After seeing an increase in fish stocks due to combined efforts in suppressing illegal fishing, the prime minister has urged all relevant parties to continue this collaboration further — “like a steady drizzle, not just a one-time effort”.
His shared his recommendation and encouragement as he addressed a ceremony marking the 20th National Fish Day on July 1 in Takeo province. The event aimed to promote public awareness and encourage participation in conserving and sustainably developing aquatic resources in order to increase fish stocks, meet daily dietary needs, ensure food security and support people’s livelihoods.
Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the remarkable increase in fish this year, adding that despite that, fish prices have remained relatively stable — ensuring affordability for consumers. He emphasised that this progress was the result of joint efforts to protect and suppress illegal fishing.
“The collective effort — including the participation of relevant officials, the armed forces, especially the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), and the Fisheries Administration — must continue like a steady drizzle, not just a one-time action. This is the way to ensure results. We’ve seen that people are happy. Our lakes and natural wetlands, which the people rely on, must be cared for and this work must carry on,” he stated.
He warned that some citizens and unscrupulous businesspeople have used illegal fishing equipment to catch fish for sale and distribution, which causes irrevocable damage to the Kingdom’s shared resources. He called for all fishing to be done within the law, to ensure that fishery resources can be shared for the collective good.
“Fish are in our rivers and lakes. The benefits are for everyone — not only fishers, but also consumers and market vendors. So if fish stocks increase, our food security — especially from fish protein — can be achieved,” he added.
He continued that this outcome shows Cambodia’s agricultural sector is resilient in the face of climate change and external crises, and can sustain full food security in all circumstances, effectively avoiding food crises — even during the Covid-19 pandemic, natural disasters or geopolitical tensions, whether regional or global.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina also addressed the July 1 event.
He declared that Cambodian agriculture has transformed from a traditional, subsistence-based sector reliant on foreign food aid into a modern, mechanised and technology-driven one.
This transformation not only ensures complete food security year-round, but also generates millions of tonnes of export products and brings in billions of dollars in foreign currency — significantly contributing to the national economy.
“In 2024, Cambodia achieved nearly 470,000 tonnes of freshwater fish catch — an increase of 9.5% compared to 2023 — demonstrating the effectiveness of fisheries management and conservation efforts by the Fisheries Administration, with strong participation from sub-national authorities and relevant institutions in suppressing serious destructive fishing crimes,” he said.
During the ceremony, approximately 1.5 million fish and aquatic animals of 20 species were released into the Tonle Bati.
Every year, around 5 million fish are released into natural water bodies across Cambodia.
