Eighteen fisheries administration units and fishing communities have been recognised by the CAPFISH-Capture programme with awards for their outstanding contributions to improving inland fisheries resources through their active participation in conservation efforts over the past five years.

The awards were presented on April 29, during an Earth Day event held under the theme “Sustainable Fisheries Resource Management”.

The forum was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and with support from the EU. It aimed to showcase the FAO's technical assistance and the results of programme implementation by the Fisheries Administration, its sub-national offices and community-based partners.

Agriculture minister Dith Tina, speaking at the forum's opening ceremony, said the awards reflect collective efforts by fishing communities and relevant officials. He added that they also serve to encourage ongoing collaboration in fisheries conservation.

“We want to encourage everyone to continue working together. There is still much to be done, and strengthening laws is essential, starting with evidence-based legislation,” he said.

The awardees included the provincial fisheries administration offices that effectively implemented the SMART programme to combat and prevent fisheries crimes, fishing communities that have advanced gender equality and model communities that promote sustainable local economic activities.

(Left to right) Igor Driesmans, EU ambassador, Dith Tina, agriculture minister, and FAO representative in Cambodia Rebekah Bell attend the ceremony. Agriculture ministry/FAO

Other recipients included fisheries inspectors and provincial fishery administrations, for their achievements in implementing fire prevention and management in flooded forests around the Tonle Sap, conserving fish spawning and breeding zones along the Mekong River, and enforcing fisheries laws effectively in the Chaktomuk area.

One of the communities recognised was the Boeung Krabet fishing community in Tbong Khmum province, which spans over 3,000 hectares and includes more than 400 families. Touch Im, head of the community committee, said the award recognised their more than 20 years of struggle to protect fisheries resources and combat illegal fishing.

“We’re very happy to have received this award and will keep working hard,” he said.

“We've been fighting this battle for over 20 years, cracking down on illegal activities to allow fish to breed and improve local livelihoods. Today, those crimes are mostly eliminated,” he added.

He noted that illegal fishing activities have fallen by about 80 per cent. These included the use of illegal nets, electrofishing devices and encroachment on community forest land.

Tina explained that the ministry chose this year’s Earth Day theme to highlight the crucial role fisheries play in Cambodia’s agricultural sector and food security.

“Earth Day is not just symbolic — it reflects everything that nature gives us and our commitment to protecting the planet, our shared home, for current and future generations, for both humanity and biodiversity,” he said.

“We need to make use of these resources to nourish our people, but at the same time we must preserve them so they continue to sustain us,” he added.

He noted that Cambodia’s fisheries law has been in effect for over 20 years, and the ministry is currently reviewing and amending sections of it to create an updated law that balances conservation with development.

High-level officials learn about the important work being done by the offices and communities which were recognised during the ceremony. Agriculture ministry/FAO

“The law is being carefully considered,” he said.

“We’re incorporating past experiences and existing data to create a modern, relevant legal framework,” he added.

The government has already reviewed and discussed the draft law and submitted it to the National Assembly for approval.

The minister also stressed that law enforcement must continue to strictly uphold the law. However, he added, it’s not just about the law — the ministry is also working to improve community livelihoods alongside conservation.

He said participation in government projects and programmes has helped raise public awareness, reduce illegal fishing and increase community involvement in protecting fisheries resources.

Cambodia continues to demonstrate its commitment to protecting ecosystems and strengthening natural resource management through the EU-funded CAPFISH-Capture programme, which is implemented by the Fisheries Administration (FiA) with technical support from FAO.

“With the EU’s support and FAO’s technical guidance, we are driving long-term transformation that benefits our people and preserves our natural resources,” added Tina.

During the event, Igor Driesmans, EU ambassador to Cambodia, emphasised the importance of broad-based partnerships at both the local level and institutionally.

“Today, under the EU-funded CAPFISH-Capture programme, we reaffirm our commitment to biodiversity and sustainable inland fisheries in Cambodia,” he said, adding that by supporting youth researchers and advancing community-driven solutions, they empower communities and strengthen institutions.

“Let this collaboration inspire continued innovation in conservation, governance and inclusive growth,” continued.

FAO representative in Cambodia Rebekah Bell, underscored the power of collective action, saying that inland fisheries are vital not only for Cambodia but for the world.

“By uniting government, communities and partners, we are building resilient ecosystems, stronger food systems, and better opportunities for all,” she said, adding that the CAPFISH-Capture programme “shows what’s possible when leadership, science and local action come together — advancing better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, while ensuring no one is ‘left behind’.”

Cambodia has 516 fishing communities nationwide, with 459 of them formally registered to date, according to the ministry.

Poum Sotha, delegate of the Royal Government in charge of the directorate general of the FiA, noted that with the support of the EU and FAO, the FiA has introduced innovative tools, improved enforcement and built the capacity of local actors. These efforts are essential to protecting fisheries and ensuring that communities are empowered as key partners.

According to a joint press release, the programme also contributes to habitat protection and ecosystem restoration. It has supported the operationalisation of flooded forest management plans, forest fire-fighting mechanisms and the delivery of training on tree nurseries and restoration techniques across six provinces.

Over 1,000 demarcation poles have been installed around the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve to indicate boundaries for vital fish habitats, complemented by improvements to fisheries law enforcement.

Beyond protection of aquatic habitats and environmental restoration, the programme is empowering communities to take the lead in sustainable resource governance. Since 2021, 150 Community Fisheries (CFis) and 100 Community Fish Refuges (CFRs) have received annual funding of $1,000 each to support conservation efforts and combat illegal fishing.

Guidelines have been developed to ensure transparency and effective fund administration, and more than 574 participants from 250 communities have benefited from training-of-trainer workshops, followed by field coaching in eight provinces.

“These efforts are building local ownership and ensuring that community voices are central to fisheries management,” it stated.