(Svay Rieng): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said Cambodia's fish stocks have increased following two years of intensified action against illegal fishing, including operations supported by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
The premier spoke on Wednesday (Jul. 1) during the National Fish Day celebration in Svay Rieng Province.
"Over the past two years, I ordered the army to support the Fisheries Administration and other authorities because of the large area that must be monitored and the increase in illegal fishing activities," he said. "Offenders have been using increasingly sophisticated equipment, particularly electric fishing devices and illegal nets. Some individuals have even incited hundreds of residents to engage in electric fishing. We must identify and arrest those behind the incitement."
He said stronger enforcement and conservation efforts have produced tangible results.
"Over the past two years, fish stocks have increased as a result of conservation and enforcement," he said. "The only issue now is that fish prices have fallen. But when fish become scarce, everyone suffers. Fishing communities cannot catch enough fish, and consumers have to pay higher prices. It is better to have abundant fish, even if prices are lower, so everyone benefits."
He added that the nationwide campaign against illegal fishing has been instrumental in restoring fish stocks. The involvement of the armed forces has strengthened efforts to curb the use of prohibited fishing gear, fishing in protected areas and overfishing, underscoring the government's commitment to enforcing fisheries laws and ensuring the sustainable management of Cambodia's aquatic resources.
According to the Fisheries Administration, authorities suppressed more than 1,000 illegal fishing cases during the first six months of 2026, fewer than in the same period last year. Officials attributed the decline to coordinated enforcement by fisheries officers, local authorities and military police, as well as expanded public awareness campaigns on fisheries laws, legal fishing zones and permitted fishing gear.
=FRESH NEWS
