The value of wild fish: diet and livelihoods in two rural villages in the Mun River Basin, northeastern Thailand

Abstract

ABSTRACT Over the last few decades, much has been written about the negative impacts of hydropower dams on wild-capture fisheries in the Mekong River Basin. Furthermore, some studies associated with the water–energy–food nexus have appropriately linked the impacts of hydropower dams to fisheries and human nutrition. Although some research related to food security and nutrition considered changes in human dietary preferences over time, studies about the impacts of hydropower dams on fisheries often implicitly assume that there have been no changes in dietary preferences. Here, we investigate two communities located near tributaries of the Mun River in Ubon Ratchathani Province, northeastern Thailand. We find that while wild-caught aquatic animals remain important, their utilization has shifted due to changes in dietary preferences and other factors. In particular, people often sell wild-caught fish, and use the money to buy other types of animal protein to consume. We suggest that this important issue deserves more attention.