Fish Catch Monitoring & Fish Biodiversity

PNPC recognizes the importance of fish to the local community.  The PNPC is thus conducting a comprehensive Fish Catch Monitoring (FCM) Program downstream of the reservoir and powerhouse.

Under the FCM Program, local fishermen are trained, equipped, and funded to record key parameters from their daily fish catches. These parameters consist of, among others: (i) weight; (ii) time taken; (iii) fishing method; (iv) location; (v) fish species; (vi) percentage of catch for commercial purposes; and (vii) percentage of catch for personal/household consumption.   At least fourteen (14) villages are participating in the FCM Program.

The FCM Program commenced early in the project cycle to establish a pre-operational baseline for fishery activities prior to the impoundment of the reservoirs and Commercial Operating Date. The FCM Program continues into the Operating Phase of the Project. The data is used to assess whether the operations of the Project is having an impact on the downstream and upstream areas and ascertain possible mitigating measures to be undertaken to deter or reduce possible adverse impacts. 

In addition to the FCM Program and to fully comprehend the local fish biodiversity, the PNPC commissioned a number of baseline fish biodiversity surveys on the Bolaven Plateau. These surveys identified various fish and aquatic species in the area, mapped the distribution of each species, collected biological data, and gathered vital information on their spawning and feeding behaviors. The baseline surveys concluded that the fish biodiversity in the area will not be adversely affected by the construction and operations of the Project. The PNPC continues to assess the fish biodiversity through the Operations Phase of the Project.