KAMPONG CHAM, Cambodia (Xinhua): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Monday released some 1.5 million baby fish and young shrimps into a natural lake here in the country's southeast part to celebrate the 19th National Fish Day.
Speaking at the event, Hun Manet said the annual event was aimed at encouraging people to preserve fish species in natural habitats and to increase fish-raising activities.
"Fish is a major source of protein for our people, so it is necessary to protect, conserve and develop fisheries resources for our people in the next generations," he said.
"Sustainable preservation and development of fisheries resources will contribute to ensuring food security and poverty reduction," he added.
Hun Manet also called on fishermen not to fish during the annual fish breeding season from July to October and encouraged farmers to expand fish raising in order to reduce the catches of natural fish.
Dith Tina, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, said about 20 kinds of aquatic creatures including fish, shrimps, tortoises, and turtles were freed into the Boeung Thom, or Big Lake, in Prey Chhor district.
He said the South-East Asian nation harvested 426,000 tons of freshwater aquatic creatures in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 5 per cent. - XInhua
