The Study of Spawning Grounds and Nursery Grounds of the Mekong Giant Catfish from the Perspectives of Ethnic Cultures and Indigenous Wisdom in the Mekong Areas

Abstract

The research has the objectives to study the culture and indigenous wisdom in the Mekong areas as related to the Mekong giant catfish. The Mekong giant catfish is the world’s largest fresh water fish that has no fish scale and they are found only in the Mekong River. The research investigated the indigenous wisdoms and cultures as affected by the change and development of Greater Mekong Basin Sub-region and explored spawning grounds and fingerlings nursery grounds of the Mekong giant catfish on the Mekong culture and indigenous wisdom base on the Geographic Information System (GIS). The study was conducted by qualitative research, to explore the area of Mekong River in Chiang Rai province. The study findings were as follows: The Mekong giant catfish had been given different meanings based on the development of all states that share the border of Mekong River. Thereafter, the meaning of Mekong giant catfish disappeared from the cultural system of villagers. However, the indigenous wisdom of Mekong giant catfish has still existed in Thai and Lao wisdoms. The study identifies the conserve area for the reproduction of Mekong giant catfish as spawning grounds and fingerling nursery grounds of the Mekong giant catfish in Chiang Rai province.