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| Field research on aquatic species composition in the A Sap River basin. Photo: Tran Tam |
The workshop aimed to share and validate research findings, gather input from relevant stakeholders, and consult with local communities to identify and select potential areas for developing a community-based aquatic resource conservation model.
The workshop is a part of the IP3 Project, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, managed by Oxfam Novib and directly implemented by CSRD in Hue City. The initiative seeks to strengthen resilience to climate change and improve water resource governance through the protection of aquatic biodiversity and the development of sustainable livelihoods.
At the workshop, experts presented research findings on aquatic species composition in the A Sap River basin, along with the results of identifying potential areas for aquatic resource conservation, accompanied by maps. These findings provide an important scientific basis for CSRD to consult with relevant stakeholders and local communities and select an appropriate area for further support.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Huu Toan, Head of the research team, said that from April to September 2026, a team of experts conducted comprehensive field surveys throughout the A Sap River basin. The surveys recorded 102 fish species, including 17 rare and threatened species listed in conservation categories, 9 endemic species and 20 species of economic value. Compared with 2024, the number of newly identified rare, threatened and endemic species increased by 13, bringing the total number of species in these categories to 26. Based on ecological data, the study identified 5 areas with potential for aquatic resource conservation.
Assessing the importance of the local ecosystem, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Thi Dinh, Director of CSRD, emphasized that the A Sap River basin is a unique freshwater ecosystem within the system of three major rivers of the Mekong River basin. Despite its high biodiversity value, aquatic resources in the area are facing growing pressure from unsustainable exploitation. Through the project, CSRD will work closely with local authorities to select a priority area with a view to establishing a community-managed conservation area. A key feature of the model will be the harmonious integration of scientific knowledge, local knowledge and customary laws of ethnic minority communities in A Luoi 3 and A Luoi 4 communes.
In the future, the selected area for the aquatic conservation zone will serve as a pilot site for developing operating regulations, establishing a community self-management group and raising public awareness. The model is expected not only to successfully protect local biodiversity but also to lay the groundwork for replication in other potential areas throughout the A Sap River basin, linking sustainable livelihoods with the responsibility of local communities.