HIGH-RANKING OFFICIAL FROM MAFF MONITORED ACTIVITIES OF SHORT MACKEREL REFUGIA IN KOH KONG PROVINCE

H.E. Khun Savoeun, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries visited short mackerel refugia sites at Village 1 and 2 of Peam Krasob commune, Mondol Sema district, Koh Kong province on 9 February 2022 and joined a progress report discussion on 10 February 2022. He expressed his appreciation to all relevant institutions from the central and provincial levels for his opportunities to join the field trip and the meeting. He stated that the establishment of short mackerel refugia is very important in ensuring sustainable fishing in the present and long-term management, so the fisheries refugia concept is a good management practice and measures of marine fisheries resources, especially short mackerel, in line with the MAFF’s policy in the establishment of Marine Fisheries Management Area in coastal provinces in term of the management and sustainable utilization of marine fisheries resources.

The establishment of short mackerel refugia (1283ha), located in Peam Krasob commune, and Koh Kapi commune, Koh Kong province, was greed by the stakeholder communities and endorsed by the loyal Government of Cambodia on 19 September 2019. The aims are to protect, conserve, and sustainable the utilization of short mackerel specie in line with national fisheries sector policy. To support the long-term management, the required actions are mentioned clearly in the Proclamation as follows:

• Prepare a management mechanism.
• Organize and implement a management plan
• Prepare a patrolling group, install materials, and implement a patrolling action.
• Define and demarcate a boundary
• Study technical research, survey and monitor biological status and mackerel stoke in nature
• Educate and raise public awareness among fishermen and other stakeholders
• Seek aid and collaborate with other development partnerships, internal and national
• organizations, and generous persons to support funds for the management activities of the management area of mackerel fisheries refugia.

Seasonal closure of short mackerel refugia starting from 1 December to 31 March of the following year. Mr. Seng Bunna, Deputy Director of Fisheries Administration Cantonment (FiAC) of Koh Kong reported short mackerel stock increases, while dolphins returned to the area after the establishment of short mackerel refugia. This refugia site has been managed well with signing boards installed to remark the boundary of the refugia site. However, some illegal fishing from trawlers is observed in the refugia area. He added that to ensure effective refugia management, the Department of Fisheries Conservation (DFC/FiA) collaborated with FiAC and CFi to build and deploy 50 concrete blocks (supporting budgets from CAPFISH-Capture Project) on the bottom of the refugia site. The aim of deploying concrete blocks is to curb trawlers from fishing in the refugia area and create artificial reefs and shelter for aquatic animal species to home, grow, and spawn.

For more information, visit the website: https://fisheries-refugia.org/refugia-country-activities/refugia-cambodia

@ August 2022