Of Laos’ population of about six million people, about 75-80 percent still live in rural areas; an estimated 32 percent of the people are living below the poverty line 9.
According to the MRC’s report on fisheries in Laos, the total area of water resources for capture fisheries is believed to be more than 1.2 million ha, with more than 481 fish species having been identified, including 22 exotic species 10.
Of the 4,000 tonnes of fish caught every year in Khong district in Southern Laos alone, 70 per cent is consumed locally as fresh or preserved fish and 30 per cent is sold. For about 72,000 inhabitants, the fish consumption traded out of the Khong district is valued at about US$1 million 11. Wild capture fisheries are important to the economy of Lao PDR, and hydropower dams are threatening the survival of the country fishery revenue.