The Koh Kong Provincial Administration has informed all fishermen to end fishing for mackerel in the Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary from December 1 to March 31.

According to its December 5 notice, the fishing of mackerel is prohibited in Peam Krasop commune of Mondul Seima district and in Koh Kapi commune of Koh Kong district.

“All fishermen must participate in contributing to the sustainable management of fish stocks in accordance with national fisheries policies and ensure the better ecosystem of the mackerel sanctuary,” it said.

Failure to comply with the notice would result in legal consequences, it warned.

Provincial administration spokesman Sok Sothy said the ban would last for the length of the breeding and spawning season.

“In order to contribute to the conservation and protection of fisheries resources in the future, all fishermen must temporarily suspend this type of fishing,” he said.

Sothy expressed his hopes that all people who were engaged in fishing for mackerel will help contribute to the conservation and protection of marine fisheries resources.

According to a January 6 report by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in 2021 the marine fisheries catch was 125,000 tonnes, equivalent to 96.15 per cent of the planned 130,000 tonnes. This was a 2,300 tonne increase on 2020.