Cambodia Cracks Down on Illegal Fishing, Seizes Hundreds of Meters of Nets

In Kampong Cham province, Cambodia, fisheries officials are intensifying crackdowns on illegal fishing during the high-water season, in collaboration with local police. Notably, hundreds of meters of illegal fishing gear, including 'Lou Sbaimong' nets that catch even juvenile fish despite the breeding season, have been seized and destroyed. According to Ly Srey, Director of the Kampong Cham Provincial Department of Fisheries, following directives from the Provincial Department of Agriculture and the Provincial Governor, fisheries officials are urged to cooperate with local authorities to suppress illegal fishing activities in former fishing grounds, canals, lakes, and along the Mekong River. He stated that some individuals have been secretly setting up illegal equipment such as 'Lou Sbaimong' nets to catch fish of all sizes, disregarding the fact that this is the breeding season, a period that requires the preservation of flooded forests as crucial habitats for fish. The Director of the Kampong Cham Provincial Department of Fisheries further explained that the operation was carried out in cooperation with the authorities of Kang Meas district and the Stau Administrative Police Post. With the facilitation of the Prosecutor General of the Kampong Cham Provincial Court, an operation was conducted to inspect and suppress fishery offenses along the Mekong River in Kang Meas district, resulting in the removal and destruction of illegal fishing gear. The confiscated and destroyed illegal fishing equipment included: - 11 units of 'Lou Sbaimong' nets - 210 meters of 'Lou Sbaimong' nets - 120 stakes In addition, several kilograms of various types of juvenile fish were released into the river. Currently, the Mekong River's water level is receding as usual. Previously, the water level, which reached 12 meters, would flow into lakes and former fishing grounds in districts such as Stung Trang, Kampong Siem, Kang Meas, Koh Sotin, Srey Santhor, and others. Effective and successful suppression of illegal fishing requires the participation of local authorities and law enforcement forces at all levels. Source: Koh Santep Khmer