This video is the result of a case study conducted in Na Waeng, Khemarath, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. This study used Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in order to better support fisheries management in the Mekong River. The use of LEK from local fishermen allowed researchers to map fishing grounds, fish size, species, density of fish population and river ecology into the GIS platform. This Participatory GIS approach (PGIS) not only resulted in the production of more detailed maps which could lead to better conservation, but worked to empower the fishermen to participate in the decision-making process. Using PGIS has the potential to increase democratization of fisheries management, although not without external support.

The case study was supported by the Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF)’s M-POWER fellowship program, Australian AID, and the National University of Singapore.

For more information, please contact Wisa Wisesjindawat Fink at wisa_w [at] hotmail.com.