Status of fish biodiversity and fishing on Hau River, Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Fish biodiversity on Hau (Bassac) river was investigated to assess the status of species composition and fishing by fishing gears during a year. Sampling was implemented monthly at the upper part (An Giang province), middle part (Can Tho City) and lower part (Soc Trang province) of Hau River using trawl net as main sampling gear. Additionally, fish composition was also recorded from four other most popular fishing gears including cast net, gill net, fixed net and hook operated in the study sites. Fish species composition was determined by fishing gears and their abundance (CPUE) was calculated only from the main sampling gear (trawl net). The results showed that a total of 176 fish species belonging to 16 orders and 49 families was recorded. Perciformes was the most abundant group with 51 species followed by Cypriniformes with 46 species. The number of fish species was decreasing from upper part to lower part. Trawl net was considered the most destructive gear as up to 145 fish species caught by this device, followed by gill net with 98 species, fixed net 75, cast net 57, and hooks 16 species. CPUE was very low ranging from 0.53kg.ha(-1)h(-1) to 26.30kg.ha(-1)h(-1). Higher CPUE was recorded at lower part in compared to upper part and middle part, and at dry season in compared to rainy season. Regulation on fishing gears, fishing ground and season should be taken into consideration to protect and conserve the resources. Fish biodiversity on Hau River was for the first time thoroughly investigated. One endangered and six vulnerable species were scarcely recorded, only 1-2 times a year among 176 species caught by 5 fishing gears. Trawl and trammel nets are destructive gears but commonly used in fishing. CPUE was found low and declining as in other areas of the Mekong River.