Two released Viet boats rob Cambodian fishermen in Treuy Koh

28 Dec 2010
Kampuchea Thmei
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Two Viet fishing boats that were arrested at sea by the cooperation between the Cambodian fisheries department and the Kampot province authority, are involved in the robbery of equipments and diesel fuel from Cambodian fishermen who were fishing in Kampot sea water.

The incident took place past midnight on 25 December 2010, in Kampot sea water.

Neak Seng, the representative of the Treuy Koh fishing community, revealed to The Kampuchea Thmei reporter that after the 2 Viet fishing boats were released by the Kampot authority at 7PM on 25 December, they returned back during that same night to seek revenge against Cambodian fishermen and they used Samurai swords to threaten and rob equipments and diesel fuel from several Cambodian fishermen in Treuy Koh community.

Neak Seng indicated that the Cambodian fishing boats are small and only had very small crew, so they were scared of the larger Viet fishing boats with larger crew members, that was why they let the Viets rob them without any confrontation.

In the morning of 26 December, the victimized Cambodian fishermen reported their complaint to the Treu Koh commune office to seek for a measure to prevent such incident and to seek justice for them.

Regarding the case of the Viet boats robbing Cambodian boats, Sor Sovin, the director of the Kampot province’s fisheries department, told Kampuchea Thmei in the afternoon of 27 December that the Cambodian fishermen made up this story [sic!] because, immediately after he heard the news, he led his force to seek the culprit boats, but he was not able to find any, furthermore, the Cambodian fishermen claimed that prior to the robbery, the Viet boats raked them, but when he looked at the boats, none of them bear any sign of raking. He claimed that in fact, the Cambodian fishermen are finding excuses to make expert like him spend money on fuel to get out and intervene.

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By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer
Original report from Kampong Chhnang Province
01 June 2008

[Editor's note: In the weeks leading into national polls, VOA Khmer will explore a wide number of election issues. The "Election Issues 2008" series will air stories on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a related "Hello VOA" guest on Thursday. This is the second in a two-part series examining the fate of the Tonle Sap.]

Cambodia’s fishing villagers are looking for political parties to serve their lifelong fishing careers.

As the national election approaches, fishermen of Chhok Trou district, Kampong Chhnang province, said they were facing declining conditions, and are looking for change.

“For this general election, I will vote for any political party who provides me certain promises,” said Ky Try, a 31-year-old fisherman, his voice rising. “If [a candidate] wins the election and still ignores the fishing problem, I can vote to drop him from power anytime.”

According to local authorities, 90 percent of eligible villagers in Chhnok Trou have registered to vote. During the election campaign, which will begin in the middle of June, political parties usually make many promises to attract votes.

But many fishermen in Chhnok Trou said they don’t care much about promises; they will keep looking for actions instead.

“I will vote for the party that can fulfill the demands of fishermen, and I will keep looking even after the election,” said 60-year-old Sath Kosal.

In response to villagers’ concerns, the representative of for biggest political party in Chhnok Trou, Long Sokhom of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, claimed to have prepared various strategies to combat illegal fishing in an effort to help the fishermen.

Human Rights Party representative Saing Sarath said he would seek to prevent Vietnamese fishermen from infringing on Tonle Sap fishing.

The ruling Cambodian People’s Party, which has been in power for more than three decades, claimed it would do its best to strengthen measures to help fishermen.

Funcinpec representative Chhem Seng Hak said his party had no policy on fishing.