Fishermen in target areas in the capital and surrounding Kandal province will reel in massive hauls from December 20-26 if there are no unforeseen showers or other adverse weather conditions, according to Eng Chea San, the director-general of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Fisheries Administration.
In a press release dated December 15, Cheasan called on the Kingdom’s makers of prahok, smoked fish and pha’ak – another fermented fish product – to quickly make their purchases during this lunar cycle in a timely manner to ensure supply for the year.
Kandal provincial Fisheries Administration director Heng Sophearith told The Post on December 20 that in parts of the province’s northern Ponhea Leu district, fairly large catches of 250-300kg were logged in single castings of fish net nearly every hour.
“Having gone to check out the situation of the fish recently, we expect more plentiful catches from December 20-26.
“But the price of prahok might be more expensive than before,” he warned, adding that makers of the fermented paste were reluctant to fork over the 3,000 riel ($0.75) per kg demanded by on-site catchers.
Phnom Penh municipal Fisheries Administration director Ngin Dy told The Post that fishermen had been netting 150-200kg catches of fish at 10 locations along the Tonle Sap River in the capital nearly every hour.
“This augurs well that the prahok season will arrive early next week,” he said.
He called on municipal authorities to ensure the safety of people who will come in from far-away provinces at the season’s open and provide them with temporary abodes.
