In an effort to preserve local fish species and promote sustainable fishing practices, the Svay Chek Fishway has officially opened, offering essential technical solutions to reconnect fisheries habitats.

This new infrastructure is expected to bolster the income of up to 19,000 households in Kampong Chhnang province’s Teuk Phos district while safeguarding over 100 local fish species.

The fishway is the third of its kind funded by the Australian government through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) Mekong-Australia Partnership (MAP). 

Built in collaboration with Charles Sturt University (CSU) and Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration (FiA), it offers an innovative approach to maintaining healthy fish populations and preserving local biodiversity.

At the inauguration ceremony on October 9, Australian ambassador to Cambodia Derek Yip joined representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the FiA, local authorities and residents to celebrate the fishway’s opening. 

The ambassador emphasised the importance of scientific research in driving sustainable economic development.

“The partnership between ACIAR and CSU, alongside local governments, is strengthening capacity and delivering outcomes that will support long-term fisheries management and the economy,” he remarked. “This research helps stakeholders make well-informed decisions for the benefit of local fisheries and water management.”

Tailored to the swimming abilities and water preferences of various local fish species, the new infrastructure is the product of a two-decade research programme focused on fishway design in the Mekong region. 

The fishway enables fish to migrate freely through a flood weir, allowing them to access spawning grounds and food sources while ensuring the irrigation system provides water to nearby rice fields.

ACIAR CEO Wendy Umberger highlighted the project’s far-reaching impacts.

“The Svay Chek Fishway protects fish biodiversity and safeguards the food security and livelihoods of thousands of rural households. It will also serve as a valuable model for future development projects that aim to incorporate fish passage technology,” she said.

Umberger noted that the fishway provides insights for donors, investors and governments, enabling them to assess the costs and benefits of integrating fish passage systems into water infrastructure projects.

In his speech, ministry secretary of state Khun Savoeun underscored the vital role of fish in rural Cambodian communities, particularly in promoting child and maternal health. 

“Fish provide essential micronutrients critical for the healthy development of children and pregnant women. Sustainable practices like fishways are crucial for ensuring food security and supporting healthy communities,” he said.

Built on the Svay Chek River, which originates from Cambodia's highest peak, Oral Mountain, the fishway will benefit nine communes along the river before it flows into Tonle Sap Lake. 

The infrastructure not only supports local ecosystems but also fosters economic sustainability, providing local fishers and farmers with the resources they need to thrive.