Fish and Community in Flood-prone Areas of the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam

The Mekong River Delta plays an essential role to Vietnam’s economy in terms of both rice and fish production. Annual flooding water and a rich level of aquatic resources strongly affect about 10 million\ud local people, as well as extend beyond the boundaries of wetland itself. Flooding water and wild fish in it\ud are considered common properties while physical and socio-economics conditions in the flooding water areas have changed very much during the last three decades. However, natural freshwater aquatic resources have rapidly depleted due to different reasons. Of which, the most important ones may be the construction of dense irrigation systems, property rights, policy and regulations, as well as livelihoods and perception of the local community. Major related issues are discussed in order to find out alternative solutions for a better use and management of aquatic resources in the freshwater areas of the Delta. Better management of fishing activities is suggested while aquaculture is considered as a major solution to compensate the fish losses as well as the most important solution in the restructure process of agricultural economy in the study area. In addition, an improvement of the linkage among different types of stakeholders is also required