Fish catch for making prahokWednesday, 08 October 2008
Written by Chhay Channyda
The Phnom Penh Post
SOARING food and fuel prices are eating away at the always-slim profit margins of Cambodia's fishermen, prompting fishing communities across the Kingdom to address the issue at a workshop Tuesday.
More than 200 fishing communities along the Mekong River, the Tonle Sap and coastal areas were represented at the two-day workshop, organised by the nongovernmental organisation Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT).
Catches have declined to about 5kg or less per day, which is not enough to support a family, Oum Meng, a representative from Kampong Thom province, told the Post.
He said the price of goods has risen sharply but the prices fishermen are getting for their hauls are not increasing commensurately. He added that high petrol prices were making it harder for fishermen to earn a living.
"The price of gasoline should be reduced to 3,800 riels or 4,000 riels," he said, adding that as the price of gas globally had dropped, the price at the pump in Cambodia should fall.
Ly Vuthy, chief of the community fishery development office at the Fishery Administration, acknowledged the concerns of the nation's fishing communities.
"It is a problem to be addressed," he said, adding the government is looking into the case and will act soon.
More than 200 fishing communities along the Mekong River, the Tonle Sap and coastal areas were represented at the two-day workshop, organised by the nongovernmental organisation Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT).
Catches have declined to about 5kg or less per day, which is not enough to support a family, Oum Meng, a representative from Kampong Thom province, told the Post.
He said the price of goods has risen sharply but the prices fishermen are getting for their hauls are not increasing commensurately. He added that high petrol prices were making it harder for fishermen to earn a living.
"The price of gasoline should be reduced to 3,800 riels or 4,000 riels," he said, adding that as the price of gas globally had dropped, the price at the pump in Cambodia should fall.
Ly Vuthy, chief of the community fishery development office at the Fishery Administration, acknowledged the concerns of the nation's fishing communities.
"It is a problem to be addressed," he said, adding the government is looking into the case and will act soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment