The Stung Treng Provincial Administration has introduced measures to further strengthen the effective management of dolphin and fish conservation areas.

An announcement by provincial governor Svay Sam Eang, dated January 3, said each town and district administrative joint force shall prepare a plan to strengthen the management of the dolphin and fish protection areas in its jurisdiction.

All town and district administrative joint forces must also work with relevant departments to anchor buoys for the clear demarcation of protected areas, and permanent and non-permanent core areas, indicating that entry is not allowed and fishing strictly prohibited.

In addition, all fishermen will be educated as to the law regarding the protection of dolphins and the prohibition of fishing in conservation areas.

“Rare species of fish have recently suffered losses due to illegal fishing and other factors.

“To ensure the management, care, protection and conservation of important and endangered fish species, I urgently introduce these guidelines for effective implementation,” Sam Eang said in the notice.

He also urged all administrative joint forces to make every effort and use every means towards implementing the guidelines and all subsequent measures to effectively manage and protect dolphin and fish conservation areas.

On January 2, Prime Minister Hun Sen, during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new bridge over the Mekong River in Kratie province, urged the Kratie and Stung Treng provincial authorities to ensure the protection of the Kingdom’s dolphins.

He told the authorities to cooperate with relevant ministries and departments, including partner organisations, to conserve the freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins and other endangered species by strictly prohibiting all types of fishing in protected areas.