VIENTIANE, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Laos has agreed to launch the second phase of a project promoting the management and sustainable use of fisheries and aquatic natural resources in Siphandone, known as "the four thousand islands" in English.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Wednesday in southern Laos' Champassak Province between Bounthong Saphakdy, Deputy Director General of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF), and Somphone Bouasavanh, Country Director of WWF-Laos, in the presence of representatives from Kong and Mounlapamoke Districts, champasak province as well as relevant officials.
"Phase II will work towards increasing and improving the stock of aquatic resources through supporting effective patrolling of the Mekong River, setting up Fish Conservation Zones (FCZ) and Fisheries Management Committees (FMC), raising awareness of Lao fishery legislations, and developing alternative sources of livelihoods including aquaculture," Lao News Agency (KPL) quoted Somphone Bouasavanh as saying on Wednesday.
The project will be implemented in 20 new villages in Kong and Mounlapamoke districts, over 560 km southeast of Lao capital Vientiane by aerial distance. "The Siphandone project helps local people in the Siphandone area better understand fish conservation and fisheries management," said Bounthong Saphakdy.
Phase I of the Siphandone project, which began in 2012, supported the creation or improvement of more than 37 fish conservation zones and 30 fisheries management committees in 30 villages, as well as the diversification and improvement of livelihoods for more than 800 households.
