Illegal fishing carried out by well-funded groups: Cambodia

Kampong Thom Fisheries Administration officers combats illegal fishing on the Tonle Sap Lake on April 19. - KAMPONG THOM FISHERIES ADMINISTRATION

PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh/Asia News Network): Although authorities have tightened enforcement against fishery crimes in Tonle Sap Lake recently following orders from Prime Minister Hun Sen, authorities said some illegal activity was still taking place and the offenders were often very well-equipped.

On April 18, joint intervention forces at the national level stationed in the Kampong Phluk area of Siem Reap province’s Sotr Nikuk district had discovered large scale fishery crimes. They suspected that the offenders had secretly committed the crimes during the Khmer New Year celebrations.