Khmer Times –
National Fish Day was marked yesterday in Siem Reap province, where more than one million fish were released into the river which forms the moat of Angkor Wat temple.
Government officials and conservation experts applauded developments in fisheries sector and called for greater conservation at the event, the 16th of its kind.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Veng Sakhon applauded the progress of fisheries conservation as yields of fish caught in natural lakes, rivers and the sea had increased.
This was thanks to contributions by farmers and officials in cracking down on illegal fishing, he said.
“This event is to inspire people to understand the importance of fish resources and conservation of local fish species, particularly locally extinct species as well as conserving biodiversity to ensure sustainable resources for supporting people’s living, ensuring food security, and eliminating poverty,” Mr Sakhon said.
To strengthen fisheries, the government encouraged communities to fish sustainably, eliminate illegal fishing and supply local markets by expanding fish farming, he added.
“We will continue these efforts,” Mr Sakhon said. “We have to develop aquaculture in fresh water, at sea, in ponds and in rice fields.”
Zeb Hogan, project leader of Wonders of the Mekong Project, said the event was a chance for the government to call out to all fishermen to work together with the fisheries administration on fish conservation.