Although the fishing has opened, Stung Treng and Kratie provincial authorities in Cambodia have prohibited fishing in 79 protected areas within their borders.
Srey Samvichet, Stung Treng Fisheries Administration Director, said yesterday that within the borders of Stung Treng and Kratie provinces, there are 79 fish conservation areas in which authorities have banned fishing.
“Prohibiting fishing aims to protect the lives of large species of fish that live in protected areas and produce offspring during this time. In early October we found a species of fish named Pakanak that weighed over five kilogrammes, which is a rare and endangered species,” he said.
He said that in these restricted areas, fishermen play an important role in protecting river species and authorities have asked fishermen to behave responsibly.
He added that even if the equipment is for family use, it is still illegal to fish in restricted areas. Authorities from the Fisheries Administration, as well as rangers will confiscate and destroy all illegal fishing equipment.
Choub Phalla, Director of the Upper Mekong River Conservation areas, said that during the 150-day fishing season in 2022, the fisheries administration confiscated 36,940 metres of fishing nets, 6,898 fishing hook nets, and 500 metres of mesh fishing nets.
He added that during the closed fishing season this year, authorities suppressed four cases of electrofishing. Three were convicted and jailed but one escaped.
“So far, Stung Treng provincial authorities have educated 211 fishermen who used illegal gear in conservation areas and 56 fishermen and traders who obtained fish by illegal methods and another eight people who used illegal equipment signed contracts to stop such behaviour.
Mok Ponlok, director of the Kratie Fisheries Administration said yesterday that the fishing season opened on October 1, but authorities in the province will ban fishing in protected areas.
“In Kratie and Stung Treng provinces authorities still have to stop people from using illegal gear and our rangers are continually patrolling the protected areas to make sure fish and dolphin breeding occurs uninterrupted by illegal fishing,” he said.
He added that before some dolphins died from illegal fishing such as by electric shock, fishing nets and other equipment that injures or kills dolphins.
Ponlok said that in Kratie province, there are 62 protected areas with five areas having Dolphin pods.
“The protected areas are for breeding fish and four areas are used to protect dolphins and 24 rangers are protecting these areas to prevent fishing,” Ponlork said.
He thanked authorities and rangers who ceaselessly patrol the Mekong River and prevent people from using illegal fishing equipment within the borders of Stung Treng to Kratie provinces.