FISHBIO Activities in the Mekong and the United States:The Importance of Fisheries Monitoring and Research

Discussion Outline

• FISHBIO South East Asia research and monitoring

• What we’ve learned from assessing the impacts of hydropower on fisheries in the United States

• What data do we need?

• How do we address funding challenges?

• What are the Challenges?

Community-based Participatory Research

Capacity Building Market Surveys Consumption

Surveys

Harvest Surveys

Nam Kading Basin Village Animal Protein Consumption

Insects1%

Dry Season1 November 2010 – 30 April 2011

Wet Season1 May 2011 – 30 October 2011

Evaluating Spillover from FCZs to Fishing Catches (FISHBIO/WWF)

World Fish Migration Day and Three Rivers Education Program

MFN - Information Sharing / Collaboration (FISHBIO/USGS)

www.mekongfi shnetwork.org

Why is collaboration important in Mekong?

• Little foundational knowledge

• Number, abundance, and variability of species• Physical / Behavioral variability of species

• Extreme longitudinal and lateral migrations

• Watershed size and habitat variability• Headwaters / Mainstem / Delta

• Social• Funding / Capacity / Communication / Goals and values

Significant challenges - collaboration increases efficiency (improved management for lower cost)

FoodSecurity

Management

Research and Monitoring

Why is research and monitoring important?

How is fisheries management funded in the United States?

Environmental Measures

OperatingCosts

Upkeep and Repair

*Complex system with significant environmental issues. Data obtained for the Wells Project on the mid-Columbia River.

• Government• Federal/State/Local

• Hydro/Irrigation• Regulatory requirements• Proactive / defensive

• Universities

• NGOs

Hydropower Operating CostsFunding Entities

Fisheries Management Challenges

• Harvest

• Hatcheries

• Habitat Degradation

• Hydropower

• Invasive species• Increased demand

on resources• Others

Population Stressors

• Abundance Trends and influences

• Habitat Use and Behavior Varies by life-stage

• Migration Route / Success / Timing

Key Management Questions

Life-Cycle Monitoring to Effectively Manage Fisheries

Add snorkle survey

What have we learned in the United States?

• Proactive planning more effective than reactive

• Collaboration and data sharing improves management

• Standardized sampling techniques valuable for comparisons

• Long-term monitoring data critical

• Fisheries monitoring is ongoing operating cost

• Hydropower not the only stressor but industry benefits from effectively managing fisheries

What would benefit fisheries management in the Mekong?

• Understanding of species and life-history requirements

• Species / basin prioritization plan

• Data and information sharing / collaboration

• Increased local capacity

• Long-term monitoring plan and funding

Thank You

Mekong River System Science and Data WorkshopScience for a Sustainable Mekong River System

September 16-18, 2014University of Science – Ho Chi Minh City

Doug Demko J.D.Fish Biologist / President

dougdemko@fishbio.com www.FISHBIO.com