European Union provides small grants to community fisheries and community refuges
The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) through Fisheries Administration (FiA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and the European Union are committed to supporting sustainable fisheries in Cambodia through provision of small grants to community fisheries (CFi) and community fish refuges (CFR), to bolster capacity of operations and improve management of fisheries.
This financial support is instrumental in creation and support of conservation areas, including placement of conservation signs, fence poles and wire, and drainage, and ensuring availability of equipment and supplies for effective patrolling. Additionally, the funding also supports habitat restoration initiatives for fish and other aquatic species, crucial for food security at the household level, typically managed by women.
“Since 2020, the European Union-funded CAPFISH-Capture programme has worked with community fisheries and community fish refuges, particularly on strengthening the management capacities of fisheries and encouraging the advancement of women in the industry. Multiple assessments have been conducted under CAPFISH-Capture to better understand the status and effectiveness of community fisheries, which has identified priority areas for technical assistance,” said H.E Mr. Driesmans Igor, Ambassador of EU Delegation to Cambodia.
The European Union has been providing annual grants support of KHR 4 million, which is estimated at about USD 1000, to 250 communities to support the operation and the development of community fisheries and community fish refuges in Cambodia since 2020. The grants have been provided through the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector: Capture component (CAPFISH Capture), one of the largest EU-funded programmes in the world, which is being implemented from 2019 to 2024.
“Community fisheries cover most areas of the fishing ground in Cambodia. Without the participation of the community fisheries, sustainable fisheries and fisheries development in Cambodia cannot be realized. All partners, including the government, NGOs and development partners, need to support their operations through sustainable financing, so that community fisheries can achieve their agreement to support fisheries management,” said FiA, H.E. Poum Sotha, Delegate of the Royal Government, Director General of Fisheries Administration. “Without participatory of fishing communities through CFi and CFR, we cannot make fisheries conservation and management successfully. Development partners and non-government organizations please continue support to strengthen the operation of CFi/CFR sustainably with technical and capacity building support including budget which contributes to achieve food security for a better livelihood and poverty reduction,” H.E. Poum Sotha added.
Celebrating success
On 4 December 2023, partners celebrated the completion of a training of trainers on the Guideline on the Transfer and Management of the budget to support the Operation of Community Fisheries and Community Fish Refuges. This is a guideline which was developed by FiA with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to ensure that CFi and CFR committee members are able to manage their grants effectively. The celebration which was at a wrap-up workshop, included sharing of lessons learnt on application of the guideline and culminated in a certificate handover ceremony to cantonment officials, CFi and CFR committee members who undertook the training.
“Today, we are pleased to announce that FAO in Cambodia, in collaboration with Fisheries Administration, will be awarding certificates to 568 fisheries cantonments, community fisheries, and community fisheries refuges committee members. These certificates will be presented to recognize successful completion of the training-of-trainers program on the Guidelines for Budget Management to Support the Development of Community Fisheries and Community Fisheries Refuges. This program was designed to enhance management of community fisheries operations and we are proud of trainees’ commitment to this endeavor,” said Rebekah Bell at the wrap-up workshop.
The event was held in Phnom Penh, with 200 participants, including officials from FiA, Fisheries cantonments, fisheries inspectorates, CFis, CFRs, the European Union, and non-governmental organizations such as Culture and Environment Preservation Association, RECOFTC Cambodia, Fisheries Action Coalition Team, Wild Earth Allies, and My Village.
The implementation of small grants support training was initiated with funding from the European Union, with technical support from the CAPFISH-Capture programme. CAPFISH-Capture aims to help the Royal Government of Cambodia to achieve a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive fisheries development, contributing to food security and poverty reduction. It aims to do so by improving conservation, management and compliance with fisheries laws and regulations in the inland and marine domain, contributing to the development of post-harvest fisheries and improving resilience of the fishing communities of the Tonle Sap Lake and of sea coastal areas.