Closure of Illegal Fishing Lots Boosts Catch

An official with the Fisheries Administration predicted yesterday that the annual fish catch would increase this year by about 20 percent over last year, saying that recent efforts to reduce illegal fishing practices around the Tonle Sap lake had contributed to the jump. Nao Thouk, director of the Fisheries Administration, said that according to estimates from his administration, the fish catch could increase from 535,000 tons to 635,000 tons compared to 2010. Mr Thuok credited the closure of 35 private fishing lots around Tonle Sap lake and a ban on illegal fish traps in the lake as major causes of the expected increase in fish. The new policies were aided by the release of 137 tons of female fish into waterways around the lake and the year’s historic floods, he added. “[The flood] happened early, in the beginning of the season, which allowed the fish to breed,” he said. The floods have been bad for the people but good for the fish.” Minh Bunly, Tonle Sap program coordinator at the Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT), said his organization had noted some increases that far outstripped government estimates. Mr Bunly said fishermen have reported catching 20 to 30 kg of fish per day this year, up from 4 to 7 kg a day last year. The bumper catch has slashed national fish prices, in some cases by as much as half. Snakefish, Mr Bunly said, which normally costs between 7,000 and 8,000 riel per kg, or $1.75 to $2, has declined to 3,000 or 4,000 riel. Keo Ratha, a fisherwoman and deputy chief of the Anlung Raing Fish community in Pursat province’s Krakor district, said she strongly supports the crackdown that has boosted the year’s catch. “When the Tonle Sap Authority got involved in the crackdown on illegal fishing, it was highly effective, Ms Ratha said. “We support the government in taking this measure and hope they continue to do it. The fishermen are very happy with the big catch.”