H.E. Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), pointed out that conservation efforts aimed at protecting rare fish and preserving biodiversity have led to an increase in fish production of over 10%.
The announcement was made during MAFF's official visit to the Dai Fishery 15, in the presence of Wang Wenbin, Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, Igor Driesmans, EU ambassador to Cambodia, and representatives of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), yesterday in Kandal province.
Speaking to the press, the Minister said:
“When fishermen catch rare species, they release them. This practice has helped to preserve key species over the years, enhance biodiversity and contribute to an increase of more than 10% in fish populations in 2024 compared with previous years, even though the official data has not yet been finalised.”
This increase does not indicate that fishermen are working harder to catch more fish, but rather reflects the natural migration of more fish to the Dai fishing grounds, following the currents from the Tonle Sap to the Mekong, the minister added.
The FAO representative said: ‘Cambodia is an outstanding example of a country that uses fisheries resources sustainably and efficiently, ensuring food security for its people and creating livelihoods.
“What we are doing here today with the Minister, embassy dignitaries and various agencies demonstrates the global importance of Cambodia's efforts to help feed the world with fish,” he added.
The FAO representative noted that the Kingdom has one of the highest fish consumption rates in the world, with each person consuming more than 50 kilograms per year.
According to MAFF, the purpose of the visit to the Dai 15 fishery was to examine the current situation of freshwater fishing and the various factors affecting the sustainability of the fisheries sub-sector, including climate change, hydrology, anthropogenic studies, overfishing and the interrelationships between these factors.
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