This paper describes the status of the pla buk or Maekhong giant
catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) in ethnoichthyological discourse based on
field studies in Chiangkhong, northern Thailand. As its vernacular and
English names indicate ("buk" means colossal or strong) , pla buk is
known for its huge size, attaining a length of at least 2.5 m and a weight
of more than 250 kg in adults. Although it is endemic to the Maekhong
river and its tributaries, little is known of the ecology and feeding habits
of either juveniles or adults. Yet, mature individuals are captured locally
in the main stream of the Maekhong by Thai and Lao fishermen in the
border areas of northern Thailand and Laos, when they ascend the river
for spawning from late April to the middle of May. Local folk
knowledge of the pla buk is, on the contrary, rich, implying the cultural
significance of this fish.
Pla buk fishing has not a long history. As local legends suggest, it
might be dated back no more than eighty to one hundred years, when a
man from Ban Haad Khrai invented a net to catch this gigantic catfish.
At present, pla buk is caught by a gill net called "mong lai", which has
been modified from the original shorter net called "nam" . It is 225 m
long, about 300 cm high and the mesh size is 30 cm. Gill netting is practised
using powered boats manned by crews of 4-5.
The rise in demand for the delicious flesh of pla buk in local and urban
markets, means that the number of fishermen who engage in pla buk
fishing has increased drastically in number to as many as 70, from four
during the last decade. Despite an effective lottery system to avoid
crowding and conflict among fishermen, overfishing has inevitably led to
a decline in pla buk populations.
Ceremonies and rituals held at the onset of the fishing season have
multiple significances. First, an evil-chasing ritual is prepared by each
group. Second, prior to the first fishing, a good-luck ritual is conducted
by special priests with sacrificed pigs and offerings to the master spirits of
the river and sand bank. Third, the above-mentioned second rituals are
repeated in public on the following day in a gorgeous manner as a
festival event of the local community. This transaction is in line with the
increasing popularity of pla buk fishing and incoming tourists. Fourth,
a ritual to entertain the female spirit of the fishing boat is observed.
The series of rituals is focused on and organized by the pla buk
fishermen's club of the local community. It bears practical functions
not only to manage pla buk fishing but also to realize the cultural construction
of rituals in accordance with an increasing need for local
development and tourism.
Under such circumstances, an artificial insemination project, using
captive pla buk males and females, was started in 1981 as a conservation
goal by the Thai Department of Fisheries, and first success was achieved
in 1983. A demonstration of the release of captured pla buk found in
1996 also suggests the changing condition of the pla buk fishery.
An integrated study of the biological and cultural aspects of pla buk
fishery thus becomes a good example of anthropological inquiries aimed
at understanding contemporary key issues of resources, development,
and conservation. Further follow-up studies are also required to clarify
the relationships between rivers, fish and the riverine people of the
Maekhong river.
北部タイ，チエンコーンにおけるプラー・ブック (Pangasianodon gigas) の民族魚類学的考察
KH_021_2_001-01.pdf
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