‘Mimic the River’ explores aquaculture’s relationship with Mekong River
There are many complexities involved with aquaculture that take place in public bodies of water, such as rivers and oceans – especially when those waters run through country lines. The Mekong River Delta is no exception, and GAA had the opportunity to collaborate with the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC) on a GAA Film exploring aquaculture’s relationship with this particular delta outside of Hanoi, Vietnam, with “Mimic the River”.
“Mimic the River” follows Vietnamese aquaculture practitioners from the area as they explain how the Mekong’s direction of flow – starting in China, then flowing through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and finally going into Vietnam – has a major impact on their livelihood. The headwaters of the river lie entirely in China. These areas of the river have recently been dammed by China, thereby affecting water flow and the salinity of the water resource used for farming. This is having an effect on the livelihoods of the farmers, who already struggle to survive in rural Vietnam.
How can we, doing what we do in aquaculture, be a proponent for and partner with mother nature?
Through candid interviews with practitioners and experts, the film addresses water contamination, climate change, and water insecurity issues in rural areas. The subjects attest to the role that aquaculture has historically played with regards to these pervasive issues. It also provides answers to how technology can be used as a tool to combat them.
