SBR- Content.pmd - INBO

7 - Fisheries4.1.1. Molluscs – snails clams and mussels.The Mekong is known to have a rich molluscan fauna(see Chapter 4). At least six species of bivalves and fourkinds of snails are commonly consumed in Lao PDR andother riparian countries. 150 Snails are abundant in the dryseason around the edges of lakes or rice fields, and at thebeginning of the rainy season (May-June) when the fieldsare filled with new water. In the rainy season, snails comeout from their dry season refuge in the ground and can beseen and easily caught. A typical harvest at one time is 2-10 kg, enough for 2-5 family meals. The excess catch ofsmaller snails (hoi jeub), is sold in local markets whilelarger snails (hoi pang and hoi kong), which are morevaluable, are sold to traders or in the district market.In Cambodia, the harvest of leah (bivalves) from naturallakes is very important for consumption and the localeconomy. The catch takes place when the water recedes,from November to April. Over 138 tonnes were caughtannually by 130 families in the three sampled villages near Beoung Thom Lake, Kompong ChamProvince. Leah is sold to village traders, with farm-gate earnings of between $90 and $180 for eachfamily every year. Leah is cheap and widely consumed with beer after being cooked by the sun, orstir-fried with herbs and eaten with rice.4.1.2 Crustacea – shrimps and crabs.Snails are abundant in the dry season,providing animal protein at a time whenfish are less plentifulSmall freshwater shrimps (Macrobrachium spp.) are commonly caught in the shallow water aroundthe edges of lakes or ponds, as water recedes from November to March. Usually women andchildren engage in this catch, using hand nets or bamboo baskets. The catch is about 0.5-2 kg for 1-3 hours work. Shrimps may be caught daily or only once or twice per week, depending on thedistance of villagers from the source, and the availability of family labour. The estimated catches oflakeside communities range from 15 – 600 kg per year, amounting to up to $250 per family peryear. 151 Shrimps are boiled or stewed with various vegetables or prepared as salad. Crabs are alsocommonly collected in rice fields and eaten. Commonly-eaten species apparently all belong to thegenus Somanniathelphusa and are known in Lao PDR by the common names pou na, poukhilek and pou hin.Small freshwater shrimp arecaught in shallow water at theedges of lakes andponds during thedry season127