| Thai Fishermen Break Ranks, Vow to Resume Hunt of Endangered Mekong Catfish; 'We Need to Make A Living' | |
| By Theerawat Khamthita |
Source: underwatertimes |
3/4/2006 |
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Two fishermen who joined in a landmark promise to help preserve the endangered giant catfish in the Mekong river and not catch them any more have returned to the hunt. ''We need to make a living,'' said Ban Hat Krai fisherman Pisit Wanatam, 40, in Chiang Khong district.
Mr Pisit and his friend resumed hunting the giant catfish, orpla buek, early this week. |
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Last month, a group of 68 local fishermen made a promise to then-senator Thaunjai Deetes, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Wildlife Fund Thailand (WFT) to stop catching giant catfish.
The fishermen put their seine nets, worth about 20,000 baht each, on sale to symbolise the end of pla buek hunting, which has provided a staple livelihood for Mekong villagers for decades. |
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