa Getchis, University of Connecticut David Bengtson, University of Rhode Island So Nam, Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Phnom Penh, Cambodia (IFRDI) Prum Somany (IFRDI) Hap Navy (IFRDI) Tran Thi Thanh Hien, College of Aquaculture and Fisheries, Cantho University, Vietnam (CTU) Le Xuan Sinh (CTU)

Development Theme

Enhanced Trade Opportunities for Global Fishery Markets

Introduction

In the Mekong River region, many capture fisheries resources have been largely overexploited and, as a result, development of aquaculture has been encouraged to provide the protein, income, employment and export earnings for some countries. There is increasing demand and trade in the region for low value/trash fish for both aquaculture and animal feeds.

Introduction

Introduction

There is a general concern that the rapid expansion of aquaculture may ultimately be constrained by the dependence on low value/trash fish and fish meal, popularly referred to as the “fish meal trap”. There is also increasing conflict between the use of low value/trash fish for feed and for human consumption.

Goal

The goal of this project is for sustainable freshwater aquaculture development in the Lower Mekong basin region of Cambodia and Vietnam, taking into consideration the balancing of social, economic and environmental/natural resource needs and implications. The main driver of this project is the continued expansion of aquaculture and its dependency on capture fisheries for low value/trash fish for feed.

Investigations

This project will address this issue through five investigations to: analyze supply and demand and support policy development addressing aquaculture/capture fisheries interactions; assessing the abundance and status of low value/trash fish fisheries and develop management; development of alternative feeds and feeding strategies; outreach and feed technology adoption; and trade and value-added product development.

Accomplishments to Date

The project had a late start (contract signed between UConn and OSU in early November 2007) Due to the delayed approval of the project and the PSAs, no significant progress has been made on the project.

Personnel Service Agreements (PSA) were prepared between UConn and the three partner institutions, IFREDI, Cantho U, and URI. The PSA with IFREDI in Cambodia was approved by the Connecticut Attorney General's Office in March 2008. The PSA with Cantho U in Vietnam was approved by the Connecticut Attorney General's Office on 13 May 2008. The PSA with URI was approved by the Connecticut Attorney General's Office in April 2008.

Accomplishments to Date

The Cambodian Team had organized an Orientation and Workplan Preparation Meeting at the IFREDI office on 25-27 February. The attendees were potential researchers for the three investigations that IFREDI will lead. The PI, Robert Pomeroy, made a visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Hanoi, Vietnam in March 2008 to meet with the project partners.

Literature review to support investigations Plans have been made to hold a team meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Cantho, Vietnam during 25-28 May 2008.

Consultations with the local authorities at provincial level for the project activities, pre-survey, site identification.

Student research thesis development (BS and MS)