Eleven endangered fish were released into their natural habitat in the Tonle Sap Lake on the last full moon of this year, after members of local fishing communities presented them to the authorities to support the conservation of the Mekong River’s aquatic resources.
The release was made through a collaboration between the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute (IFReDI) of the Fisheries Administration, Dai owners and the Wonders of the Mekong project team on Friday, December 5, according to a statement by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Among the fish released was a Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas), weighing 42kg and measuring 150cm — one of the world’s most critically endangered freshwater giants. Alongside this iconic species, 10 striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) were also released, each weighing 10–25kg and measuring 110–150cm in length.
“Today’s special release celebrates the full moon and marks a meaningful moment at the close of the 2025 fiscal year — a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the life of the Mekong,” said the ministry.
They extended their heartfelt thanks to the owners of fishing Dais 2C and 2D, and all other partners for supporting the fish tag and release program, helping safeguard these precious species and return them to their natural habitats.
Two weeks earlies, fishermen presented five endangered species to fisheries officials and partner organisations in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. One of them was a 95kg, 126cm Mekong giant catfish. The gift was described as demonstrating fishing communities’ wider understanding of the importance of contributing to the conservation of natural resources in Cambodia.
