I started lift-net fishing when I was a child.

My parents did this,

and I followed in their footsteps.

As long as I can remember,

nearly 50 years,

we have been using large Yo Yak like this.

I am almost 60 now.

It feels relaxing and fun.

Yo Yak is easy to lift because of gravity,

so we do not get tired.

When building a Yo Yak, it must be done carefully.

In the past, the canal was full of fish.

But in the past couple of years,

there have been very few.

I do not know where they have gone.

We call this project “Searching for Luk Bre.”

It covers the fish’s life cycle,

their migration patterns,

traditional fishing methods,

and processing methods.

These fish shelters provide habitat

and nursery grounds for juvenile fish

and aquatic life.

Fish shelters in the conservation zone

are built mainly by local volunteer fishers.

Today, we have 35 volunteer fishers

working with the team.

The study clearly shows that fish density has truly decreased.

For example, GIS mapping shows fish density clearly

with numbers, diagrams, and graphs.

I hope this research encourages government agencies

to pay attention to managing the lake area.

These issues are beyond the capacity

of local communities to manage alone.

If the fish disappear, tourism disappears,

income disappears, and people leave.

Regarding the conservation area,

we see it as a small activity.

We used to have more than 200 Yo Yak structures.

Now, only around 30 remain.

When fish are plentiful you can earn 4,000 to 5,000 baht a day.

Now we get nothing.

We want to keep doing it,

but there are no fish to lift.

So why throw money away?

Building a Yo Yak costs a lot.

My child also lifted Yo Yak

like this since childhood.

But after finishing school, it was better to find a job.

Living in Bangkok allows them

to earn and build a house

and a better life.

Truly, I want them to return

so the family can be together.

If we want more people to use Yo Yak again,

the water must be good

and fish must return.