Officials inspect examples of some of the Tonle Sap Lake’s unique creatures. Fia
A study by the working group of the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute (IFReDI) of the Fisheries Administration (FiA) revealed that lamellibranch populations in Southeast Asia’s largest lake, the Tonle Sap, face threats from overfishing and habitat loss, with nearly 20,000 tonnes of clams harvested annually from four surrounding provinces.
IFReDI director Heng Kong stated on March 5 that in response to the issue, the group had been taking samples of various species from the lake since August 2023, focusing particularly on clams amid unsustainable harvesting issues.
He also raised concerns about the damaging impact of the trawling metal baskets used in clam fishing, which can disrupt the ecosystem on the lake’s bed and the aquatic food chain.
Sampling has been conducted in three provinces – Pursat, Battambang and Siem Reap – with Kampong Thom yet to be surveyed.
“The primary aim of this assessment study is to strike a balance between fisheries management and local communities’ needs. We propose allocating 30 per cent of the area for conservation at suitable water depths in the dry season and 70 per cent for community fishing,” he stated.
Following consultations with national and provincial officials and local communities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is promoting clam fishing with a size range of 2.5 to 3.5cm instead of the smaller 1 to 1.5cm ones.
The ministry, which oversees the FiA, also suggests using smaller outboard engines of 24cc or less.
“Fishermen are being encouraged to catch clams for human consumption, pending a clear demarcation of boundaries between harvesting and protected areas, with visible markers like poles or floating devices. Fishing in or near protected areas will be prohibited,” he said.
The head of the research institute stressed the importance of long-term research to track seasonal yields, ecological health and the impact of variables like subsoil and water level and quality, to inform conservation measures.
Nou Sovann, executive director of River Ocean Cleanup, a local NGO, also expressed concern about pollution from refuse along rivers, which he said adversely affects biodiversity.
“Uncontrolled fishing poses a threat to the extinction of lamellibranchs, and pollution from litter and plastics has severe effects. We urge public involvement in river cleanups across Cambodia, as aquatic resources … are vital for food security,” he stated.
Sovann reported that since 2020, some 1,750 tonnes of rubbish have been collected from Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong and Bassac rivers.
IFReDI estimates, based on the yield per hectare from 178 freshwater fishing boats, that the average annual catch of clams from the four provinces around the lake is 18,726 tonnes.
The selling price for fishermen ranges from 300-400 riel ($0.074-$0.098) per kg, generating approximately 5.6 billion to 7.5 billion riel ($1.38 million to $1.84 million) in the provinces of Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Pursat and Siem Reap.
