Group photo at the National Fish Day 2024 celebration event (From Left) Rebekah Bell, FAOR along with Prime Minister Hun Manet, First Lady Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet and Dith Tina, Minister of Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishe. ©MAFF

As Cambodia celebrated National Fish Day, the CAPFISH-Capture project highlighted its five-year success in promoting sustainable fisheries. National Fish Day, held on July 1, encourages public involvement in fish conservation to enhance stocks, food security, and livelihoods. The fisheries sector is vital, contributing 12% to GDP, but faces challenges like illegal fishing and habitat destruction.

“The fisheries industry plays a crucial role in Cambodia's economy, offering crucial support for food security and livelihoods. However, it is crucial to address challenges such as illegal fishing, overfishing, habitat destruction, and climate change,” said Tihamér Czika, Chargé d’affairs a.i. of the EU in Cambodia.

Launched in 2019, the CAPFISH-Capture Programme is a collaborative initiative by the European Union, Cambodia's Fisheries Administration (FiA), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) to promote sustainable and inclusive fisheries development. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provides technical assistance to enhance fisheries conservation, management, and legal compliance, including implementing the National Plan of Action to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in both inland and marine areas.

"FAO is dedicated to supporting CAPFISH-Capture, which is making significant changes to Cambodia's fisheries management by improving enforcement, implementing legislative reforms, and enhancing conservation efforts,” said Rebekah Bell, FAO Representative in Cambodia.

Read the article to find out how the CAPFISH-Capture project has made continuous strives to preserve Cambodia's fisheries and ensure sustainable development for future generations