Fishermen haul an impressive catch at the beginning of the 2024-2025 fishing season. Tonle Sap Authority
Fishermen have reported a considerable increase in fish yields compared to last year, though officials have yet to formally confirm the promising harvest momentum.
Prime Minister Hun Manet visited Tonle Sap fisheries in Kandal province on December 8 to mark the start of the fishing season. He was joined by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina and Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Thor Chetha during the inspection.
According to the prime minister’s social media, he met with fishermen in Kandal’s Ponhea Leu district to observe their activities.
"The fishermen reported that this year’s fish harvest has seen a significant increase compared to last year’s yields," a post on his Facebook page read.
The agriculture ministry’s Fisheries Administration (FiA) announced on December 6 that the 2024-2025 fishing season had officially begun. It noted that migrating fish have been observed moving from the Tonle Sap, streams and canals into the Mekong and Bassac rivers.
"This migration will benefit fishermen, especially those catching fish along the Tonle Sap in Kandal province and Phnom Penh, from December 8-13, 2024, provided the weather remains clear without heavy rains or storms," the administration stated.
The public has been encouraged to take advantage of the peak fishing period to purchase fish for making prahok, fish sauce and fermented or dried fish."
Fishermen reported that current yields were double those of previous years, though official figures are still pending.
"It’s hard to conclude without final data, but early indications suggest a twofold increase. The abundance of fish is evident, with excess catch often discarded. We are confident the annual harvest will surpass last year’s results,” FiA director Pum Sotha commented on December 9.
He attributed the surge in yields to stricter enforcement of fisheries laws, improved collaboration between national and local authorities and active public cooperation.
He noted joint efforts by the FiA and the National Police to crack down on the use and sale of illegal electric fishing equipment, adding that some users had voluntarily surrendered their gear.
"The increase in fish is due to the efforts of leaders, the general public and the active participation of professional officers," he said.
On December 7, the Tonle Sap Authority reported impressive catches in designated fishing lines. Operators in Line 14 harvested approximately one tonne of fish in 30 minutes, while those in Line 15 caught one to two tonnes in 45 minutes.
The authority emphasised that fish harvest levels are closely tied to water levels, weather conditions and rigorous enforcement of fisheries laws. It stressed that preventing illegal fishing remains critical to maintaining fish stocks.
During the 2022-2023 fishing season, Phnom Penh and Kandal province recorded a total harvest of 1,481 tonnes, a 40 per cent increase compared to the 890 tonnes reported in the 2021-2022 season. The ministry credited this rise to enhanced law enforcement and better resource management in the Tonle Sap region.
