General Directorate of Fisheries

The Mekong River basin is one of the most productive inland fisheries ecosystems in the world, providing critical sources of nutrition, livelihoods, and economic value for millions of people across the region. However, fisheries biodiversity is increasingly under threat due to unsustainable practices, weak enforcement, habitat degradation, and inconsistent regulatory frameworks among Mekong countries.

Although each country has established its own fisheries laws and regulations, the lack of a harmonized regional framework limits effective coordination and enforcement. There is a growing need for a regional guideline that supports countries in aligning their efforts, strengthening law enforcement, and improving monitoring systems while respecting national legal frameworks.

Such a guideline will serve as a key tool to guide regional cooperation, enhance biodiversity conservation, and ensure the long-term sustainability of aquatic resources in the Mekong region.