Monitoring and evaluation Co-management in Nam Oon Dam

Date: 14-18 November 2016

Venue: Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

Objectives:

1. To monitor catch data from logbook recording by fishers themselves,

2. To monitor fisheries management measures during close season of Nam Oon Reservoir,

3. To monitor fish processing product in the community operated by women’s group,

4. To monitor on the fish species at the landing site.

Result

SEAFDEC team, DOF staff and Fisheries Patrol unit of Nam Oon Dam had a discussion at Nam Oon Dam Fishery Management Unit about the objectives of this trip. The trip would visit two landing site at Ban Dong Kham Pho and Ban Kud Takap in early morning with the aim to observe the fish catch composition from the fishing operation in Nam Oon Dam.

We found two fishers who use gill net fishing gear. They set the gill net in the evening and harvested in the morning. Most of catch was Tilapia. They sell their catch to the villager at house by themselves and sometimes sell to middlemen when their catch is high volume. Moreover, we have discussed with the middlemen at Ban Dong Kham Pho about fish product. The middlemen explained that they bought fish product from the aquaculture in Banglen, Nakorn Prathom Province to serve as raw material for making fish processing product due to the fish product from Nam Oon Dam is insufficiency for consumption in the community. Moreover, SEAFDEC visited landing site at Ban Kud Takap community and met a fisher who coming back from fishing by using longline fishing gear. The fish catch fish species was Clown featherback and sold in the village.

Furthermore, the trip would visit fish processing group in order to share knowledge on group management and marketing for fish processing product. The Fish Processing Group was established at Ban Donh Kham Pho consisted of 30 members. The fish species mostly are Clown featherback and lipped barb, which was bought from 5 fishers in the community about 150-200 kg/day. The fish collected divide into 2 parts: 50% sell to the middlemen and the rest 50% for fish processing product. The main fish processing product are fish fermented cover by banana leave and Dry smoky fish. The members who are involved in fish processing activity gain the income with higher rate than minimum wage and get the dividend. The marketing channel was operated through Internet Social Network system (facebook and line) and main product is fermented fish which sold nearby Khonkaen Province and Bangkok. Dry smoky fish product is distributed in the village and neighbor village. This group has a fund that can provided loan for members.

In addition, the sign buoy that provided by SEAFDEC for clarifying the conservation area between Ban Dong Kam Pho and Ban Nachuak communities was good response from the community. Moreover, SEAFDEC also plan to install the sign buoy to indicate the conservation zone at Ban Thai Chareon community. The survey on the conservation area and position for installation of sign buoy was conducted by using patrol boat and Drone. The positions for sign buoy installing was confirmed by Head of village of Ban Thai Chareon. The sign buoy can be a symbol to indicate the conservation area for the outsider who come to fishing in the conservation area. 

Moreover, the local meeting organized in 3 points. The meeting would present the result of catching data from fishing logbook recorded by fishers during 1 March - 5 April (before close season) and comparison catch between year 2015 and 2016. Moreover, the meeting discussed with the communities on the fisheries management measure that is implemented in the Nam Oon Dam after close season including the problems on fisheries. The result from the local meeting was showed below:

point 1 at Ban Na Than which composed of Ban Na lao, Ban Huay Bun, Ban Nong Phua and Ban Na Than. The fishers attended the meeting were 19 fishers. The result of point 1 showed that the average catch/trip of fisher in 2015 is 7.6 kg and 5.1 kg in 2016. The meeting suggested to provide the incentive to fishermen who have recorded the fishing logbook. SEAFDEC will prepare T-shirt to give the fishermen volunteer who fill out the catch logbook.

Point 3 at Ban Thai Chareon which composed of Ban Kud Takap, Ban Nong Pling, Ban Na Kham and Ban Thai Chareon. The fishers attended the meeting were 19 fishers. The result of point 3 showed that the average catch/trip of fisher is 5.2 and 5.9 kg in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The fishers expressed their opinion that the mesh size of gill net should not smaller than 3 cm.

Point 4 at Ban Dong Kham Pho which composed of Ban Na Chuak, Ban Dong Kham Pho, Ban Nong Bua and Ban Khong Pakuay. The fishers attended the meeting were 21 fishers. The result of point 4 showed that the average catch/trip is 10.1 and 7.9 kg in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The point 4 can catch fish more than other point because they are full time fishers. The fishers shared the information that Clown featherback was difficult to find in this year due to the climate change. The dry season is longer led to low water level and this species stay in deep water level.

In addition, SEAFDEC visited the Hatchery pond, the one activity of Nam Oon Patrol Unit. The fingerling would be produced and hatchery before release into Nam Oon reservoir in each community. This hatchery pond has the fingerling of Mekong giant catfish, Java Barb and Freshwater prawn. 

Discussion on the future work

SEAFDEC will prepare the sign buoys to install in Nam Oon reservoir for indicating the conservation area at Ban Thai Chareon Community. The estimate period for installation is in February 2017.

The boat registration and fishing gear licensing are necessary for the fishers. It need to encourage the fishers and support them for fishing legally. It might be can protected from illegal fishing outsiders.

Nam Oon Dam Fisheries Patrol Unit should inform the fishers around Nam Oon Dam on the importance of boat registration and fishing gear licensing including the registration fee. Therefore, the local meeting on the process of registration will be organized in the community around Nam Oon Dam for more understanding and participation of fishers.

In order to do the boat registration and fishing gear licensing, the mobile unit system from the government officers, who take responsibility on these, should come to the community for easily registration.

Report trip to Monitor and Evaluate Co-management in Nam Oon Dam

Date: 15-19 May 2016

Venue: Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

Objectives

1. To install the buoy for conservation zone.

2. To survey fish species by using long line fishing gear.

3. To attend the traditional ceremony on destined fish with the local community.

4. To produce the video documentation on Co-management activities in the local community.

Results

1. Discussion on work plan with DOF officer

SEAFDEC team and DOF staff of Fisheries Management unit of Nam Oon Dam were meeting at Nam Oon Dam Fishery Management Unit. We discuss on the work plan that would be conducted within 3 days.

The first activity was install the buoy which provide by SEAFDEC/TD to demarcated conservation zone (area 643 Rai) which located between 2 communities: Ban Dong Kam Pho and Ban Nachuak for dividing the responsibility of 2 communities in order to conserve the area. The position of sign buoy was discussed and defined follow the official document that was announced the conservation area by local organization with agreement from communities. SEAFDEC/TD prepared 15 sign buoys which was made of the container size 100 liters putting cement inside cover with white color (easy for observe in the night time). The buoy was fixed in the water by using cement block size 40x30x25 cm. and approximate weight around 50 kg. The conservation zone was indicated by 7 buoys in each side and one buoy was installed to separate responsibility area of two communities

The second activity was conduct the trial Long line fishing gear for fish species in difference water depth with two type of long line: vertical and horizontal. Three types of bait were used, namely, tilapia fingerling, tadpole and earthworm which would prepared by Nam Oon Fisheries Management Unit. the long lines were set in the fishing ground which suggested by fishers and  would be harvested on the next day early morning. The total catch was three Bagrid catfish.

The third activity was organize the local meeting at Ban Thai Chareon to present the fishing ground mapping and fish calendar. The data on fish species and fishing ground were collected from fishing logbook which recorded by fisher themselves. Ms. Jariya Sornkliang presented on the fish species and fishing ground from the logbook recorded by fisher volunteers. She also asked the fishers to clarify the local name of fish species.

The forth activity was attend the traditional ceremony of destined fish and fish releasing at Ban Thai Chareon village. The traditional ceremony on fish destined is taking a merit to the fisheries resources because the local people believe that they utilize fisheries resources for living whole year and they would like to build awareness on fisheries resource conservation. This ceremony was organized by the villagers themselves of Ban Thai Chareon and Ban Huay Lek Fai community with financial supported from local organization. In addition, the head of Nikom Nam Oon District kindly gave the opening remark. Then, 500,000 Silver barb and 70 Mekong giant catfish were released. These fish released were supported by Department of Fisheries. SEAFDEC media team took a short video during the meeting, and also make a stock shot on Co-management activity/ traditional ceremony of destined fish for SEAFDEC’s VDO production.

In addition, SEAFDEC/TD produced three permanent sign boards and 20 Vinyls for announcement of fisheries management measure, and gave to Nam Oon Fisheries Management Unit for setting at the fishing communities. SEAFDEC also provided Polo shirts to the fisher volunteers who record fish catch data in the fishing logbook.

Report on monitoring and evaluation co-management project at Nam Oon Dam management

Date: 24-27 February 2016

Venue: Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

Objectives

1. Present the results of satisfaction on Co-management project at Nam Oon Dam; and

2. Monitoring and evaluation on number of illegal fishing, after establish close season measurement; and

3. Monitoring fish catch by logbook with fishermen and middleman; and

4. Monitoring on conservation and prohibit area in Nam Oon Dam, which under proclamation process by Head of Provincial; and

5. Follow up all co-management activities by fisheries communities

Result

Meeting at Nam Oon Dam Fishery Management Unit

SEAFDEC/TD, DOF from Head Quarter and Local Fisheries Officers of Nam Oon Dam Unit organized the meeting at Nam Oon Dam Fishery Management Unit on the plan of this trip. The meeting discussed on the work plan that conducted in the 4 points with 16 communities. At the meeting, SEAFDEC would present on the result of attitude and satisfaction on co-management measure of close season including the fish catch logbook that were collected from last trip in Nam Oon Dam. Moreover, DOF would present the fishers on new Thai fishery laws as well as the progress and way forward of Nam Oon Dam. In addition, DOF would also release Giant tiger prawn and Mekong giant catfish at Baan Thai Charean and Baan Na than respectively.

Meeting and Discussion with Fisheries Community

The meeting was organized at 4 points along the Nam Oon Dam. In each point, the meeting started by introducing the DOF and SEAFDEC staff. Then, Mr. Surachai Sermsuk, Head of Nam Oon Fisheries Management Unit mentioned about the progress of the Nam Oon Dam project since started 2014 cooperated with fishers to establish the community's rule. After that, SEAFDEC staff presented on the result of attitude and satisfaction on co-management measure of close season including the fish catch logbook that were collected from last trip.

The result from the satisfaction questionnaire show that 89% of the respondents agree that the fish product is increasing and 76% agree that fish has bigger size. The respondents (96%) satisfied to move the period for prohibited the fishing ground from 16 May-15 September to be 16 April-15 August. 97% of the respondents satisfied on the conservation areas and close season for spawning ground. The respondents more than 90% also satisfied on the fishing gears measure that prohibited during the close season and allow some fishing gears for every 10, 20, and 30 in each month. Furthermore, the income of the respondents (91%) increasing after announced the community's rule. The respondents satisfied the implementation by DOF in order to promote and announce the new measurement at Nam Oon Dam including to control the illegal fishing by patrolling. In addition, the respondents suggested that DOF should release fish and establish more conservation area including clearing on the conservation boundary in Nam Oon Dam.

For the catch volume, SEAFDEC and DOF made the catch logbook and distributed to volunteer fishers to record their catch fish in every fishing day. The first period was before close season (1 March-15 April 2016) that had been collected, analyzed and inform to the fishers. The second period was after close season (16 August-14 November 2016), 32 volunteer fishers recorded their fish catch into logbook. In this trip, SEAFDEC presented the fishers on the result of second period. The result show that main fishing gears of point No. 1, 2 and 4 are gillnet and longline while point No.3 are gillnet and trap. Total catch of four points is 9,546.8 kg which the highest volume is point No. 1 (2,635.5 kg) but the total catch per trip is point No. 3 (8.7 kg/trip). 

Table 1 The catch volume of each point

Point No.	Villages	No. of volunteer fishers	Total catch	No. trip (3 months)	Total catch (kg/trip)
1	Baan Na than, Baan Hui bun, Baan Na Lao, and Baan Nong Phue	8	2,635.5	312	8.4
2	Baan Kok Manow, Baan Nong Phaktiam, Baan Klang, and Baan Kok Sung	8	2,567.0	333	7.7
3	Baan Thai Charean, Baan Na Kham, Baan Nong Pling, and Baan Kud Takap	8	2,441.5	282	8.7
4	Baan Dong Kum Pho, Baan Na Chuak, Baan Nong Bua, and Baan Klouy Pakuay	8	1,902.8	226	8.4
Total		32	9,546.8	288	8.3

The result can show the main species in each point. At point No. 1, the main species are Mud crap and Silver barb. While point No. 2, the main species are Mud crap and Spotted featherback. The main species at point No. 3 are Nile tilapia and Silver barb. The main species at point No. 4 are Silver barb and Indian river barb. For fish utilization, most of the respondents sell fish by themselves and sell to middlemen. They also keep some fish production for their consumption by processing (such as dry fish, fermented fish). In addition, after presented the result of the survey, DOF kindly presented on the new Thai Fishery law including the punishments for illegal fishing. 

Furthermore, there were fish and shrimp releasing in two communities. DOF released Giant tiger prawn at Baan Thai Charean and Mekong giant catfish at Baan Na than. This activity can encourage local fishers to participate and increase their awareness on the importance of resources.

Monitoring at Nam Oon Dam, Sakon Nakhon Province

Date: 22-26 February 2015

Venue: Sakon Nakhon Province

Objectives

1. Monitoring fish catch at before and after close season (16 April - 15 August) by logbook with 16 middleman and 96 fishermen around Nam Oon Dam

2. Preparation of community rule signboard, which contain the close season period, prohibited fishing gear and conservation zone.

Result

SEAFDEC/TD, DOF from Head Quarter and Local Fisheries Officers of Nam Oon Dam organized the meeting and discussion on regulation of closed season for 16 villages around Nam Oon Dam. The meeting organized at four points, one point composed of four villages. The first point composed of Baan Klog Pha Kaew, Baan Don Kam Pho, Baan Na Chuak, and Baan Nong Bua. The second point composed of Baan Na Tan, Baan Na Rao, Baan Hoy Buun, and Baan Nong Phue. The third point composed of Baan Kud Ta Kab, Baan Thai Charoen, Baan Na Kam and Baan Nong Ping. The fourth point composed of Baan Kok Manow, Baan Nong Yah Thium, Baan Klang and Baan Kok Suuk.

There were two main objectives of the meeting; 1) To explain measurement of closed season by using signboard, which would be setup at every village, 2) To select 4-6 volunteer fishermen of each community for catch data recording in logbook, and also select one middleman per one area to record the data. The signboard have four main information (Fig. 1); 1) Map of Nam Oon Dam with location of 16 villages, 2) Name and picture of prohibited fishing gear in whole year, 3) Name and picture of fishing gear which allow for fishing at closed season (16 April-15August), and 4) Name and picture of fishing gear which allow for fishing before and after closed season. For the logbook, it composed of 45 pages, one page composed of type of fishing gear, date, total catch, species and map of Nam Oon Dam (for recording the fishing area). This logbook would be starting record from 1 March to 15 April.

During the meeting, SEAFDEC’s staff also explained the importance of catch data recording, which is necessary for fisheries management plan of Nam Oon Dam. After fished the meeting with 16 villages, there were 64volunteers of fishermen and 4 middlemen for catch data recording. 

Local workshop in Nam Oon Dam, Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

Date: 25-26 November 2014

Venue: Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

Objectives:

1. Fisheries officers understand the situation of Nam Oon Dam, on problem and needed from fisheries community.

2. Fisheries community understand the resources situation, and how to manage to be sustainable.

3. Fisheries community and fisheries officers aware the important of co-management, community-based resources management and right-based management.

4. Fisheries community of Nam Oon Dam has committee to be network on fisheries management.

Results

The workshop were divided into two sessions, lecture and group discussion. The lecture was presented by resource persons from Department of Fisheries and SEAFDEC. The lectures were about 1) "Inland Fisheries Management and Law and measurement setting for Fisheries" to enhance knowledge of the participants and 2) "Co-management in ASEN Countries, Participatory Activities of Fisheries Management" to transfer the experiences of fisheries co-management in Southeast Asian and activities for co-management. Moreover, SEAFDEC presented the results of the base line survey at Num Oon that were collected during 2-9 July 2014. The results of survey showed 1) the demographic information and fisheries character, 2) fisheries problems and resolution, 3) fishers perception on fisheries co-management and fish distribution.

In addition, there were three topics for the group discussion session:

1. Fishing gear and fishing activities, which composed of two sub-topics: 1) Types of allow  fishing gear and 2) Prohibited fishing gear.

2. Spatial/Fishing ground composed of four sub-topics: 1) Conservation and sanctuary area under law and regulation, 2) Close season, 3) Protected area, and 4) Fishing ground allow by gear/fishing activities.

3. New close season setting through community rule, which composed of three sub-topics: 1) Close season only some area, 2) Close season in some fishing habitat, and 3) Close season during dry season.  

After finish group discussion, each group presented the result to all participants. For the first group (fishing gear and fishing activities), the participants suggested that DOF's officers should cooperate with villagers to monitor and promote juvenile conservation area. Moreover, it should stop shooting and diving fisheries. For the second group (spatial/fishing ground), it should make clear on the boundary of conservation zone as well as it should increase more conservation zone and fish house. It should establish community committee and set the community rules. Furthermore, it should collect entry fee from outsider fishers. For the third group (new close season setting through community rule), duration of close season should be changed based on research study as well as increase conservation zone and set fishing zone during close season.

After present results of group discussion, the workshop was end by inspector of Department of Fisheries, Ms. Sirirak Suvanrangsri. She express her appreciated on this workshop that it was very useful for co-management and community based management in Nam Oon Dam. Besides, she hope that this program can be a good model to other inland fisheries management in Thailand .

Mobile On-site Training (MOT) on Facilitating Fisheries Information Gathering Through Introduction of Community Based Fisheries Management

Date: 1-10 July 2014

Venue: Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

Development Objectives:

1. Provincial/Local Fisheries Officers will have opportunities on the job training in establishing fisheries management approach in inland fisheries, including community fisheries is practiced widely which is an implication of how to operating fisheries management plan by themselves.

2. Through implementation of this project, useful knowledge and lessons on the promotion of Inland Fisheries community-based resources management will be obtained, which will be applicable to other ASEAN member countries.

Immediate Objectives:

1. Fisheries officers understand the situation of Nam Oon Dam, on problem and needed from fisheries community; and

2. Fisheries community understand their resources situation, and how to make management measures to be sustainable; and

3. Fisheries community and fisheries officers aware the important of co-management, community based resources management and right-based management; and

4. Fisheries community of Nam Oon Dam has committee as a network for autonomous fisheries management.

Results

6 SEAFDEC’s staffs and 6 DOF’s staffs from head quarter and Management unit of Nam Oon Dam were meeting at Nam Oon Dam, the Department of Irrigation. Mr. Boonsong Phanchaiphum, Head of Management unit of Nam Oon Dam, presented on the objectives of project, the result of local workshop, work plan of three year (2013-2015), and explain more on the objective of this trip. The project is namely “Strengthen the participation on integrated fisheries management at Nam Oon Dam”. The objectives were 1) to manage fisheries resources in the Nam Oon Dam by co-management approach, and 2) to be pilot site on co-management approach of local communities and agency concern in the Nam Oon Dam. For base line survey, there are 22 main communities in 8 Sub-Districts, which near Nam Oon Dam. The total of fishers who registered with Management unit (DOF) are 384 fishers. The survey was designed to interview 30-40% of fishers (full-time and part-time fishermen) around Nam Oon Dam. In addition, we plan to have a meeting with 8 communities for fisheries management in the evening. There were three main issues for the meeting, 1) agreement on problem and solution with each community, 2) representative selection of each community, and 3) others problem from each community.

Base line Survey around Nam Oon Dam

Base line survey was conducted by interviewing the fishers in 22 communities around Nam Oon Dam, which located within 5 District covering 8 Sub-district namely: Rae, Nanai, Nongbua, Nongpling, Nikomnam-oon, Kudhai, Warichaphum and Plahlo. The questionnaire compose of four parts: 1) General information, 2) Fisheries sector, 3) Problems and solution on fisheries, and 4) Opinion on fisheries co-management. Most fishers engage in fishery and agriculture. They operate paddy field, rubber tree and cassava. The main purposes of fishery are source of income and consuming. Furthermore, the main fishing gear is gill net and fish trap. The total number of fishers interviewed is 139 fishers. In addition, there are 5 middlemen from Dong Kham pho, Huay Bun and Ban Klang community were interviewed to clarify on fish distribution in Nam Oon Dam area. The result of base line survey will be shown general information of fishermen, situation of fisheries resources, the fish market system, and the problems.

Meeting in the Communities in Nam Oon Dam area

The meeting was organized in each 8 communities and aimed to build awareness on the importance of co-management, make understand on the conservation area in Nam Oon Dam and select the fisheries community representatives to be the Inland Fisheries Management Committee in Nam Oon Dam for establishment a network on Fisheries Management.

Firstly, the meeting started with presentation of fisheries officers on the problems which was found in Nam Oon Dam as well as the ways to solve the problems that consist of 1) To collect fishing fee from fishers outside community whenever they would do fishing in the community, 2) To establish conservation area for fish habitat, 3) patrolling the illegal fishing especially Bug Lift net fishing. After that, the representatives from 8 communities namely: Thai Charoen, Dong Kham pho, Kud ta-kap, Na Chouk, Nong Pauu, Khok Sung, Ban Klang and Nong Pling were selected, totally there are 18 representatives.

In addition, DOF will organize the meeting to select the representatives from another 14 communities. After completed of selecting representative from 22 communities around Nam Oon Dam, DOF and SEAFDEC will invite all of representatives to have a meeting and discussion on work plan and regulations for fisheries management in Nam Oon Dam. This activity plan to held in November 2014 at Nam Oon Dam.