Exploring the human dimensions of fishway infrastructure in Southeast Asia

Irrigation infrastructure is a key development pathway for meeting global food security needs through agricultural production. Throughout the Mekong in particular, investment has not only been focussed on irrigation infrastructure but also hydropower development for energy needs. This investment has implications for both human and environmental systems, with particularly negative impacts on freshwater fish. “Fish friendly” infrastructure, such as fishways, are purported to limit the fragmentation of water systems from water control infrastructure, by allowing fish passage across these barriers. There is some debate as to how efficient these fishway structures are, and the contextual factors (data availability, design, construction, etc.) that contribute to that efficiency. However, most of these discussions focus on the fishway investment decision-making and initial phases of implementation (design, construction). This research is based on in-country case studies across Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia and explores the factors which influence the ultimate outcomes of fishway investments post-construction. We draw on qualitative data generated from over 45 interviews and group discussions and unpack the critical role of long-term management on the efficiency of constructed fishways. Our research shows that a simplified conceptualisation of fishway adoption as yes/no, undermines the dynamic nature of the management of the fishway, despite the static nature of the infrastructure. We find that the human dimensions are as critical as the biophysical conditions for fishway efficiency. Specifically, we find that management authority, institutional arrangements of water governance at village level, community engagement over lifetime of infrastructure, precedence of tolerance of illegal use of natural resources, community livelihood options, land tenure adjoining the fishway site, gender and cultural practices are key areas where human factors influence fishway sustainability.