Kampong Cham Fisheries Officials Release Over 107kg of Juvenile Fish After Cracking Down on Illegal Fishing

In Kampong Cham province, Cambodia, the Fisheries Administration has conducted an operation to crack down on illegal fishing, releasing over 107 kilograms of various juvenile fish back into natural lakes. Numerous illegal fishing gears were also dismantled and destroyed. Fisheries Administration officials from Kampong Cham province collaborated with authorities from Kang Meas, Cheung Prey, and Prey Chhor districts to conduct an inspection and crackdown operation on three cases of illegal fishing within the jurisdiction of Kang Meas district on September 9th. According to Mr. Ly Srey, Director of the Fisheries Administration of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries of Kampong Cham province, the inspection and crackdown on the three cases above were coordinated by the prosecutor of the Kampong Cham Provincial Court. Simultaneously, officials dismantled and destroyed illegal fishing gear. Specifically, at the first location behind Wat Rai Paey in Rai Paey commune, Kang Meas district, eight scoop nets, 415 meters of barrier nets, and 145 stakes were seized, and 25 kilograms of juvenile fish were released. At the second location in Boeung Chroy lake, Sothip commune, Cheung Prey district, twelve scoop nets, 550 meters of barrier nets, and 195 stakes were seized, and 50 kilograms of juvenile fish were released. At the third location at Wat Kampong Siem, Samrong commune, Prey Chhor district, thirteen scoop nets, 580 meters of barrier nets, and 210 stakes were seized, and 32 kilograms of juvenile fish were released. Furthermore, the Kampong Cham Fisheries Administration will continue to inspect and crack down on illegal activities in rivers, lakes, and canals within the province, and will also disseminate information to fishermen to cease using illegal fishing gear. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local