Wolf Barb Luciocyprinus striolatus conservation project in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park

In 2025, Association Anoulak and FISHBIO continued their collaboration to conserve the population of the Wolf Barb Luciocyprinus striolatus, in Nakai-Nam Theun National Park, with establishing Fish Conservation Zones (FCZs), and monitor populations of other globally/nationally important species, including Tor ater, Scaphognathops theunensis, and Poropuntius carinatus.

Catch, tag and release programme for Luciocyprinus striolatus

In 2023-2025 (Phase 1), project activities focused on priority areas in the Nam Theun and Nam Noi Rivers for research and conservation actions. In 2026-2028 (Phase 2), the project will expand to include Nam Xot and Nam Mon.

With the financial support of Association Anoulak, FISHBIO conducted two field trips in 2025:

The first field trip took place from April 22 to May 1, 2025:

• The surveys successfully documented Wolf Barb population in both the Nam Theun and Nam Noi River basins.

• Eleven Wolf Barb specimens and one Blue Mahseer (Neolissochilus stracheyi) were captured, tagged, and released.

• Community engagement activities involved stakeholders from four villages, laying a strong foundation for future participatory FCZ commitments.

• The study identified 15 deep pools in the Nam Theun River and 6 in the Nam Noi River as potential FCZ sites.

• Strong local participation and local ecological knowledge provide encouraging indications of the potential effectiveness of species conservation, monitoring, and sustainable fisheries management.

The second field mission took place from 15 to 26 December, 2025: The field trip allowed for the successful transition of the Wolfbarb conservation project from preliminary mapping and species assessments to the establishment of community-led management and the validation of critical life-cycle habitats:

Community Governance & Legal Framework

• Stakeholder engagement: Formal consultations were conducted with 68 participants from two villages in the Nam Theun and Nam Noi Basins to secure community consent and finalise site selections.

• Strategic site selection: Based on habitat quality and adult population density, three sites in the Nam Theun River (Vang Ya Mae, Vang Kuem, and Vang Ya Oi) and one site in the Nam Noi River (Vang Phaloon FCZ at Ban Tern Village) were designated as high-priority locations for Fish Conservation Zones (FCZs).

• Regulatory enforcement: Regulations for the FCZ were drafted with the communities. These are pending official approval from the district authorities (planned in 2026)

Technical Discovery & Biological Integrity

• Spawning habitat identification: A landmark discovery was made at a rocky confluence in the Nam Theun River; the presence of milting males confirms this site as an active spawning ground for the species and likely an essential habitat for juvenile recruitment.

• Population demographics: To date, 34 individual fish have been tagged. An analysis of Length-Weight Relationship (LWR) yielded a growth coefficient of 2.91, confirming that the population maintains a healthy body condition despite environmental pressures.

• Adaptive management: In the Nam Noi River, high interspecific competition from Hampala macrolepidota was recorded. Consequently, the Vang Somphad site was deemed unsuitable for specialized Wolfbarb protection and will instead be managed for local food security.

Three critical deep-pool FCZs and one identified spawning area in the Nam Theun River basin

Vang Phaloon Fish Conservation Zone (FCZ) at Terng Village

Community consultation for FCZ priority site Selection and draft regulations

Sex identification of L. striolatus

Background rationale for this project: Luciocyprinus striolatus (Local names: Pa Khouan-Zai, Pa Kang, Pa Sak) is a species of endangered cyprinid native to parts of Laos and China. The species is believed to be already extinct from China, which make Laos the only country to protect the species. The distribution of the species in Laos remains little known, as well as the threats it faces where the species has been confirmed. There are currently only two locations in the country where the species has been recorded: Nam Pak river, a tributary of the Nam Ou river in Oudomxay Province, northern Laos; and Nam Kading/ Nam Theun river, a tributary of the Mekong river, in Khammouan Province, central Laos. Confirming the confirmation status of the species in Laos is crucial to inform conservation planning for the species.