TSA conducting inventory of fishing gear in Tonle Sap Lake
TEAMS from the Tonle Sap Authority (TSA)’s Department of Supervision, Trade and Conservation are making an inventory of the fishing gear in the Tonle Sap Lake area to document what equipment is available.
TSA deputy secretary-general Mao Hak told The Post on March 13 that the purpose of the operation was to gather information so it would gain a deeper understanding of what was being used in the area.
Hak said this activity is undertaken annually by the authority.
“We document fishing gear on a regular basis and update the reports that we have compiled. This research benefits our nation and our understanding of the Tonle Sap Lake,” he said.
According to Hak, the audits are carried out in all six provinces around the Tonle Sap Lake, with some already being completed.
From March 9-11, a TSA team completed its inventory of Kampong Chhnang province.
Om Savath, executive director of the Fisheries Action Coalition team, said it was a good thing that there are regular updates to the inventory of fishing gear in the country.
He said this would make published data accurate and precise, which would lead to more effective management of new or banned fishing technology.
“This means more information can be shared with relevant institutions, civil society organisations and communities in the Tonle Sap lake region,” he said.
“We know that our fishing regulations need to be updated as new technology becomes available – some of it may be used to collect illegal fisheries resources. These regular updates are a useful resource,” he added.
Savath said the inventories contribute to more effective prevention of fisheries offences, which he said are still occurring. He added that further joint action is required to eliminate them.