Fisheries administration officials cracked down on illegal fishing activities in Kampong Cham province’s Boeung Thom lake on Saturday, seizing and destroying illegal fish traps and more than a kilometre of illegal extra-fine netting, officials said yesterday.

The raid was carried out to ensure the sustainability of the fishery, where fishing is banned during the current season. Ouk Narin, of the Kampong Cham fisheries administration, said it was important to preserve the off-season fishing ban to ensure the viability of the fishery in the future.

The operation, he said, was carried out in the Rolom Pur area of Mien commune, a problem spot for fishing violations.

“In fact, in the inspection and crackdown operation at Rolom Pur at Boeung Thom Lake the fisheries administration authorities’ forces pulled down, seized and destroyed some illegal fishing devices, including [35 metres of] mosquito net, 390 stakes, and another 1,300 metres of mosquito net,” Narin said.

Police also seized another 35 metres of a different super-fine netting, as well as four illegal bamboo fish traps.

All of the materials were burned by authorities.