Govt's claim of production rises due to aquaculture 'fishy': SRP

Monday, 08 September 2008
Written by Nguon Sovan
The Phnom Penh Post

"We already know that our fishing resources are nearly gone" - SRP MP Yim Sovann

GOVERNMENT claims that the fishing industry has shown steady growth because of aquaculture has drawn criticism from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.

Nao Thuok, director general of the Cambodian Fisheries Administration, speaking last week at a workshop attended by local and provincial officials, said Cambodia's fishing industry output has increased 18 percent year-on-year.

"About 35,000 tonnes of fish, including 5,000 tonnes of non-farmed fish, were caught last year, and that number is expected to reach 40,000 this year because of more reliance on aquaculture practices," he said.

But SRP lawmaker Yim Sovann called the figures "distorted".

"The increased output of fish exists only on paper," he told the Post last week. "In practical terms, fishing resources are getting poorer and poorer due to rampant illegal fishing in collusion with corrupt government officials."

Nao Thuok admitted Cambodia still lags far behind regional neighbours in total tonnage of fish caught annually. Vietnam processes about 2 million tonnes each year. That number is 600,000 in Thailand and 60,000 in Laos.

He said fish provide as much as 75 percent of the protein intake of all Cambodians, who eat about 50 kg individually each year.

With a population of approximately 14 million, Cambodia needs about 700,000 tonnes of fish annually.

"The government is encouraging greater investment in fisheries and aquaculture to ensure the sustainability of the sector," Nao Thuok said.

Despite a growing domestic need, Cambodia exports fish throughout the region, including to Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States.

"Some 20,000 tonnes are exported every year, at a value of about US$40 million," he said.

Reed Aeschliman, director of USAID's governance and democracy office in Cambodia, said aquaculture could contribute to economic growth, adding the organisation currently assists nearly 500 aquaculture farmers.

Yim Sovann said he sees the situation differently.

"We already know that our fishing resources are nearly gone," he said. "Law enforcement and greater transparency are the things that will better develop the [fishing] sector."