Hosting the Lower Mekong Fish Passage Conference

The Lower Mekong Basin supports the primary protein source for more than 60 million people, yet growing river development is placing increasing pressure on fish populations and aquatic ecosystems. In February 2025, Charles Sturt hosted the three-day Lower Mekong Fish Passage Conference in Siem Reap through the Gulbali Institute’s Inland Fisheries Research Group, bringing together more than 150 regional practitioners and global experts to address these challenges.

Charles Sturt convened technical discussions on fish passage solutions, hydropower impacts, and approaches to gender and social inclusion in river management. Researchers shared evidence from Australian–Lao collaborations demonstrating the effectiveness of low-cost fishways, including pilot sites where more than 170 species have successfully migrated, restoring access to nursery habitats and improving community-level fisheries outcomes.

By facilitating knowledge exchange and showcasing successful, scalable fish passage innovations, this event contributed to protecting freshwater ecosystems and supporting sustainable fisheries in line with global goals for conserving life below water.