CIVIBADemocracy and Civic Practices

Project

Fish Conservation Zones (FCZ)

Vientiane (Xaysettha) · Nationwide · Laos

Commons and belongingCivic food1993

Pools and river stretches where the village bans or limits fishing under its own rules, signed by the district. It is the most widespread form of commons management in the country: in 2018 there were 1,677 zones, 1,313 recognised by the government and 364 managed by villages alone. There is evidence that they increase the number of species, but many exist only on paper, dams and electrofishing empty them, and guards say they dare not fine soldiers, police or officials.

Led by
Villages, with district approval and support from the Department of Livestock and Fisheries; many zones were set up with NGOs and donors (WWF, FISHBIO, IUCN)
Status
Active
Participation
Co-governed
Visitable
No, it is a village practice
Contact
No public contact on record
Last reviewed
1 October 2026

Verification

Verified

This place is backed by at least one primary and one secondary source, reviewed within the last twelve months. The sources appear below with their consultation dates.

  • Verified two sources including a primary one, or first-hand knowledge of the place
  • Partial one source on record
  • Unverified starting knowledge, sources pending

Sources

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