Fish in irrigation systems: an ancient practice may be the way of the future!

Fisheries are critically important to nutrition and food security around the world. The total global value of caught wild fish and aquaculture was estimated to be USD362 billion in 2016, with fish accounting for 17% of global animal protein consumption in 2015. In the lower Mekong alone, fisheries are estimated to be worth around $17 billion a year, supporting many millions of people living throughout the basin.

This critical source of income and nutrition is under threat. With rapid and sometimes destructive development, over-fishing, and extreme climatic events, once thriving breeding grounds like the Tonle Sap are rapidly degrading. As a result, it is anticipated that in many places fish catches and protein sources for local populations will…