"Department of Fisheries" expresses satisfaction "giant freshwater prawns" at Ubolratana Dam, Khon Kaen Province, have become a stable food source, expanding to create jobs and income while enhancing the community's quality of life.
On 5 April 2026, it was reported that the mission to release "giant freshwater prawns" by the Department of Fisheries has revitalized the communities around Ubolratana Dam in Khon Kaen Province, bringing them back to life after fishermen caught large quantities of giant freshwater prawns, earning tens of thousands of baht per night. This underscores the success of the project to increase prawn production in Ubolratana Dam's reservoir, where the Department of Fisheries has integrated cooperation with partners, including government agencies, the private sector, and local organizations, to restore the abundance of giant freshwater prawn resources—an aquatic species with economic value—turning it into a stable food source that leads to job creation, income generation, and sustainable improvement of community livelihoods under the concept Fisheries Connect For Sustainability.
Mrs. Thitiporn Laoprasert, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, revealed that giant freshwater prawns in Ubolratana Dam are an important economic aquatic species in Khon Kaen Province, prized for their good taste and market demand. The Department of Fisheries, through the Khon Kaen Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center, under the Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Division, has continuously produced and released giant freshwater prawn juveniles into Ubolratana Dam and surrounding water bodies since 1981, releasing over 3–5 million prawns annually under the project to increase prawn production in Ubolratana Dam's reservoir. Monitoring and evaluation of utilization have shown an average yield increase of more than 2,000 kilograms per year, valued economically at over 1.5 million baht annually.
In 2025, more than 4 million giant freshwater prawns were released into Ubolratana Dam and about 1 million into the Phong River, resulting in continuous resource recovery. Local fishermen, especially in Ubolratana District, were able to catch many prawns, particularly along the Phong River, reflecting the success of the Department of Fisheries’ mission to produce and release aquatic species aimed at restoring resources and creating tangible jobs and income for communities.
During field visits and interviews with fishermen from 1 to 4 April 2026, it was found that prawns were caught continuously from Ban Huai Sai to Nong Wai Weir, covering approximately 18 kilometers. About 20 fishermen participated, with some catching up to 30 kilograms of prawns per night, generating over 20,000 baht in income. Overall, total catches exceeded 150 kilograms, equating to an economic value of around 100,000 baht.
Mr. Boonmee Thongpho, 73, a representative of the fishing community around Ubolratana Dam, expressed deep gratitude to the Department of Fisheries for the continuous release of giant freshwater prawns, which has allowed them to sustain their livelihoods, earn income, and support their children's education. He said that without the Department’s prawn releases, he was uncertain if they could have such a stable livelihood. Other local fishermen confirmed the increased prawn catches in recent times, leading to higher income and improved living conditions.
Most giant freshwater prawns found in freshwater sources originate from the Department of Fisheries’ breeding programs and are released into natural waters, as the prawns’ larval stage requires brackish water before maturing in freshwater.
Therefore, the current large prawn catches result from the Department of Fisheries’ work alongside partners from government agencies, private sectors, and local organizations to jointly manage resources and foster awareness of sustainable resource use, ensuring long-term sustainable yields.
Furthermore, the Department of Fisheries emphasizes knowledge development and livelihood creation for communities around Ubolratana Dam. In collaboration with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), they established a giant freshwater prawn hatchery as a learning center for aquaculture and to promote livelihoods, aiming to increase prawn production to meet the needs of over 2,000 households around the dam. This effort includes research, innovation, technology application in production, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation of prawn releases to maximize effectiveness.
However, the Department calls on local fishermen and residents to help conserve giant freshwater prawn resources by practicing sustainable fishing methods, avoiding illegal gear, and refraining from catching small juvenile prawns to allow them to grow and increase in value. With cooperation from all sectors, it is believed that Ubolratana Dam will continue to serve as a vital food source, creating jobs, income, and strengthening the community economy sustainably.