Outside of the Mainstream: Managing Aquatic Resources in Human-Dominated Wetlands of the Lower Mekong

A large proportion of fisheries production from the Mekong basin is generated in wetland areas outside of the mainstream and major tributaries. Most of these wetlands are embedded in agricultural landscapes and used intensively for agricultural water supply, capture fisheries and sometimes aquaculture. We review case studies of aquatic resource management in such wetlands including fisheries conservation in irrigated rice farming systems, stocking of non-native species for fisheries enhancement, and aquatic habitat enhancement in farmer-managed and public water bodies. Management outcomes in such human-dominated systems are found to be strongly influenced by local bio-physical conditions and human actions. We recommend adopting a systems perspective to guide the sustainable development of these resources, considering a wide range of management options, and conducting rigorous experimental or observational studies to assess actual development outcomes.