LARReC Research Report No.0013 ISSN 1608-5604

Fish marketing study in Attapeu province

June 2006

Fish marketing study in Attapeu province

Prepared for

Living Aquatic Resources Research Center, National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR

By

Aloun Phonvisay (LARReC)

Published by the Data & Information Unit Living Aquatic Resources Research Center

PO Box 9108, Vientiane, Lao PDR E-mail: larrecinfo@laopdr.com

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Abstract An interest in the marketing of fish in the Lao PDR has been raised over the past six years. This is because the increased mobilisation of fish traders as a result of the development of transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges. It is suggested that once relatively localised fishery resources are now increasingly accessible to national and international markets. Such higher value of fish in these markets has provided greater motivation for traders to access these trading opportunities. The objective of this study is to provide a general view of fish marketing system in Attapeu province. This study was implemented in May 2006 with collaboration between Living Aquatic Resources Research Center (LARRec) and Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme (MWBP). This study provides identification of a trading network of fish from the fisheries resource bases to the final market. Species, price and trading relationships among fishers and traders were included in this study.

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Acknowledgements I would like to thank numerous people in assisting in this survey. First of all I would like to thank Mr. Douangkham Singhanouvong (National Director Component of MWBP) and Mr. Lieng Khamsivilay (Director of LARReC) and Mr. Khamphet Roger (Deputy Director of LARReC) for allowing me to carry out this survey with the MWBP project. Thank also goes to Mr. Kaviphone Phutthavong (Head of Data and Information Unit of LARReC) for commenting and editing my report. Special thanks must go to the team survey comprising of Miss. Sarinda Signh (Traffic-Southeast Asia consultant), Mr. Inphanh and Mr. Bandit (PAFO and DAFO officers of Attapeu), Mr. Phone and Mr. Noy (Sailors). Thanks must also go to staff from the MWBP staff in Attapeu for their help. Finally the author would like to thank all the traders and fishers of Attapeu who willingly gave up their time, and wealth of knowledge, so that I could try to represent the importance of their trade.

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Table of Contents

Abstract_____________________________________________________________2

Acknowledgements ___________________________________________________3

List of Figures________________________________________________________5

List of Tables ________________________________________________________5

List of Abbreviations __________________________________________________5

Introduction__________________________________________________________7

Methodology_________________________________________________________7

Attapeu Province______________________________________________________8

Structure of trade _____________________________________________________8

Types of fish traders __________________________________________________10

Trading network of fish traders in Attapeu province _________________________11

Species and prices____________________________________________________12

Seasonality _________________________________________________________14

Economic factors influencing fish trading activities _________________________14

Some effects of fish trade on abundance of fish_____________________________15

Conclusion and recommendation ________________________________________16

Reference __________________________________________________________18

Appendices _________________________________________________________19

Photoes ____________________________________________________________27

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List of Figures Figure 1: Location of fish trade in Attapeu province Figure 2: Trading network of fish traders in Attapeu province

List of Tables Table 1. Distance among the main locations Table 2. Species with high market preference in Attapeu province Table 3. Trader’s fish marketing inventory

List of Boxes Box 1: A fisher trader processing fish at Xe Kong river Box 2. Sale of Pa Kheung (Hemibagrus wyckioides) at a fishing camp in Xe Kong river Box 3. A large gill net confiscated by a local police

List of Abbreviations DAFO - District Agriculture and Forestry Office LARReC – Living Aquatic Resources Research Center MWBP - Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme PAFO - Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office

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Map of Lao PDR

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I. Introduction The objective of this study is to provide a general view of fish marketing system in Attapeu province. This study was implemented in May 2006 with collaboration between Living Aquatic Resources Research Center (LARRec) and Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme (MWBP). An interest in the marketing of fish in the Lao PDR has been raised over the past six years. This is because the increased mobilization of fish traders as a result of the development of transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges. It is suggested that once relatively localised fishery resources are now increasingly accessible to national and international markets. Such higher value of fish in these markets has provided greater motivation for traders to access these trading opportunities. LARReC have been a central research center implementing fish marketing studies since 2000 in Vientiane municipality, Champasack province, Luang Prabang province and Oudomxay province (see Phonvisay (2001, 2001a, 2002, 2003, 2003a)). There has not been a comprehensive study on fish marketing in Attapue province. One study made by Nash (1997) mentioned partly about trade of fish in Attapeu province. The recent study was made in 2005 focusing on wildlife trade by IUCN (2005) The central aim of this study is to identify a trading network of fish from the fisheries resource bases to the final market. Species, price and trading relationships among fishers and traders were included in this study. II. Methodology The methodology of this study is similar to the previous marketing studies by LARReC. The first assignment of the study was to determine the main market nodes in the main city of Attapeu province. Initial information was provided by Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO) and District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO) officers. As locations were identified, they were visited and interviews were conducted. Secondary information was from the study of wildlife trade by IUCN (2005). A flexible mixture of structured, semi-structured and informal approaches was adopted drawing on the initial survey instrument but also incorporating subsequent feedback. One day prior to fieldwork was spent going through the methodology with each of the teams in Attapeu. This preparation ensured that the field teams were clear on the objectives and methodologies of this survey. Two days were spent in Mai district for gathering secondary data and information at PAFO and MWBP. The survey team spent nine days traveling along Xe Kong river down to the mouth of Xe Pian and traveling up along the Xe Pian to Mai village, and then back to Sanamxay district and Mai district. The team also visited Pakse in searching for the link between fish traders from Attapeu and fish traders from Pakse. Schedule of activities of the marketing survey is in Appendix 1.

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III. Attapeu Province Attapeu with the total area of 9,428 km2 is situated 980 kilometres from Vientiane and located in the extreme southeast bordering Vietnam and Cambodia. About 78 per cent (7,335 km2) of the province is covered with forests while agricultural land is only 1.6 per cent or 155 km2. There are five districts in Attapeu province. These are Samakkhixay, Phouvong, Xaysetha, Sanamxay and Sanxay. Apart from mountainous area in the province, there is a large area of lowland plains in the centre around the confluence of Xekong, Xe Kamarn and Xetsou rivers. Smaller rivers in the area consist of Xe Pian and Xe Khampho rivers. About 93,000 people live in Attapeu province. With an average density of 9.2 per km2, Attapeu is one of the least densely populated provinces, and is among the poorest provinces in the country (MWBP, 2006). Fisheries play a critical role in rural livelihoods for consumption as well as income generation. Fishing mostly occurs in the main rivers, especially the Xe Kong and Xe Pian. However, fish are also taken from rice fields and wetland areas during the wet season.

IV. Structure of trade There seems to be four main locations that fish have been gathered and traded in Attapeu province. Transportation access to these locations is one of the main factors that influence fish trading activities. Types of transportation in the four locations have been geographically shaped by the main rivers, especially the Xe Kong and Xe Pian rivers. Samakkhixay district or Mai district is the main location where most fish in Xe Kong and Xe Pian are transported before they reach the final markets. Some amount of fish is sent directly to local markets and restaurants in Mai District. It is reported that large amount of fish, especially big fish are sent to Pakse by bus and private vehicles. These fish are then sent to Vientiane and other main cities in Laos and Ubonrachattany province (Thailand).

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Figure 1: Location of fish trade in Attapeu province

Pakse is a place where there is a market of high-value or big fish. Attapeu is just 200 kilometers away from Pakse. With the completion of road from Xe Kong province and Attapeu province in 2004, traveling duration between Attapeu and Pakse is shorten to about three hours by private vehicles. There are several daily buses from Attapeu to Pakse, and the trip takes about five or six hours. Buses from Attapeu to Sekong take two and a half hours. The only bus station is located in Mai district which is called KM3 bus station. According to the interview of two bus drivers, fish traders sometimes send ice containers with full of fish to Pakse via buses. The primary trading sites appear to be Sanamxay district, Mai village and Phonsaath village. Fish below the rapids of Xe Pian river are landed to Phonsaath village by local village traders before they are transported by boats to Mai village. Fish from Mai village are then sent to Sanamxay district by bus before they are transported to Mai district. Table 1 shows distance among the main locations where there are road and bus access. Distance and transportation are the vital factors that influence fish trading activities. Table 1. Distance among the main locations Mai district 35 km Sanamxay district 43 km 8 km Mai village

Mai District Sanamxay District Mai Village

Phonsaath Village

Other villages below the rapids of Xe Pian river

Other villages along Xe Kong river

Villages in Mai District

Other villages upper the rapids of Xe Pian river

Main trading site

Final market

Road access

Boat access

Pakse

Thailand

Vientiane and other main cities in Laos

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V. Types of fish traders There are four types of fish traders identified in this survey. These are large-scale fish traders, village fish traders, fisher traders and unregistered fish traders. There are three large-scale fish traders operating in Attapeu province. These traders have large trading networks along Xe Kong and Xe Pian rivers (see Appendix 2). Fish collected by these traders are mainly sold to the restaurants in Mai district and sent to across the province, mainly Pakse where price offers are much higher. Boats and private vehicles are their main operators of their fish trading activities. Village fish traders located in Sanamxay district are those who have directly contacted with local fishers in the villages. In this survey, 16 village fish traders were identified. Many of them are from Mai village. Most of these traders have trading relationships with the large-scale fish traders. In addition, some village traders, for example, in Mai village also create their trading networks with fishers and local traders in other remote villages such as Phonsaath village. Boats are their main facilitators to access to fishing camps. Fisher traders are those who go fishing and sell by themselves. Most of them actively operate along Xe Kong river. These traders often land their fish in the local markets in Mai district using their boats. In this survey, it is estimated there are 10 fisher traders along Xe Kong river where four of them were interviewed. It is found that their main fish products are in forms of processed fish, mainly fermented fish, smoked fish and sour fish. This is because the processed fish products can be kept for longer time and also sold at higher prices. There was one fisher trader interviewed in Xe Pian river. He is also a fisher as well as local fish trader who buys fish from fishers along fishing camps in Xe Pian. This trader, however, has limited access to the main market in Mai district due remote geographical area of Xe Pian river. Thus, he sells his fish to a village trader who also buys fish along fishing camps in both Xe Pian and Xe Kong rivers.

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Box 1: A fisher trader processing fish at Xe Kong river

Unregistered fish traders are those who buy fish by chance from villagers, especially in Mai village and Sanamxay district center. Without paying tax, these traders operate freely using their motorbikes to buy any fish from villagers. They seem to offer slightly higher prices to villagers as they do not have capital investment to fishers. In this survey, three unregistered traders were found. Their final markets are located in Mai district. VI. Trading network of fish traders in Attapeu province Traders seem to link together one way or another. Figure 2 presents trading network of fish traders in Attapeu province. Large-scale traders link their fish trading network with village traders and fishers. There is possible trade between the large-scale traders and fisher traders. This trade may be specific to high valuable or big fish. The large-scale traders have set up their large trading network at villages along Xe Kong and Xe Pian rivers. As a result, the flow of marketing fish of large-scale traders appears to be effective. The large-scale traders link their trade not only in local market and restaurants in Mai district, but also with big traders from Pakse in Champasack province. The trade between the large-scale traders and Pakse traders consists mainly of big or high valuable fish such as Pa Kheung (Hemibagrus wyckioides) and Pa Nang (Kryptopterus apogon) which have their weights more than three kilograms. Fishers along Xe Kong and Xe Pian rivers link to all traders who offer appropriate prices for their fish. In every early morning and evening, fisher traders and village traders often sail along the rivers to buy fish with fishers whereas unregistered traders usually ride their motorbikes to villages in the early morning and ask everyone who is willing to sell fish to them. They then bring their fish to sell at the market in Mai district.

A fisher trader at Xekong river near Sompoy village prepared fish for making sour fish. Her family settled here. Her father and husband fish around Xekong river near their camps from the early morning to the evening. When they have enough fermented fish, smoked fish and sour fish, they then sail their boat to sell their fish in Mai district about 2 to 3 times per month

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Figure 2: Trading network of fish traders in Attapeu province

In the survey it is found that there is some degree of investment among large-scale traders to village traders, fisher traders and fishers. Traders often invest their capital in buying mainly fish gears to some fishers. In return, the fishers sell their fish to the loan traders at negotiated prices. In contrast, large-scale traders sometimes provide cash for some village traders and fisher traders for buying fish for them. This loan system is to make the flow of fish trade smoothly and effectively. VII. Species and prices In this survey about 27 species were identified. Two fish species with no-scale i.e. Pa Kheung (Hemibagrus wyckioides) and Pa Nang (Kryptopterus apogon) are highly targeted by fishers and traders due to high market preference. Moreover, about eight species are considered as relatively high market preference (see Table 2). The size of fish, however, is matter for the market choice. The bigger size of fish is given for the higher price. About seven species are considered as medium market preference while ten species are categorized for low price due to relatively small size which is less than one kilogram (see Appendix 3).

Pakse traders Large-scale traders

Village traders

Fisher traders

Unregistered traders

Fishers

Local market and restaurants at Mai district

Trade of big fish Normal trade Possibly trade

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Table 2. Species with high market preference in Attapeu province

No. Local name of fish

Genus Species Market preference

1 Pa Kheung (>3kg)

Hemibagrus wyckioides High

Between 2-3 kg High Less than 2 kg Medium

2 Pa Nang Kryptopterus apogon High Small fish Low

3 Pa Phone Cirrhinus microlepis High

4 Pa Khare Bagarius yarrelli High

5 Pa Khao Wallago attu High

6 Pa Peung Pangasius larnaudii High

7 Pa Souay Pangasius krempfi High

8 Pe Eun Probarbus jullieni High 9 Pa Khoun Wallago leeri High

10 Pa Kot (>1kg) Hemibagrus nemurus High Less than 1 kg Low

Prices of fish are varied according to their sizes, market preferences and seasonality. It can be seen that most fish with no-scale are preferable for market due to their nice taste. Prices of small fish range from 5,000 to 10,000 Kip at the fishing camps whereas prices of high valuable or big fish seem to be relatively constant over a year (see Appendix 4). The highest selling price of fish at Mai district is given to Pa Kheung (Hemibagrus wyckioides). Box 2. Sale of Pa Kheung (Hemibagrus wyckioides) at a fishing camp in Xe Kong river

A village trader from Sompoy village weighed up Pa Kheung (Hemibagrus wyckioides) with a fisher at a fishing camp in Xe Kong river in the early morning. The trader bought the fish at 28,000 kip per kg. This fish can be sold in Mai district at a price of 30,000-36,000 kip per kg.

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VIII. Seasonality Seasonality appears to be the main influence on fish trade in Attapeu province as well as in other provinces of Lao PDR. As seasonality affects the migration of fish, the period of upstream and downstream migration of fish is the time when fishers catch more fish than any period of time. However, fishers could face much low prices offered by traders due to over supply of fish at markets. According to the interviews with local fishers and traders, upstream fish migration occurs variably in a period of three months from June to August whereas downstream migration started from September to November. Different groups of species give different periods of migration. During this time fishers can manage to catch large amount of fish. Unsold fish of fishers are often turned in to fermented fish. In addition, seasonality of upland and lowland rain-fed rice farming also occurs from May to November. Local people find themselves spending most of the day time in the rice fields and go fishing in the late evening and early morning. Some local people who do not have land for rice farming usually spend their time in fishing or going to forests to find non-timber forest products. All other activities, thus, have some effect on time of local people fishing. XI. Economic factors influencing fish trading activities Fish trade in Attapeu province is not only shaped by geographical and ecological factors, but also influenced by economic factors such as capital investment and market information access. To become an active fish trader, they have to buy at least an engine boat for sailing along the rivers to buy fish at fishing camps. In addition, access to ice could facilitate a trader in keeping fresh fish last longer during the time of buying fish from fishers. According to the interview, a village trader spends about 100,000 kip per day on gasoline and a further 20,000 kip per day on ice. These operating costs are considerably varied depending on distance of traveling. If 20 kg of fish available for the trader to buy and the average price of fish is about 10,000 kip per kg, he/she has to have cash in hand for at least 200,000 kip. In some case where the trader has a close connection with local fishers, the trader sometimes gets fish from fishers and pays them back later when the trader runs out of money. Table 1 lists the trader’s fish marketing inventory. Operating equipments include engine boat, wooden boat, ice box, scale, fishing equipment and vehicle that transports fish to final markets. It can be seen that large-scale and unregistered traders have access to the final market using their private vehicles. This means that they have access to information related to fish sale and market demand. In addition, profit is much higher when fish are marketed in city markets. Such access to the final market has implication for local village traders and fishers. Due to limited access to the market, they often find much low prices offered by large-scale traders. Table 3 shows trader’s fish marketing inventory. Large-scale fish traders appear to have operating equipments that facilitate their trade. These include engine boat, ice box, scale

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and their private vehicles. Their capital investment over trading equipments and in tightening their trading networks with village traders and fishers is definitely high. Table 3. Trader’s fish marketing inventory Operating equipments Type of trader Engine

boat Wooden boat

Ice box

Scale Fishing equipment

Vehicle to final market

Capital investment

Large-scale trader Y N Y Y N Private vehicle

H

Village trader Y N Y Y N N M Fisher trader Y Y N Y Y Boat L Unregistered trader

N N N Y N Motorbike M

Y = yes; N = no H = high; M = medium; L = low X. Some effects of fish trade on abundance of fish There is evidence that illegal fishing sometimes occurs along Xe Kong and Xe Pian rivers. Illegal fishing techniques include blocking stream, applying toxic chemical and using electric shock. Fishers have sometimes surveillance their water areas and report to their village authorities if they saw illegal fishing. It can be possibly said that fish trade may influence directly or indirectly on the level of exploitation of fish. During this survey, the team found that one large-scale fish trader provide big gillnet to fishers for blocking Xe Pian river at night time. Unfortunately, some local fishers saw and reported to police to confiscate and take action to this trader. Box 3. A large gill net confiscated by a local police Some fishers may take risk to use illegal fishing gears in catching more fish. A question may be raised on who provides that type of fishing gears to the fishers. Such large

A large gill net used in blocking Xe Pian river was confiscated and placed at a police check point near the mouth of Xe Pian river. The fishing gear belongs to a large-scale fish trader.

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gillnets, toxic chemicals and electric battery are all from a market in the city. Some traders could be possibly suspected persons as they have capital and travel back and fold to the market. Nevertheless, not all traders would be blamed for this. There are some cases that fishers from other areas use illegal fishing in some parts of the river. This has alarmed local fishers to frequently monitor their water bodies. XI. Conclusion and recommendation Fish marketing system in Attapeu province is established along Xe Kong and Xe Pain rivers. Four types of fish traders were identified in this survey. It is noticed that high-end market for high-value or big fish is in Pakse where fish are then channeled to other big cities of Laos and Thailand. Pa Kheung (Hemibagrus wyckioides) and Pa Nang (Kryptopterus apogon) are the most common high-value fish species in Attapeu. About 27 fish species were found in this survey. There is always demand for big or high-value fish while small fish are normally consumed or sold at very low price. “In the past fish is just for own consumption. Now we won’t eat big fish because they can be sold” said the interviewed fisher at the fishing camp near the mouth of Xe Pian. As local communities are connected to outside areas where there is high demand for local natural resources, the way of local livelihood and their reaction to the outside world has been rapidly shifted. Local people increasingly demand more goods and services that improve their livelihoods. Therefore, in order to make effort in buying other goods and services, they have to find something that they could trade with traders from outside areas. Poor people often heavily rely on natural resources to find food for consumption and some natural products to sell for additional income. Fish, wildlife and non-timber forest products are the resources that local poor people are greatly dependant for getting additional income for their family. Access to the outside market through improvement of road and infrastructure would definitely accelerate the trade of these natural resources. Local people are likely to increase their working effort to search for natural products that they could sell. Consequently, sustainable use of the natural resources becomes a great challenge for the government and local communities. Appropriate regulation for sustainable management and use of these resources are definitely required. It is necessary to clearly understand the trading system of these resources. This is one of the main factors that has a major impact on the level of resource utilization. The study of trade and interaction among different stakeholders involving in trading activities of the natural resources provide valuable data and information for the management planning of these resources. The presence of species in trade and the level of exploitation in the marketing study could be one of main indicators for monitoring environmental and natural resources. In term of sustainable management of the natural resources, it is necessary for different development sectors to involve in the management. Local people could not heavily rely on the natural products as their main income generation. Education is required for them to understand how to make sustainable use of the resources. New activities such as appropriate agricultural farming and other laboring works are required for the local

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people. These would decrease the level of exploitation of the natural resources and possibly lead to sustainable use of the resources. Overall, natural conservation and socio-economic development are two critical courses that require for sustainable management and use of the natural resources.

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Reference Nash, S. V. (1997), Fin, feather, scale and skin: Observations on the wildlife trade in Lao PDR and Vietnam, Traffic Southeast Asia, Malaysia. MWBP (2006), Participatory Poverty Assessmant (PPA): Attapeu Province, Lao PDR, Mekong Wetlands Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme, Vientiane. Phonvisay, A. (2001), Fish Marketing Study in Vientiane, LARReC Technical Report No. 0003, LARReC, Vientiane. Phonvisay, A (2002), The Study of Fish Trade from the Siphandone Fishery, Champassak Province, 2002, LARReC Technical Report No. 0006, LARReC, Vientiane. Phonvisay, A (2003), Monitoring of Fish Trade Study of the Siphandone Fishery, Champassak Province, 2003, LARReC Technical Report No. 0008, LARReC, Vientiane. Phonvisay, A. and Bush, S. R. (2001a), Baseline Study of Fish Trade from the SiiphandoneFishery, LARReC Technical Report No. 0004, LARReC, Vientiane.

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Appendices

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Appendix 1: Schedule of activities in Attapeu Province (May 2006)

Date Location Activity 02/05/06 Attapeu, Muang

Mai • Met Vongthong to arrange coordination with govt. • Met with PAFO – Khamphamay (PAFO head),

Inphan (PAFO rep on team). 03/05/06 Attapeu, Muang

Mai • Orientation with Phouavong, Aloun, Bandit,

Imphan and Sarinda at office. • Interviews with government officials, traders and

market manager. 04/05/06 Attapeu, Muang

Sanamxay, District Centre (DC)

• Interviews and surveys at market, government offices, traders and fishermen.

05/05/06 Xe Kong River • Travel from Sanamxay DC downstream on Xe Kong River.

• Interviews at Xe Kong camp (1). • Visited Ban Sompoy, stayed at Xe Kong camp (2)

near Ban Sompoy. 06/05/06 Xe Kong River • Travel downstream.

• Interviews at Xe Kong camp (3) near Ban Sompoy.

• Passed thru Ban Hat Oudomxay (MWBP working there).

• Interviews with major fish trader (Mee Tieu). • Stayed at police checkpoint, interviews with

passing fishers and traders. 07/05/06 Xe Kong River • Interviews with police, traders and fishers around

police checkpoint. • Return to Ban Hat Oudomxay for survey and

interviews. 08/05/06 Xe Kong River -

Xe Pian River • Interviews at Ban Hat Oudomxay. • Interview at Xe Kong camp (4). • Interviews at Xe Pian camp (1) at confluence of

Xe Kong and Xe Pian rivers. Interviews with passing traders.

• Travelled upstream on Xe Pian River. • Stayed at Xe Pian camp (2). Interviews with

villagers and passing traders. 09/05/06 Xe Pian River • Interviews at camp then travel upstream.

• Interviews at Xe Pian camp (3), with fish and mushroom traders.

• Interviews at Xe Pian camp (4), Xe Pian camp (5), and Xe Pian camp (6).

• Stayed at Xe Pian camp (7).

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10/05/06 Xe Pian River • Interview at Xe Pian camp (8). • Travel upstream on Xe Pian. • Interview at Xe Pian camp (9) and Xe Pian camp

(10). • Stayed at Ban Phonseat, interviews with village

traders. 11/05/06 Xe Pian River • Interviews at Ban Phonseat.

• Travel upstream. • Interviews at Xe Pian camp (11), Xe Pian camp

(12), Xe Pian camp (13), Xe Pian camp (14), Xe Pian camp (15), Xe Pian camp (16).

• Stayed at Ban Mai. 12/05/06 Xe Pian River • Boat drivers, Sayphone and Noi, start return to

Muang Mai. • Interviews with passenger vehicle (lot doy san)

drivers, village headman and traders in Ban Mai and Ban Souamong.

13/05/06 Ban Mai, Muang Sanamxay – Muang Mai

• Interviews with village traders, vehicle drivers and ice maker.

• Travel from Ban Mai to Sanamxai DC, debrief with team.

• Sarinda and Aloun travel to Muang Mai (Bandith remains in Sanamxai, Imphan stays in Muang Samakhixay).

14/05/06 Muang Mai • Data entry, work at office. 17/05/06 Attapeu - Pakse • Depart Attapeu for Pakse.

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Appendix 2: Trader profiles

Trader type Name Location Year of trading Kha Pa Cham Source of fish Trading destination Transportation type

Total estimated no. traders

Mrs Kong Jai M. Mai 2001 4 Xe Kong, M. Sanamxay Restaurants, market, Pakse Boats, local bus

Mrs Phat/Mr Meow

M. Mai/M. Sanamxay 1997 5 Xe Kong, B. Mai

Restaurants, market, Pakse Private car

Large-scale traders Mrs Tieu

Close to Pak Xe Pian 1985 2-3? Xe Kong, Xe Pian, Cambodia

Prob. M. Mai, Pakse etc. Boat 3

Mr Somsananh M. Sanamxay 1993-1994 None Xe Kong M. Mai Boat, local bus

Mr Sithat* B. Ta Ngao - - Xe Kong, prob. Xe Pian M. Sanamxay Local bus

Mr Sikot* B. Ta Ngao - - Xe Kong, prob. Xe Pian M. Sanamxay Local bus

Mr Boun* B. Sompoy - - Xe Kong, prob. Xe Pian M. Sanamxay Local bus

Mr Ay* M. Sanamxay - - Xe Kong, prob. Xe Pian M. Sanamxay Local bus

Mrs Bot* B. Boungkeo - - Xe Kong, prob. Xe Pian M. Sanamxay Local bus

Mr Duangpee B. Phonsaath 1992-1993 Sell to Mr Vi Xe Pian below Keng Larn B. Mai Boat

Mr Phuthone B. Phonsaath 1992-1993 Sell to Mr Vi Xe Pian below Keng Larn B. Mai Boat

Mr Vieng B. Phonsaath 1996 - Xe Pian below Keng Larn B. Mai Boat Mr Souy/Mrs Thien B. Mai 1999-2000 Village fishers Xe Pian upstream

M. Sanamxay, sell to Meow Private car by Meow

Mrs Lieum B. Mai 2000-2001 None B. Mai Km 3 Bus station, M. Xaysetha Local bus

Mr Umphone B. Mai 1998 5 fishers All Xe Pian M. Sanamxay, sell to Meow Private car by Meow

Mr Sukan B. Mai 2003 None All Xe Pian M. Sanamxay, sell to Meow Private car by Meow

Mr Vi B. Mai 1994 2 traders/fishers Xe Pian down to Pak Xe Khamphor

M. Sanamxay, sell to Meow Private car by Meow

Mr Thao B. Mai 1996 16 fishers Xe Pian down to Pak Xe Khamphor

M. Sanamxay, sell to Meow Private car by Meow

Village traders Mrs Sitha B. Samong - None Xe Pian upstream Km 3 Bus station Local bus 16

Mr Bounnyang M. Mai - None Xe Kong M. Mai market

Mrs Khamkone Xe Kong near B. Sompoy - None Xe Kong M. Mai market Boat

Mr Kenthong B. Hat Oudomxay 2003 Sell to Meow Xe Kong

M. Sanamxay, sell to Meow Boat

Fisher traders Mr Harn B. Sivilay - Sell to Sithat Xe Pian To Mr Sithat Boat 11 Unregistered traders Mr Xay M. Mai 1994 None M. Sanamxay, B. Mai M. Mai Motorbike 3 *not interviewed

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Appendix 3: Species and market preference

No. Species/Location Genus Species Market preference

1 Pa Kheung (>3kg) Hemibagrus wyckioides High Between 2-3 kg High Less than 2 kg Medium

2 Pa Nang Kryptopterus apogon High Small fish Low

3 Pa Phone Cirrhinus microlepis High

4 Pa Khare Bagarius yarrelli High

5 Pa Khao Wallago attu High

6 Pa Peung Pangasius larnaudii High

7 Pa Souay Pangasius krempfi High

8 Pe Eun Probarbus jullieni High 9 Pa Khoun Wallago leeri High

10 Pa Kot (>1kg) Hemibagrus nemurus High Less than 1 kg Low

11 Pa Keng Cirrhinus molitorella Medium

12 Pa Jok Cyclocheilichthys enoplus Medium

13 Pa Va Labeo erythropterus Medium

14 Pa Men Osphronemus exodon Medium

15 Pa E Tu Labeo barbatulus Medium

16 Pa Doh Channa

micropeltes Medium

17 Pa Khor Channa

striata Medium

18 Pa Pien Scaphognathops bandanensis Low

19 Pa Sa Kang Puntioplites proctozysron Low

20 Pa Soi Cirrhinus jullieni Low

21 Pa Mou Botia sidthimunki Low

22 Pa Poud Labiobarbus leptocheila Low 23 Pa Hak Kouy Low

24 Pa Wian Fai Barbonymus schwanenfeldii Low

25 Pa Dok Ngew Cyclocheilichthys apogon Low 26 Pa Phai Larm Low

27 Pa Pak Barbonymus gonionotus Low

24

Appendix 4: Species and price

Selling price (Kip/kg)

No. Species/Location Muang Mai M. Sanamxay Xe Kong Ban Hat Oudomxay Downstream Xe Pian Phonsaath Upstream Xe Pian Ban Mai

1 Pa Kheung (>3kg) 30000-36000 35000 25000-28000 30000 15000-25000 30000 25000-28000 30000

- Between 2-3 kg 22000 11000 21000-22000 24000

- Less than 2 kg 15000 10000 13000 25000

2 Pa Nang Same as No. 1 Same as No. 1 Same as No. 1 25000 20000 25000 25000-27000 30000-35000

3 Small fish 10000-13000 8000 5000-8000 6000 4000-6000 7000-10000 5000-10000 12000

4 Pa Jok 25000 15000-18000

5 Pa Va 25000 15000-18000 10000-14000 15000

6 Pa Pak 15000-18000 5000-6000

7 Pa Phone 15000-18000 15000

8 Pa Men 15000-18000

9 Pa Kot (>1kg) 10000 11000

- Less than 1 kg 8000 6000

10 Pa E Tu 8000 9000-11000

11 Pa Khare 10000-15000 13000

12 Pa Khao 10000 13000 14000 17000

13 Pa Peung 14000 17000

14 Pa Souay 14000 17000

15 Pa Khoun 10000 13000 14000-15000 17000-18000

- Less than 1kg 5000

16 Pa Doh 10000

17 Pa Khor 9000-10000 25000

Other aquatic animals

18 Kob 7000 25000

19 Khiat 7000 25000

Processed fish 20 Pa Dek 7000 5000

21 Pa Som 20000-25000

22 Pa Som Nung 40000

23 Pa Khoun 18000

24 Pa Yang Nung 50000

25 Pa Yang Ket 25000-40000

25

Appendix 5: Estimated trade and expenditure by fish traders Estimated trade

(kg/day) Operating expenditures

(kip/day)

Name Location Dry

season Wet

season Fuel Ice Mrs Kong Jai M. Mai 42.5 85 unknown unknown Mrs Phat/Mr Meow M. Mai/M. Sanamxay 27.5 90 unknown unknown Mrs Tieu Close to Pak Xe Pian Mr Somsananh M. Sanamxay unknown unknown 100000 28000 Mr Sithat* B. Ta Ngao Mr Sikot* B. Ta Ngao Mr Boun* B. Sompoy Mr Ay* M. Sanamxay Mrs Bot* B. Boungkeo Mr Duangpee B. Phonsaath 15 27.5 unknown 35000 Mr Phuthone B. Phonsaath Mr Vieng B. Phonsaath 22.5 unknown unknown unknown Mr Souy/Mrs Thien B. Mai unknown 35 unknown unknown Mrs Lieum B. Mai 40 unknown 100000 7000 Mr Umphone B. Mai 40 unknown 40000 17500 Mr Sukan B. Mai 27.5 unknown 150000 20000 Mr Vi B. Mai 18 25 150000 Mr Thao B. Mai 15 unknown 70000 50000 Mrs Sitha B. Samong Mr Bounnyang M. Mai 6.67 unknown 6666.7 -

Mrs Khamkone Xe Kong near B. Sompoy 5 20 unknown unknown

Mr Kenthong B. Hat Oudomxay Mr Harn B. Sivilay 9 unknown unknown unknown Mr Xay M. Mai 15 75 20000 -

26

Appendix 6: Survey locations in Attapeu Province GPS

Survey location Date N E

Locality Local name

Attapeu Provincial Centre (PC) 3/5/2006 - Muang Mai Sanamxay District Centre (DC) 4/5/2006 14 40 050 106 85 126 About 34 km from Muang Mai Muang Sanamxay Xe Kong camp (1) 5/5/2006 Downstream of Sanamxay DC - Xe Kong camp (2) 5/5/2006 - 6/5/2006 14 40 768 106 35 167 Downstream of Ban Sompoy Tum Ma Khoi Xe Kong camp (3) 6/5/2006 14 81 165 106 27 006 Downstream of Ban Sompoy Vang Sa Kae, Hin Herb Police checkpoint 6/5/2006 -7/5/2006 14 26 855 106 20 73 Upstream of Xe Kong-Xe Pian confluence - Ban Hat Oudomxay 7/5/2006 - 8/5/2006 14 26 934 106 21 061 Upstream of Xe Kong-Xe Pian confluence Ban Hat Nyai Xe Kong camp (4) 8/5/2006 14 27 021 106 21 603 Upstream of Xe Kong-Xe Pian confluence - Xe Pian camp (1) 8/5/2006 14 26 658 106 20 180 At Xe Kong-Xe Pian confluence Pak Xe Pian Xe Pian camp (2) 8/5/2006 - 9/5/2006 14 27 948 106 20 641 Upstream of Xe Kong-Xe Pian confluence Hin Khampheng Nyai Xe Pian camp (3) 9/5/2006 14 28 057 106 20 910 Upstream of Xe Kong-Xe Pian confluence (Thaa) Nong Charn Xe Pian camp (4) 9/5/2006 14 29 290 106 19 722 Upstream of Xe Kong-Xe Pian confluence North of Nong Charn Xe Pian camp (5) 9/5/2006 14 30 340 106 19 744 Upstream of Xe Kong-Xe Pian confluence Thaa Nong Sii Xe Pian camp (6) 9/5/2006 14 30 170 106 20 748 Upstream of Xe Kong-Xe Pian confluence Keng Duan Xe Pian camp (7) 9/5/2006 - 10/5/2006 14 31 018 106 20 927 At Xe Pian-Xe Khamphor confluence Pak Xe Khamphor Xe Pian camp (8) 10/5/2006 14 31 124 106 20 837 At Xe Pian-Xe Khamphor confluence Pak Xe Khamphor, Hat Sung Xe Pian camp (9) 10/5/2006 14 31 653 106 21 377 Upstream of Xe Pian-Xe Khamphor confluence Thaa Din Daeng Xe Pian camp (10) 10/5/2006 14 33 479 106 23 062 Upstream of Xe Pian-Xe Khamphor confluence Keng Mong Soum

Ban Phonseat 10/5/2006 - 11/5/2006 14 35 382 106 21 313 Downstream of Keng Larn rapids -

Xe Pian camp (11) 11/5/2006 14 38 842 106 27 974 Between Keng Ngao and Keng Kok rapids Keng Kok Xe Pian camp (12) 11/5/2006 14 39 826 106 28 778 Upstream of Keng Larn rapids Keng Larn Xe Pian camp (13) 11/5/2006 14 40 171 106 28 719 Downstream of Ban Mai Tha Pha Phong Xe Pian camp (14) 11/5/2006 14 40 171 106 28 719 Downstream of Ban Mai Tha Pha Phong Xe Pian camp (15) 11/5/2006 14 40 444 106 28 757 Downstream of Ban Mai Tha Ka Tao Xe Pian camp (16) 11/5/2006 14 40 444 106 28 757 Downstream of Ban Mai Tha Ka Tao

Ban Mai 11/5/2006 - 13/5/2006 14 40 443 106 28 757

Adjoining villages of Ban Samong, Ban Tha Hin -

Sanamxay DC 13/5/2006 - Muang Sanamxay

Attapeu PC 13/5/2006 - 16/5/2006 - Talaat Muang Mai

27

Photos

28

Photo 1: The market at Mai district Photo 2: The market at Sanamxay district center

Photo 3: The local bus stop at Mai village Photo 4: Schedule of bus at KM 3 bus station at Mai district

29

Photo 5: A fishing camp at Xe Kong river Photo 6: Fish packed in an ice box used by a trader

Photo 7: Pa Kheung caught by a fisher ready to be sold Photo 8: A local trader weighing up Pa Khueng at the Xe Kong

30

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