Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have shared their experiences and the successful implementation of conservation and management techniques for freshwater dolphins and biodiversity at a regional workshop, while urging further cooperation.
The three-day forum, themed “Sharing Experiences and Successful Implementation of Activities on the Conservation and Management of Freshwater Dolphins and Biodiversity”, is taking place in Siem Reap from December 2 to 4.
It features participation of specialists from China, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia. It is organised by the Department of Fisheries Conservation of the Fisheries Administration, with funding support from the China, through the Mekong-Lancang Special Fund.
The objective of the workshop is to collaborate and learn from one another to ensure the sustainability of the success in conserving freshwater dolphins, which are a rare resource in Cambodia, in regional countries, as well as globally.
Has Sareth, ministry secretary of state and chairman of the Commission for the Management and Conservation of Mekong Dolphin Areas and Development of Dolphin Ecotourism, delivered opening remarks at the workshop.
“Cambodia is committed to increasing the number of dolphins in its waters and trying to reduce the mortality rate to the lowest possible level,” he said.
He noted that as a result of these efforts, there were no dolphin deaths recorded in Cambodia in the last year, a proud indicator of the Kingdom’s success in protecting and conserving Mekong dolphins.
He explained that the achievement was the result of close attention from the Royal Government, the ministry and other relevant authorities, as well as WWF, fishing communities and most notably the river guards who have committed their physical and mental strength to protect and conserve the precious dolphins.
Sareth added that although Cambodia has achieved success in protecting the dolphins, the situation remains fragile and requires further cooperation with relevant parties.
Currently, Cambodia has a population of 112 dolphins, including a calf which was spotted on December 1 at Prek Kampi, Kratie province. In 2025, no freshwater dolphin deaths were recorded, according to the ministry.
The workshop attracted about 50 attendees, including Im Rachna and Tim Borak, both undersecretaries of state at the ministry, along with Ung Kimleang, deputy governor of Siem Reap province, Lu Qizhi, director of the Siem Reap consular office of the Chinese embassy, Wang Ding, professor at the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and representatives from China, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia. Also present were representatives from several conservation NGOs, including the WWF.
