People transport baskets of fish during the opening of the prahok season in Kandal province’s Punhealeu district. Hong Menea
The Fisheries Administration (FiA) has announced the beginning of a bountiful prahok season from December 19-25. The yield of commercial stationary trawl fishery, known locally as “dai”, is expected to be abundant along the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh and neighbouring Kandal province.
The announcement stated that the rich fish stocks were due to their migration from various lakes, streams and creeks into the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers. However, the plentitude is contingent upon clear skies and the absence of rain or rainstorms.
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The FiA, which operates under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, has urged those planning to make prahok – a ubiquitous pungent-smelling fermented fish paste used in a wide variety of local dishes – smoked fish or fish sauce for consumption to purchase fish at the specified dates and locations. It has called upon local and relevant authorities to facilitate citizens’ travel, accommodation and transportation of fish during the period of abundance.
Heng Sophearith, director of the FiA’s Kandal provincial cantonment, noted that on December 18, the fish had already started their migration. He said the catches were small, ranging between 100 to 200kg per batch, and priced affordably at about 900 riel ($0.22) per kg.
He mentioned that these small fish are primarily used as feed in aquaculture, as they are unsuitable for making prahok.
He added that from December 19, the fish would likely be more suitable for prahok, pha’ak (fermented-fish paste containing sticky rice) or fish sauce production. Rich locations in the province can be found in dais along 24 fishing trails in Kandal province’s Ponhea Leu district. He encouraged those interested in buying fish for prahok to visit these areas.
“Today’s fish are not plentiful, which signifies the season is just beginning. A catch of 100 or 200kg at a time isn’t considered [much], but this is expected to increase from [December 19],” he said.
According to Sophearith, the profusion of fish will continue until December 25, coinciding with the 13th day of the waxing moon. The fish will then migrate up the Mekong River to Kandal’s Muk Kampoul and Khsach Kandal districts and the provinces of Kampong Cham, Kratie and Stung Treng.
Ngin Dy, director of the FiA’s Phnom Penh cantonment, reported that there are 15 fishing lane dais in the capital.
He said people can purchase rich prahok fish at kilometre marker 9 in Russey Keo district’s Chrang Chamres commune and can also hire workers there to process the purchases by the river.
Dy noted that the fish have begun to increase in numbers, with catches of 100 to 150kg per trail, mainly consisting of riel fish (Henicorhynchus entmema), which are suitable for prahok.
“There are very few Paralaubucariveroi [Rivero’s Asiatic Minnow], most of them are riel fish, ideal for making prahok. [The numbers] have just started to rise, as observed at 9am [on December 19]. The amount is expected to increase the following day,” he said.
Dy mentioned that on December 18, the first day of the season in Chrang Chamres commune, prices were a bit high, ranging from 1,800 to over 2,000 riel per kg ($0.44-$0.49). However, he emphasised that fish prices fluctuate depending on their availability.
Prahok has long captivated enthusiasts of unique cuisine. However, its sometimes overpowering odour can be challenging for those with a sensitive sense of smell.
