A Vietnamese national was arrested yesterday in Kandal province for allegedly illegally fishing in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap river.

Men Seng, chief of staff at Koh Thom district police, said 35-year-old Guyeng Yaing Ya was arrested in Sompov Poun commune, where officers seized evidence including a motorboat and 17 fishing nets.

The suspect was charged with “illegal border crossing and illegally fishing in the prohibited season using illegal fishing equipment”, Seng said.

Thun Chetna, an officer with the Sangkat Chaktomuk district Fishery Administration, which cooperated in yesterday’s arrest, said Yaing Ya was being questioned yesterday afternoon.

Chetna said Yaing Ya is likely to be deported. The motorboat will now be kept as state property, while other seized items will be burned.

He added that continued efforts are needed to stop further fishing offences.

“Despite the fact that a crackdown has been launched and fishing is prohibited in breeding season, and that serious fines have been introduced, fishery crimes keep happening.

It means that all of the involved authorities need to observe and crack down regularly.”