Joining hands to protect native fish resources

Adapting to floods for sustainable livelihoods

When it comes to the two-crop rice fields in Phu Tho commune (Dong Thap province), residents used to have little to do when the waters rose, so they only cast nets for personal needs. The area, drowned in flood water, was often exploited by professional fishers, and the problem arose when inappropriate and destructive tools were present, such as small-mesh traps or electric shock devices.

In recent years, however, local people have chosen a different approach: fencing off flooded fields to keep fish inside, harvesting only the large ones and releasing the small back to the river, helping regenerate aquatic resources and creating sustainable livelihoods during the flood season.

Instead of building dikes for a third rice crop, many cooperatives have turned to ecological agriculture models such as rice-fish, rice-lotus, or storing fish during the flood season. This nature-friendly method washes away chemical residues, brings fertile silt, and provides safer livelihoods that increase income.

Three years ago, as natural fish stocks declined, the Quyet Tien Ecological Agriculture Cooperative (Phu Tho commune, Dong Thap) decided to let floodwaters into the fields, store fish during the flood season, and integrate eco-tourism. The cooperative piloted a fish-storage area of 18.3 ha. WWF Vietnam supported initial silver carp stocking, provided technical guidance, coordinated patrols, and offered training on aquatic resource protection.

In the first season, farmers harvested 4 - 5 tons of fish, generating VND 120 - 150 million in revenue and a profit of VND 2 - 3 million per hectare. This year, the area expanded to 170 ha, nearly ten times larger. Farmers prepared boats, nets, traps, and cages to receive fish swimming in with the rising floodwaters, while also releasing 300 kg of silver carp seeds to supplement stocks. When water reaches about one meter deep, decomposing rice straw creates abundant feed, ensuring the fish’s strong growth.

Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director of Quyet Tien Cooperative, said, “The model not only increases income during the flood season but also raises awareness about protecting fishery resources. We have posted signs banning illegal fishing, conduct regular patrols, train members on the Fisheries Law, and build temporary cages to hold small fish until prices improve.”

According to Director Tuan, when floodwaters recede around the tenth lunar month and farmers clean fields for the next rice crop, fish harvesting begins. With WWF’s support, the cooperative improved the surrounding canal to serve as a nursery for small fish and a type of “inventory” for fish not yet large enough to wait for better prices.

The Lang Sen Wetland Reserve in Long An (now Tay Ninh) has actively supported the expansion of ecological farming models. From the perspective of Nguyen Cong Toai, Director of the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve, these models have proven economically and environmentally effective.

“Floating-season rice provides stable income and restores ecosystems. The lotus-fish model earns VND 32 - 40 million per hectare, though requiring more time. The fish-storage model, combined with producing OCOP dried fish and fermented fish, helps farmers earn over VND 10 million per hectare. These models align with Resolution 120/NQ-CP on developing the Mekong Delta through “living with nature,” said Director Toai.

Protecting aquatic resources allows for attractive returns

The fish-storage model, combined with flood-season experience tourism, helps raise community awareness about proper fishing gear and regulations. It significantly reduces practices such as small-mesh traps and electric shock fishing, which are considered domestic IUU fishing.

The Director of the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve noted that this nature-based model helps conserve biodiversity, reduce agricultural chemicals, and provide stable livelihoods in the face of climate change. The biggest challenge remains unstable markets, since nature-friendly products need clearly defined market channels.

Vinod Ahuja, FAO Representative in Vietnam, said, “Demand for ecological and sustainable products is rising in Vietnam and globally. But having a market doesn’t mean products will sell. You must invest in value chains, traceability, and promotion. The global ecological agriculture market is worth USD 135 billion, double Vietnam’s 2023 export value of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Digital transformation is necessary to shorten supply chains, connect producers and consumers directly, and expand processing to diversify products, raise value, and enhance competitiveness.”

A common feature of all ecological models is living with nature to protect native fish. Farmers avoid over-exploitation, harvest only when fish reach market size, and release small ones to protect natural spawning grounds. This is a fundamental solution for restoring fishery resources, reducing illegal fishing, and guiding communities toward long-term, lower-risk livelihoods compared to traditional methods.

After applying the flood-season fish-storage model, several long-absent native fish species have reappeared. The fish-storage model is contributing to biodiversity conservation. The fenced-off area has become a safe habitat for fish to reproduce and grow. Regular patrols by members have minimized illegal fishing.