REPLENISHING OUR LAKES AND RIVERS

       Fish and other aquatic animals make up an important part of our diet. They thrive in all kinds of water - in bodies of fresh water like ponds, lakes, canals and rivers,and, of course, in the salt waters food primarily from sources in their natural habitat, these creatures are, for the most part, clean and safe to eat, and their food value is high. Over the millennia, people have learned to recognise the species that can be eaten, and the repertoire of dishes made from them here in Thailand may be the richest of all.
       The bad news is, today the populations of seafood in the world's waters are declining by the day, depleted by overfishing. However, people have begun to realise that simply catching fish without seeking ways to replenish them, leaving immature fish to grow and reproduce and keeping only suitably large ones for food,will eventually exhaust seafood resources.The situation is deteriorating so quickly that if something is not done soon, it may well be too late to turn the tide.
       It is the duty of those who supervise fishermen, and of the fishermen themselves,to share an understanding of this problem.When one community achieves this goal,its success can serve as a model to others,so that in the future the sea life will replenish itself, the incomes of fishermen will increase, and there will be plenty of seafood for everyone.
       A viable project of this kind was once launched in Kang Krachan, a large reservoir in Phetchaburi. It made use of large, floating baskets, called krachang , that are used to keep fish alive. There were many villages located around the rim of the reservoir,with most households relying on fishing to make a living.
       At one time, the water had been full of fish, but because the local people had fished the reservoir so heavily, using modern equipment, the fish were unable to regenerate themselves and, regardless of size,almost disappeared. Then, a couple of years ago, that programme was initiated. The Department of Fisheries gave many kinds of fish fry to the villagers to raise in floating baskets in front of their homes. The recipients would be responsible for feeding the fish until they matured, then overturn the baskets to release the fish so that they could find their own food thereafter.
       Fish from all of the villages spread through the reservoir, and soon there were the beginnings of a healthy fish population.The fishermen then began catching them for sale, but with nets that had holes of a specified size so that only the large fish were retained. The project was a success.Even though the fishermen's catches were not big, the fish they did bring in were large and fetched good prices.
       One important advantage was that the fishermen spent much less time fishing. It was no longer necessary to chase the fish round the clock. As a result, this project has been imitated in many other reservoirs and lakes.
       There is a similar conservation project that has only recently been implemented,but it is already showing signs of success.It was launched in the Bang Taboon River in Yisan sub-district in Samut Prakan province. The Bang Taboon is a salty river located only six or seven kilometres from Bang Taboon Bay. Many different kinds of fish live there, including snapper, ocean catfish, local pla kulao (a type of haddock),river prawns, and shrimp.
       Some time back, many local people there went broke after digging ponds to raise river prawns. The initial investment was high, and the food and medicines needed to protect the prawns from disease were expensive. Already a risky operation at all times, the financial viability of the venture was aggravated by a decline in the market price of the prawns.
       As a result, the farmers decided to change to a natural system of breeding the prawns.When the tide rose, they allowed seawater to flow into the ponds through pipes. Small fish, crabs and shrimp entered with it, and the farmers allowed these creatures to form a natural environment in which to grow,with some animals feeding on others. The farmers were more interested in shrimp and prawns than in other kinds of creatures.
       A certain amount of maintenance was required. Fish that was of no commercial value had to be removed, and farmers had to monitor the ponds to make sure that there was enough natural food. In addition,a relatively long period of time would have to pass before prawns could be caught and sold.
       The Department of Fisheries then came up with a supplement to the project. The villagers should look for small, unused ponds that could be used as sources of food. Baby river prawns and white shrimp could then be released in them, and fed on dead fish for about two months until they matured and were big enough to fend for themselves in the river. After that, these ponds would be opened up to allow the water to flow into the sea, thus releasing the shrimp at the same time. There was no guarantee that this plan would work, but it turned out to be a success.
       Chuan Khamwong and his wife Preeya are farmers who were using the natural method of raising prawns, and they were the first persons to volunteer a smaller pond for use in this new addition to the project. Mr Chuan explained that he started the activity, in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries, in October of last year. He began by preparing a small pond with vegetable fertiliser and other nutrients,all of which were spread over the mulch at the bottom. Worms soon appeared in the mixture - and they were excellent food for the prawns.
       When the baby shrimp and prawns were released into the pond in October, Mr Chuan checked their sizes regularly. He found that they grew very fast, and were strong and healthy. After two months, he set the young prawns free in the river.Then he raised another batch, which was also released into the river after two months.
       Now local prawn fishermen are catching more prawns, but with the understanding that small ones will be thrown back. After less than a year, their incomes have increased, and have remained steady. Needless to say, the locals are pleased.
       Many other villages are now following their example. Mr Chuan and his wife said that before long the river will be full of prawns and shrimp, but that for now the sizes of the ones that can be caught must be regulated.
       They also said that they have enjoyed other advantages because of the project.When they let the river water flow into their ponds, more prawns, fish and other animals go in with it. The success of the project is an inspiring example of cooperative work that has worked for the benefit of an entire community and laid a stable foundation for their future.
       These are some of the proven ways in which the food we obtain from our seas,lakes and rivers, the quantities of which are being increasingly threatened, can be restored. But to achieve long-term,sustainable success, our never-ending task requires the dedication and cooperation of many people in many places, just like those that have brought such happy results in these villages.