Study on Small-Scale Fishing Community and Fisheries Management in Cambodia

1. Workshop on Asserting Rights, Defining Responsibilities:Perspectives from Small-Scale Fishing Communities on Coastal and Fisheries Management in AsiaPreah Khan Hotel, Siem Reap, Cambodia3 – 8 May 2007

2. Study on Small-Scale Fishing Community and Fisheries Management in Cambodia • Leading Agency:CBNRM Learning Institute • Study Team:CBNRM LI, CFDO, VSG, and FACT • Partnership:WFC, OGB, FAO, FiA, SEAFDEC, and CEPA • Financial Support: ICSF, SEAFDEC, and IDRC

3. Objectives of the Study In Cambodia: To document and explore the understanding that fishing communities have about their rights to fisheries and coastal resources, as well the obligations and responsibilities associated with these rights. To document and discuss the initiatives being taken by fishing communities to assert their rights and to fulfill their responsibilities.

4. Sites/Geographical Research Areas Inland case study was undertaken in Bak Amrek-Doun Ent community fishery, Prek Loung Commune, Ek Phnom District, Battambang Province. Coastal zone case study is undertaken in Tum Nup Rolok community fishery, Tum Nup Rolok Sangkat, Stung Hav Precinct, Sihanouk Ville Municipality.

5. Study Approach: To collect the secondary data to add to the case studies. To conduct interviews with household, elders, village chief, community members; non-members and committee in the community fisheries. To validate the result of the field work and the secondary data finding

6. Key Finding from the Study: Types of Fishing Small-scale or family fishing in Cambodia is open to anyone and does not require a license to operate. It is done in floodplain areas, in fishing lots during the closed season and in rice fields. In the marine fishery domain, it is done in the fishing zone from the coast to a depth of 20 m. Medium-scale or middle-scale fishing require a license and is operated only in the open access area of inland or marine fishery domains by using middle-scale fishing gears. Large-scale fishing refers to the fishing lot system and dai fishery in inland fisheries, and the offshore marine fishing in waters 20 m depth to the limit of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

7. Key Finding from the Study: Major Fishing Areas Cambodia is divided into 3 main regions – the Tonle Sap Basin, the Mekong River Basin and the coastal zone. The Mekong, Tonle Sap River/Tonle Sap Lake and Basac Rivers and many of their tributaries, numerous lakes and the floodplain comprise a wide range of different habitat types such as marshes/swamps, shrub lands, grasslands, flooded forest to rice fields and reservoirs. In the coastal zone, mangroves, seagrass beds and coral reefs, sandy beaches and tidal flats are the main important habitats found.

8. Key Finding from the Study: Decision Maker in Fishery Use and Management According to Article 9 of the new Fisheries Law, “fisheries domains belong to state property.” The management of all fisheries in Cambodia is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), administered through the Fisheries Administration (FiA). Within the FiA, the Community Fisheries Development Office (CFDO) is responsible for facilitating community fisheries (CF). Even with the establishment of the CF, decisions on fishery use and management have to be approved by the State and all CF actions have to abide by the rules of the State.

9. Key Finding from the Study: Awareness and Mindset of the Local People about Their Right to Fish and Stop Illegal Fishing Activities. After the CF establishment, the people in the 2 study sites became more aware of their right to fish and particularly, their right to stop illegal fishing activities. With this new awareness and mindset, local people were encouraged to take bolder steps to stop illegal fishing. The CF has also created a mindset on the local people’s responsibility to fishery management and conservation. Specifically, there is a strong resolve to protect the mangroves and flooded forest in the 2 study sites by restricting its use and putting up conservation areas.

10. Key Finding from the Study: Inadequate Awareness of the Rights to Fishery Resource of the Local People The CF needs the capacity (e.g. negotiating skills) to assert their rights. To develop their capacities, the CF at present needs the technical and funding support of facilitating organizations such as NGOs or provincial/municipal departments.

11. Key Finding from the Study: A Better Understanding of Small-Scale Fisheries is Fundamental in Pursuing Actions on CFs in the Future. Beyond all the talk about the State’s decisive role or the increasing participation of communities in fishery management, it is in the realm of small-scale fisheries where local people make daily decisions on resource use for their survival. The right to do small-scale fishing has always been practiced and thus considered “traditional” by local people. There are very few studies looking into this type of fisheries. In addition, there is very little direct documentation on customary practices or traditional fishery management systems.