Vientiane Times, Jun 24th, 2016
Hou Xangpheuak recently had rocks removed to improve fish passage as an alternative to Hou Sahong channel.
Local fishers around Don Sahong Hydropower Project (DSHP) area in Khong district, Champassak province said their fish catches have only decreased slightly this year as the project has improved fish passage for upstream and downstream migration.
One fisherman in Don Sahong village, Mr Viengxay explained that recently the project removed rocks, traps and other barriers to make it more convenient for fish passage, so fish migration upstream is quicker than in the past.
For example, two years ago, villagers built fishing equipment to catch fish in their nets because they had difficulty swimming upstream through the rocks.
Currently, the rocks have been removed and fish find it easier to go upstream, so fish catches have only decreased slightly.
However, Mr Viengxay said fishers in upstream or northern areas of the Mekong River at Hou Wai fish channel are catching more fish than downstream, possibly as a result of the improved fish passage.
Other fishers at Hang Sadam village said Don Sahong Hydropower Project has not affected their lifestyle much even though it removed some of the illegal fish traps they had built to provide for more sustainable fish conservation.
They didn’t know what effect the project would have upstream but said the fish catches in the area had decreased slightly as fishers were using only nets rather than illegal equipment.
An official at the Don Sahong Hydropower Company, Mr Somphone Phommanivong explained that the Sahong channel was probably the best channel for fish passage but it was obstructed by fishing gear.
Xang Pheuak and Sadam Channels were advised by the MRC as also passable by fish and improvements have made them more passable.
Physical improvements have been made at seven sites for fish passage now on three channels, and more will be carried out each dry season while large illegal fishing gear which blocks the channels is being removed.
He said once the dam is built, fish will be able use several other channels for upstream and downstream migration.
Such fish can use the nearby Hou Sadam for upstream and downstream migration. Earlier this year, villagers worked with project staff to remove rocks, traps and other barriers, as a result, Hou Sadam is now about 0.5m deeper.
The developers also removed rapids and rocks from Hou Xangpheuak so that more fish can pass through that channel, which is similar to but larger than Hou Sahong.
Don Sahong hydropower project is being implemented by Mega First Corporation Berhad with the power generated by the US$500-million dam to be sold domestically. Don Sahong has a concession period of 25 years. It is expected the dam will generate about 2,000 GWh of electricity per year and is slated to commence commercial operations in 2019 or 2020, with the power sold to Electricite du Laos (EDL).
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