A crackdown on illegal fishing has led to the seizure of at least 200 batteries used to electrocute fish and dozens of illegal specialized nets, including bagnets, seines and dragnets, fisheries department officials said.
Police also arrested six offenders, who were sent to provincial courts, said Nao Thuok, director of the fisheries department.
Some 10,000 baby fish were also confiscated from illegal fishing operations in Kompong Chhnang and released into the Tonle Sap. The fish were being caught for export to Vietnam, said Ing Kim Leang, director of Kompong Chhnang’s fisheries office.
He said six bamboo blockades in the streams were removed and destroyed because they hindered fish migration.
Ing Kim Leang said more baby fish were confiscated last year than this year. Demand for the baby fish, which are bred in Vietnam, has dropped now that the fish are being bred in Vietnam.
Last year authorities confiscated 20,000 baby fish in Kompong Chhnang, he said. “I think this year’s demand of baby fish in Vietnam has dropped,” he said.
Chim Sokhon, director of the Agriculture Department in Kandal province, said Tuesday an estimated 200 batteries had been confiscated, as well. Fisheries officials said illegal activities have declined since they began monitoring the fishing areas over the June 1 to Sept 30 spawning season. In April, fishermen were found using illegal equipment, overfishing, fishing in prohibited areas and using batteries to electrocute fish, officials said.
The illegal activities occurred two months after 500 fisheries officials were recalled from the provinces for retraining on new regulations, new laws and community fishing management, officials said.
