Phnom penh: The six-year EU-funded Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector: Capture Component (CAPFISH-Capture) was concluded on Dec. 18, leveraging and developing Cambodia's fisheries industry to more resilience and sustainability. The closing ceremony was held in Phnom Penh under the presidency of H.E. Prak David, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, with participation from high-ranking officials from relevant ministries and institutions, UNIDO, civil society partners, and local fisheries communities.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the EU witnessed significant achievements over the course of the programme, including the passage of a new Fisheries law. Cambodia's ranking on the global 'Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Risk Index' improved dramatically from 3rd to 51st, reflecting progress in developing a more resilient, well-governed, and sustainable fisheries sector.
H.E. Prak David, speaking at the event, expressed appreciation for the cooperation among all stakeholders that led to the successful outcomes of the CAPFISH-Capture programme. The initiative benefited from financial support from the European Community to the Fisheries Administration and technical assistance from the FAO, which has been instrumental in strengthening the management and conservation of freshwater, marine, and coastal fisheries resources.
The programme also modernized fisheries management, updated the fisheries legal framework, and prepared various legal documents. It established boundaries, deployed artificial fish shelters, and strengthened fishing communities and fish shelter pond communities, enhancing the overall sustainability and governance of Cambodia's fisheries sector.