This issue of Catch and Culture is largely devoted to the hundreds of fish species found in the Mekong. Our lead article examines the considerable taxonomic work that has been done since the MRC Fisheries programme published the Mekong Fish Database in 2003.

With many changes to the classification of Mekong fishes and descriptions of at least 15 new inland species over the past six years, an updated count finds that the system has about 1,100 species including about 850 “freshwater” species known to scientists. This estimate includes some undescribed species as well as brackish water and “visitors”from marine or coastal waters.

 

Table of Contents

  1. Editorial
  2. Fishes of the Mekong – how many species are there?
  3. Better cooperation, communications vital to success of next phase
  4. Recent developments in promoting the farming of indigenous species
  5. Why raise native fishes if it’s easier to farm alien species already introduced?
  6. Propagating indigenous fish species is a profitable business in Cambodia
  7. From anarchy to harmony: fisheries in transition as reforms spread
  8. Mekong giant catfish quota limited to eight following two incidental catches
  9. Hun Sen appeals for local support in cracking down on illegal fishing
  10. Growing regional awareness of fisheries highlights need for greater recognition of food security issues
  11. Senior management changes at Cambodian Fisheries Administration
  12. Wonderful images of life on the river
  13. Ecological health still good at most sites monitored in 2006 and 2007
  14. Mekong Fisheries Index

 

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About Catch and Culture

Catch and Culture is published three times a year by the Mekong River Commission Secretariat in Vientiane, Lao PDR, and distributed to over 650 subscribers around the world. Free email subscriptions are available through the MRC website, www.mrcmekong.org.
For information on the cost of hard-copy subscriptions, contact the MRC's Documentation Centre at doc.centre@mrcmekong.org

 

Contributions

Contributions to Catch and Culture may be sent to mrcs@mrcmekong.org
© Mekong River Commission 2009

 

Editorial Panel

Editor: Peter Starr

  • Mr Xaypladeth Choulamany, Fisheries Programme Coordinator
  • Dr Chris Barlow, Fisheries Programme Chief Technical Advisor
  • Dr Suchart Ingthamjitr, Fisheries Programme Officer
  • Ms Pham Mai Phuong, Fisheries Programme Officer
  • Mr Kaviphone Phouthavongs, Fisheries Programme Officer
  • Mr Buoy Roitana, Fisheries Programme Officer
  • Mr Damian Kean, MRC Communications Officer

Design and cover illustration: Phannavanh Anoulack

 

Disclaimer

The opinions and interpretation expressed within are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Mekong River Commission