Fishing Livelihoods and Diversifications in the Mekong River Basin in the Context of the Pak Mun Dam, Thailand

D’Souza Amabel,Brenda Parlee

doi:10.3390/su12187438

Abstract

Fishing livelihoods are under stress in many regions of the world, including the lower Mekong river basin. Building on research on the socio-economic impacts of hydroelectric development, this paper explores the spatial dimensions of livelihood diversifications. Research in 2016 and 2017, involving 26 semi-structured interviews in nine upstream, downstream, tributary and relocated villages in the vicinity of the Pak Mun hydroelectric dam, provides insight into how villagers have coped and adapted fishing livelihoods over time. Results are consistent with other research that has detailed the adverse effects of hydroelectric development on fishing livelihoods. Interviewees in the nine communities in the Isan region of Thailand experienced declines in the abundance and diversity of fish valued as food, and engaged in other household economic activities to support their families, including rice farming, marketing of fishing assets and other innovations. Stories of youth leaving communities (rural-urban migration) in search of employment and education were also shared. Although exploratory, our work confronts theories that fishing is a livelihood practice of “last resort”. Narratives suggest that both fishing and diversification to other activities have been both necessary and a choice among villagers with the ultimate aim of offsetting the adverse impacts and associated insecurity created by the dam development.

Highlights

Fishing is the backbone of many cultures and economies in both marine and freshwater systems; one of the largest freshwater fishing systems in the world is the lower Mekong River Basin [1]
Inspired by previous research on the socio-economic impacts of hydroelectric development in the lower Mekong [3,4,5,6], this paper explores how the livelihood practices of fishing communities in the Mun River region have changed in the context of the Pak Mun River Dam (PMD)
This paper explores the following question: how does the geographic location of those living in different locations in the vicinity of the dam affect fishing livelihoods and diversification towards other economic practices? Excerpts from interviews with villagers from four geographic areas are offered around three themes: pre-dam fishing, post-dam fishing, and other livelihood practices

Summary

Introduction

Fishing is the backbone of many cultures and economies in both marine and freshwater systems; one of the largest freshwater fishing systems in the world is the lower Mekong River Basin [1]. Inspired by previous research on the socio-economic impacts of hydroelectric development in the lower Mekong [3,4,5,6], this paper explores how the livelihood practices of fishing communities in the Mun River region have changed in the context of the Pak Mun River Dam (PMD). A review of previous research provided a foundation of insight concerning the socio-economic and ecological impacts (Table 1), the experience of which can vary significantly by location (e.g., downstream versus upstream) In this context, this paper explores the following question: how does the geographic location of those living in different locations in the vicinity of the dam affect fishing livelihoods and diversification towards other economic practices? Those households and communities who are located in areas of greater ecological diversity have greater financial capital and other socio-cultural assets (e.g., social capital), and have greater opportunities for diversification

Methods

Results

Conclusion