fisheries
Prek Tnoat fishing community in Kampot province’s Toek Chhou district in 2020.

Senator’s Death Clouds Future of $1.5B Kampot Beach Development

A Kampot province port and seaside sand-filling project has gone quiet after the senator leading the project died amid disputes with two marine fishing communities, though the late politician’s assistant says the development has not been abandoned.

Community fishery patrollers drive back to Kampong Kbeung village in a modified boat confiscated from illegal fishers that is now used by the patrol team. An increasing number of illegal fishers are modifying the hulls of their boats so that they can outpace the community patrol boats. (Andy Ball)

On Patrol, a Mekong Village Tackles Electric Fishing Scourge

Volunteer community patrollers along the Mekong aim to stop a rise in illegal electric fishing, which harms river ecosystems and livelihoods that rely on protected fisheries. But the sale of outlawed gear allows the dangerous practice to continue.

A man rows a boat on January 15, 2021 near the area where fisherman Toem Vi was allegedly beaten by fisheries officers in Takeo province’s Angkor Borey district. (Heng Vichet/VOD)

Fisherman Dies Following Alleged Beating by Fisheries Officers

A Takeo fisherman who suffered severe head injuries after allegedly being beaten by fisheries officers died at his family home on Thursday, after almost two weeks lying on a wooden bed unable to speak and his family unable to afford treatment.

Toem Vi is surrounded by family members outside his house in Takeo province’s Angkor Borey district on January 15, 2021. (Heng Vichet/VOD)

Fisherman Beaten Almost to Death by Fisheries Officers, Witnesses Say

“The engine died. There were three of us on the boat, including Toem Vi, but they didn’t ask questions. They just started swinging sticks,” recounted Saroeun. Vi lay on a bamboo platform set outside his home, blood congealed around an open head wound.

Fishers cast nets in Kandal province, on January 17, 2019 (Fisheries Administration)

EU Funds GPS Tracking of Cambodian Fishers

Agriculture Minister Veng Sokhon said every fishing boat in the country will be tracked with E.U.-funded GPS beacons by 2023 in order to crack down on illegal fishing.