The Fisheries Administration under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will open the 2021-2022 freshwater fishing season throughout Cambodia over the next month, with some provinces slated to open their fishing from October 1 to May 31 and others from November 1 to June 30.
According to a notice issued in late September and seen by The Post on October 3, the freshwater fishing season is scheduled from October 1 this year to May 31 next year for the provinces of Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Kratie, Tbong Khmum, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom and the parts of Phnom Penh and Kandal provinces located north of the Chaktomuk River.
Stung Treng province has a slightly shorter season running from October 1 to April 30, 2022.
For the provinces of Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Kampong Speu and the parts of Phnom Penh and Kandal, the fishing season goes from November 1 to June 30, 2022.
“During the fishing season, all fishermen must only use fishing gear permitted by freshwater fishing regulations and in accordance with the fisheries law and other standards in force,” the notice said.
The administration urged fishermen who wish to use the fishing gear known as “manh” in the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers in the locations permitted by the government to first contact their respective provincial agriculture department to receive permission and guidance from the fisheries authorities on the laws and proper techniques for using this type of gear, which involves dragging nets through the water behind trawler fishing boats.
