The new arrival brings the Kingdom’s Mekong dolphin population to 111. Agriculture ministry
A Mekong dolphin calf was spotted in Kratie province on Sunday May 25.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the newborn was about 2 days old. It was seen swimming in Anlong Kampi, Chroy Banteay village, Chrouy Bantea commune, in Prek Prosop district. A research team from the Fisheries Administration (FiA) and WWF-Cambodia saw the new arrival swimming with a pod of four adults.
The new arrival means the Kingdom has welcomed seven new dolphins this year, 5 in Kratie province and two in Stung Treng province, bringing the total population to 111.
To ensure the survival of the species, Mekong dolphins, the FiA and WWF-Cambodia are working closely with local authorities, communities and partners to strengthen enforcement of fisheries laws and enforce a ban on the use of fishing nets in dolphin habitats. They provide employment options for Mekong River communities and conduct educational outreach programmes, as well as monitoring the dolphin population.
The ministry expressed its gratitude for the work of the 72 river guards in Stung Treng and Kratie provinces and pledged to do its best to support their work. The ministry also thanked its partner organisations, local authorities and the people who participate in maintaining and protecting the Kingdom’s valuable fisheries resources.
In a related event, the National Assembly convened a session to discuss, review and approve a draft fisheries law on May 22.
The law is designed to replace a 2006 fisheries law and aims to regulate effectively conserve and develop the fisheries sector to ensure sustainable food security along with economic and environmental sustainability, as well as protect the rights and interests of fishermen, fishing communities and traders, in accordance with the context of socio-economic development. It will also support the sustainable management and conservation of fishery resources in the regional and international framework and restrict illegal fishing.
The law consists of 15 chapters, 104 articles and 2 annexes.
“After discussing and approving each chapter at a time, the National Assembly approved the entire draft law with 103 votes,” the ministry stated.
