Preah Sihanouk: A partnership consultation forum on fisheries resource management and community governance was held in Prey Nob district on July 15, 2026. Participants included ទឹម បូរក្ស, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Deputy Provincial Governor យូសុះ សូឡៃម៉ាន; local authorities; the Fisheries Administration; community fisheries; civil society organisations; and development partners. The forum aimed to strengthen cooperation in managing, protecting, conserving and sustainably using fisheries resources.
សុខ សុខុម, Director of អង្គការស្រលាញ់ធនធានធម្មជាតិកម្ពុជា (CNRO), said marine fisheries resources and coastal ecosystems are vital to food security, economic development, people’s livelihoods and environmental balance. He stressed that community fisheries play an important role in conservation and management, but still face illegal fishing, mangrove destruction, encroachment on public land and environmental pollution.
ទឹម បូរក្ស said the Cambodian government has focused on developing community economies alongside natural-resource conservation by strengthening community fisheries, community networks and marine fisheries management areas. He added that the ministry is updating relevant laws and regulations to improve fisheries management and sustainable coastal development.
He said the forum gave all stakeholders an opportunity to share experiences, exchange views and seek joint solutions to strengthen community governance, protect fisheries resources and improve fishing communities’ livelihoods, in line with government policy and the slogan “enough to eat, enough to use, prosperity and enduring availability”.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor យូសុះ សូឡៃម៉ាន thanked the ministry, the fisheries directorate, partner organisations, civil society groups and the European Union for supporting marine conservation and coastal communities’ livelihoods.
The Deputy Governor said Preah Sihanouk has 17 community fisheries actively involved in co-management and conservation. Nevertheless, natural resources remain under pressure from development, investment, land encroachment and excessive resource use, requiring stronger law enforcement and more effective environmental impact assessments.
The provincial administration pledged to continue cooperating with the ministry, specialist institutions and development partners to protect mangroves, conserve fisheries resources and sustainably improve community livelihoods.
Text: Pai Sokhim
Photos: Keo Dara
