Dams on the Mekong River threaten large fish

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warned that the population of the Mekong River's iconic tra fish, along with a number of other large species of fish, would be pushed to the brink of extinction if it plans to build hydropower plants on the river. Mekong passed.

A Mekong Tra fish was caught.Photo: nature.org.vn.

In the report, The River of Giants: Giant Mekong Fish, WWF describes in detail four types of giant fish that live in the Mekong region, as well as four of the ten largest freshwater fish species on the Mekong. world. For example, with a length of half a bus and weighing up to 600 kg, the Mekong river stingray is the largest freshwater fish in the world. Meanwhile, Pangasius - an animal that has come into legend and is now in serious danger - ranks third in the world with a length of up to 3 meters and weighs 350 kg.

'A fish of the size of Mekong river catfish (Mekong Giant Catfish) will not be able to swim through barriers as big as a dam to reach the upstream breeding area. This will lead to a sharp decline in the natural quantity of this symbolic fish, " said Roger Mollot, freshwater biologist at WWF Laos.

Studies show that in the rainy season, Mekong River catfish migrate along the floodwaters from western Cambodia's Tonle Sap to the Mekong River to breed in northern Thailand and Laos.

The hydroelectric project planned to be built on the Mekong River in Sayabouly province, north of Laos, is a threat to the survival of the wild catfish species of the Mekong River. Sayabouly Dam is the first mainstream hydropower dam in the lower Mekong River that is subject to the impact assessment process before the member states of the Mekong River Commission make recommendations on whether to adopt it. dam construction or not.

"The Mekong River has more giant fish species than any other river on earth. Currently, the lower Mekong is still a free flow and this is a rare opportunity for species conservation. However, we do not have much time, "said Dang Thuy Trang, Mekong Region Ecosystem Coordinator, WWF Greater Mekong Program.

However, the main flow dams of the lower Mekong not only affect large river fish species, but also increase the effects of climate change on the Mekong Delta (river name). Mekong in Vietnam), one of the largest areas of aquatic and agricultural productivity in the world.

The construction of the Sayabouly dam will reduce the amount of sediment coming into the Mekong Delta, making it more vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as sea level rise.