Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Aquaculture & Fisheries

Local community in the Mekong Delta is said to be “fish eating society” where 70% of their animal protein relies on fish products. The Mekong Delta contributes more than 60% of total aquaculture production and 40% of total wild fish catch of Vietnam. Among a large number of fishing boats, trawlers have developed and dominant in Vietnam fisheries. The small-scale trawlers cover about 70% total number of fishing boats and have been given too much concern in terms of both natural aquatic resources management and other socio-economic problems. This paper describes the small-scale trawling fisheries in the Mekong Delta using surveyed data from 176 small and near-shore trawling fishers Bentre, Soctrang, Baclieu, Camau and Kiengiang provinces, and compares the differences of major indicators between three main fisher groups: (i) Group 1 - Inside and around Camau National Park, 38 fishers; (ii) Group 2- Near, is that, ≤ 30 km from Camau National Park, 40 fishers, and (iii) Group 3 – Far, is that, > 30 km from Camau National Park, 98 fishers. The analysis shows that small scale and near-shore fishing puts more pressure on the natural aquatic resources in the coastal areas of the Mekong Delta while there has been insufficient management on this type of fisheries. Mangroves and Camau National Park regconised by the local fishers via direct benefits obtained from the park. Shrimp and squid are two most important species of near-shore trawling fisheries but less efficient to the fishers who live near the park. Better investment for off-shore fishing and more alternatives of better income occupations are important to protect the natural aquatic resources along the coasts of the Mekong Delta, especially Cmau National Park.

NOP 08-A07 (English)