Experts warn of Salween dam”s impact on fish stocks

The Salween River to Ping River water transfer could result in a reduction in fish stocks as a result of competition from aggressive species and biological contaminants, according to authorities.

Up to 98 % of the species found along the Ping River could be threatened by the Nam Yuam Dam project, according to Apinan Suwannarak, a biologist at Maejo University, on Sunday.

” We still do n’t fully understand the biology and behavior of many Salween species. The majority of the fish in the river fly to the lagoon to lay their eggs, he said, so the reservoir might have an impact on their chances.

According to Mr. Apinan, invasive species introduced through the groundwater channels could also have an impact on the basin’s ecosystem.

Sathan Cheevavichaipong, a representative for the Yuam- Ngao- Moei- Salween River Women’s Network, said the bend of the Salween River which runs through Thailand is the only part of the river that has n’t been dammed.

Not far from the Thai-Myanmar border, the river has been dammed at 13 points in China and seven positions across Shan and Karen state in Myanmar.

The Salween River system’s biodiversity was the subject of a workshop held last week by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN) and Maejo University’s Faculty of Fisheries.

The sa-ngae fish, among others, is one of several species found in rivers thanks to local study.

According to the factory, 12 villages were designated conservation areas so that experts could conduct additional research.