Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Minister tells fisheries officials to develop aquaculture sector

Minister tells fisheries officials to develop aquaculture sector

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Agriculture minister Dith Tina speaks at the FiA’s annual meeting on February 7. AGRICULTURE MINISTRY

Minister tells fisheries officials to develop aquaculture sector

Agriculture minister Dith Tina has advised the Fisheries Administration (FiA) to enhance the management and conservation of fisheries resources, boost aquaculture and processing, incentivise the private sector, support fisheries cooperatives as well as open doors to alternative livelihood options for fishermen that may need them.

Tina made his recommendations at the FiA’s annual meeting held on February 7 to review the work results of 2022 and direction for 2023, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The minister also emphasised the need to ensure food security and product excellence, saying it is necessary for officials to pay closer attention to sanitary and phytosanitary standards and help support the private sector to facilitate exports. It is also necessary for each specialised unit to built trust in the people, he added.

Tina commended the ministry leadership and officials for working hard to achieve the 2022 results according to their roles, responsibilities, work directions and action plans.

He said the tasks were accomplished with the participation of relevant institutions, municipal and provincial administrations, the armed forces, local authorities and all development partners who have provided the necessary cooperation and support for the implementation of the FiA’s action plans to conserve and develop sustainable fisheries resources.

Citing aquaculture statistics, the ministry said there were 330,600 tonnes of fish raised on farms in 2022, accounting for 91.83 per cent of the previous year’s total; 283,500,000 fingerlings were hatched, or 94.5 per cent of the previous year’s; and 391,414 crocodiles were raised, 130.47 per cent of 2021’s numbers.

It said 331 new aquaculture facilities were established with 10,806 members. Eight facilities have been certified for good aquaculture practices.

Cambodian Aquaculturist Association (CCC) president Sok Raden supported Tina’s recommendations to boost the management and conservation of fisheries resources and aquaculture.

“It is good that the new minister has a new policy and new measures to encourage those in the sector. On behalf of the CCC, we are happy because the policy is a step in the right direction. I believe in the positive changes made by the new minister and I have noticed his actions,” said Raden.

Sin Sovannara, head of the Sre Sranok Samaki fisheries cooperative in Stung Treng province, said on February 7 that the management and conservation of fisheries resources in his community remains weak due to a lack of partners and resources.

“The intervention of fisheries officials against illegal fishing is done actively, but their forces were not enough and sometimes they did not come in time because they were busy with other tasks and so management wasn’t comprehensive,” he said.

Sovannara added that local officials found it difficult to instruct or stop some illegal fishermen, who are often newcomers from other districts.

“When the fisheries officials are not around, they [illegal fishermen] continue their activities. And when our community goes to question them, they just insult us,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom