Fish Fund Model steps forward 

On November 18, 2021 at 08.30 a.m. at Wat Hai Sok, Tambol Soi, Amphoe Social, Nong Khai Province Mr. Chalermchai Suwanrak, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries presided over an online event to set up a fish fund in front of the temple. Department of Fisheries Officer, Deputy Prime Minister of Nong Khai Provincial Administration Provincial Social, Agricultural and Cooperatives Sheriff, representative of the Mekong Community Organizations Network Association of 7 Northeastern Provinces (NCPO), representatives of the network of community organizations in 7 provinces and more than 150 people participated in the event together created a “Fish Fund project in front of the temple” by raising money for pavilion merit, with a donation more than 200,000 baht.

The event held online fish release activities and offered 40 scholarships to Mekong fishermen’ children. A forum titled “Do not leave fish behind” on the issue of “the role of government agencies, the public sector, civil society in the restoration of the Mekong ecosystem” was published on Facebook Live of The Thai PBS News Center in Northeastern Thailand.

Mrs. Omboon Thipsuna, Secretary-General, Mekong Community Organizations Network Association 7 Northeastern Provinces informed that the activity was said to be caused by the river problem. Mekong affected by the construction of the dam in both China and Laos. There is a cross-border impact on the country upstream. The problem has accumulated over a long time. The resolution of the issue at the policy level, which the DPRK has proposed to the government, is in the process of being formally discussed with the National Water Resources Agency (NHTSA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The 2023-77 Fisheries and Agriculture Development Plan to mitigate the impact on people in the Mekong in 8 provinces under the mission of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, one concrete solution to mitigate the impact and establish cooperation under the implementation of the project. “Boon Tarp to Fund Fish House in front of temples” jointly created by various sectors is a government partnership. Communities, civil society in trying to solve problems by setting up a fund to provide fish food, restore the ecosystem by building fish houses, define the forgive zone in front of the temple as seen by the community together. The Department of Fisheries also provides mobile hatchery equipment to Mekong fishermen. The release of 300,000 native fishes into the Mekong River.

Some of the proceeds from the Merit Division will be contributed to the fund for providing fish food for the continuation of the project, which Bishop Patakchai Jaruthammo Abbot Wat Hai Sok said the operation was the beginning of a partnership to solve problems in a new dimension that the government is interested in, all sectors are involved, and the project also aims to drive towards other temple areas. Along the Mekong River, Mr. Amnat Trijak, President of The Mekong Community Organization, Nakhon Phanom Province requests the agency to coordinate mechanism 2 to drive the project together with neighboring countries at the community level and expand the level in the future. According to the plan being implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, Chalermchai Suwanrak mentioned that the preparation of the plan was in a direction with the people.

Although there are quite a lot of limitations in the process of drawing up a whole plan on time. However, it is considered a starting point for government agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to begin addressing the impacts of changes in the Mekong ecosystem in a direction with the people.

The Department of Fisheries is ready to carry out the rescue, which requires the support of various agencies, both public and private, to drive the project together. Deputy Prime Minister of Nong Khai Provincial Administration described the joint operation as a very encouraging activity and Nong Khai Provincial Administration. We are happy to help, support both equipment and budgets, and promote careers through farmer groups. They will discuss it with local governments on the banks of the Mekong River. After the local elections were completed, the plan to support the operation of the area is ready to protect natural resources and heal the impact for the People’s Brotherhood of the Mekong.

Source: Pattrawin Leepan, Nongkhai Online News