Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Illegal fishing arrests down from last year

Illegal fishing arrests down from last year

Authorities burn a pile of fishing nets in Kandal province earlier this week after they were seized for illegal use. Photo supplied
Authorities burn a pile of fishing nets in Kandal province earlier this week after they were seized for illegal use. Photo supplied

Illegal fishing arrests down from last year

Cambodian authorities have caught fewer illegal fishermen so far this year compared to 2015, which fishery officials ascribed to a combination of delayed rains and heightened law-abiding.

Hong Hy, director of the administration and legislation department of the Fisheries Administration, said the authorities recorded 2,541 cases of illegal fishing across the Kingdom between January and September this year, yet made only 118 arrests.

“From the 118 suspects, 56 people were sentenced to between one month and three years in prison,” he said, adding that the courts had released the rest on bail. “The Fisheries Administration released 71.42 tonnes of small fish, seized in the crime crackdown, back to the river,” he said. “And we sent 166.6 million riel [$40,663] obtained from fines into the state’s budget.”

More than 270 electro-fishing devices were confiscated, while more than 800,000 metres of illegal fishing nets were burned.

The figures show there were 203 fewer cases and six fewer arrests compared to the same period last year. They also reveal the vast majority of perpetrators managed to evade police.

“The decline was caused by regular crackdowns, the slower process of the level of water rising . . . compared to last year and the fishermen understanding more about law, especially because the fines frighten them into not committing the crime again,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • 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,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.