The relationship between fishing, livelihood diversification
and poverty was investigated in the lower
Mekong basin, in Laos, where fishing forms an important,
but usually secondary part of rural livelihoods. Results from
a household survey show that participation in fishing is
common and positively associated with higher occupational
diversity and more agricultural activities. This is likely due
to the low opportunity costs associated with many forms of
fishing and factors such as tradition, enjoyment of fishing,
underutilised labour and low capital requirements. Alternative
livelihoods within the rural setting are therefore unlikely to
cause fishers to leave the fishery, but instead strengthen the
livelihood portfolio as a supplementary activity. Fishing is not
an activity only for the very poorest households, but is undertaken
by all wealth groups. However, fishing forms a greater
proportion of income, employment and food security for the
poor and is important in households with poor quality farm
land