FREE FLOWING

In this column Jules comments on the value of rivers beyond playgrounds and wild places. We sometimes forget that many people around the world depend on rivers for sustenance, commerce and culture.

By Jules Domine

RIVERS MEAN LIFE For centuries people have built their lives around rivers and oceans. These waters nourish communities, fuel economies, connect people and hold cultural significance for many tribes and nations. We often focus on the environmental aspects of rivers, but in places like Asia, Africa or South America, fishing is the only way some populations are able to eat every day. About 94% of all freshwater fisheries occur in developing countries. Fish provide food and livelihood for millions of the world’s poorest people, and also contributes to their overall economic well-being by means of export commodity trade, tourism and recreation. In Thailand’s Mekong River basin alone, some 55.3 million people depend on freshwater fish for nutrition and livelihoods, with an estimated average fish consumption of 56.6 kg a year per person. It…

You're reading a preview of

Kayak Session (Digital) - 1 Issue, Fall 2016

DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.