Fishing in Siphandone was traditionally for
subsistence only. Elderly fishermen in Ban Hat village
say fish were abundant and easy to catch 30 years
ago. Since everybody caught enough for their
families, fish had low monetary value and were not
found in markets. People who did not have time to go
fishing themselves could ask a neighbour for a fish.
This was part of Lao traditional custom – sharing not
only fish but also labour for agricultural work. Fishing
was the main activity for adults. Normally, the
husbands or other head of household would fish while
the wives and children took part in the processing.