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Is It Safe To Swim In The Mekong River?

Asked by: Johan Schiller
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Despite concerns about competiting in the Mekong’s murky waters, organizers were keen to point out that while there is always a slight risk associated with swimming in rivers, the cloudy waters of the Mekong are a result of fine sediment floating in the water, rather than high levels of pollution.

What is the biggest fish in the Mekong River?

The Mekong giant catfish is the largest freshwater fish, a species endemic to the Mekong River that migrates huge distances to spawn.

Are there fish in the Mekong River?

With over 1,300 species of fish, the Mekong River is the world’s most productive inland fishery. Providing livelihoods to 60 million people, this fishery accounts for up to 25% of the global inland catch, providing up to 80% of all animal protein in to the people of the Mekong River basin.

What are the risks to the Mekong River?

Two main risks include the obstruction of the estimated 600 migratory fish species that swim to their spawning ground and the trapping of sediment by dams upstream that prohibits the replenishment of the delta’s nutrients.

Why is the Mekong River Dirty?

Or you could stumble upon something completely unknown: between 1997 and 2014, over 2,000 new species were discovered in the Lower Mekong Basin. But this critical ecosystem is under immense strain from climate change, toxic farm runoff and scientists suspect, a rising tide of plastic pollution.

Is Mekong River Deep?

The depth of the Mekong River can vary from place to place. Some deep pools located throughout the Mekong River can be up to 90 meters deep (almost…

Are there alligators in the Mekong Delta?

There are no alligators in Vietnam.

Is the Mekong river polluted?

The Mekong is one of the most polluted rivers in the world, transporting an estimated 40 thousand tonnes of plastic into the world’s oceans each year. … Understanding how plastic flows along the Mekong into the ocean is key to reducing its impact.

What lives in the Mekong River?

Species

  • Saola.
  • Irrawaddy Dolphin.
  • Asian Elephant.
  • Saola.
  • Irrawaddy Dolphin.
  • Asian Elephant.

Are sharks catfish?

But they are not. The mighty sharks have a family tree that goes back 350 million years. They are the oldest group of living fishes and the bulky 50 foot whale shark is the largest fish in the sea. They are related to the bat winged ray fishes and their small cousins are the dogfishes.

What is the biggest bluegill ever caught?

The Biggest Bluegill in the World

The world record bluegill recorded by IGFA or the International Gamefish Association was caught in 1950 at Ketona Lake, Alabama. This bluegill weighed in at a whopping 4 pounds 12 ounces and came in at 15 inches long with an astounding girth of 18-¼ inches.

Whats the biggest catfish ever caught?

The Mekong giant catfish is the official freshwater heavyweight champion of the world. According to the Guinness Book of Records, a nine-foot-long individual caught in northern Thailand in 2005 weighted an astounding 646 pounds, making it the largest exclusively freshwater fish ever recorded.

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Why is the Mekong River called the mother of all rivers?

The Mekong River is called the “mother of waters” because it is such a tremendous resource for such a large number of people.

Is the Mekong River clean?

The Mekong is a trans-boundary river that runs through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and finally Vietnam before discharging into sea. … However, indiscriminately disposed waste and sewage discharge along the river’s length has turned the Mekong into one of the world’s ten most polluted rivers.

Is it safe to swim in Vietnam rivers?

There are plenty of great places to swim inland, although many rivers are quite polluted by the time they’ve reached a decent size. There are no dangerous parasites in still waters (watch out for leeches, though) and lakes and reservoirs abound. …

Why are the rivers in Asia turning black?

Rivers in Asia turn black when polluted with dyes from garment manufacturing. Polluted water is killing people who live along the black rivers, turning the shallow wells many residents rely on into poisonous pits. … Garment manufacturing contributes 20% of the world’s water pollution.

Which river is most polluted in the world?

  • Citarum River, Indonesia – The Citarum River is known as the most polluted river in the world and is located in West Java, Indonesia.
  • Ganges River, India – The Ganges River is considered the most sacred river in India by the Hindus.

What is the Mekong River famous for?

In total, more than 60 million people depend on the Mekong for most facets of their daily lives. The river supports one of the most diverse fisheries in the world and is known for hosting various species of large fish; the biggest include the giant river carp, freshwater stingray, Siamese giant carp, and giant catfish.

Are there wild crocodiles in Vietnam?

There are two species of crocodile that can be found throughout Vietnam: the Siamese crocodile and the saltwater crocodile. However, due to overhunting and habitat destruction, both species are rarely found in the wild in Vietnam. … As the name suggests, these crocodiles inhabit salty, primarily brackish, waters.

What predators are in Vietnam?

These are broadly: Indian elephants, bears (black bear and honey bear), Indochinese tigers and Indochinese leopards as well as smaller animals like monkeys (such as snub-nosed monkey), bats, flying squirrels, turtles and otters.

Do you get crocodiles in Cambodia?

The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is a medium-sized freshwater crocodile native to Indonesia (Borneo and possibly Java), Brunei, East Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The species is critically endangered and already extirpated from many regions.

What is the deepest part of the Mekong River?

The Navel of Mekong is considered the deepest point of this Mother River. It goes to 196 meters deep during the rainy season while the dry season goes down to 100 meters.

Why is the Mekong Delta important?

The Mekong Delta is also Vietnam’s most important fishing region. It has almost half of Vietnam’s capacity of offshore fishing vessels (mostly in Kien Gian with almost 1/4, Bến Tre, Cà Mau, Tiền Giang, Bạc Liêu).

Why is the Mekong River important to Laos?

The Mekong River connects China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam physically and economically. The river is a lifeline for the entire basin, sustaining economies and livelihoods across the entire region.

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