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Abstract:
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"The present freshwater capture fisheries management of Cambodia is thought to be 'one of the most developed and extended systems of fisheries regulation found in the world' (IMC 1992: A5-42). It comprises regulations on large scale fishing operations in well defined 'fishing lots', and middle scale operations, which need official licenses handed out by the DoF, and the so-called family fisheries with minor gears which can be operated in all water bodies at every time, unless being subject to legally restricted areas. Threats to and pressures on fish stocks are increasing in the same way as conflicts increase between the relevant actors (Ahmed et al.1998:). For social peace' sake a long-term fishery resources availability providing food security, income generation, and employment has to be addressed within the context of an improved fisheries management structure.
"This paper originates within a project context of international fisheries development cooperation, in which a regional organization provides advice to the fisheries authorities of the Cambodian Government on training staff in fishing related research, setting up data bases and developing options for sustainable freshwater capture fisheries management. The basis of data actually available allows only for some initial insights into these organizational systems and management practices. After more than a quarter of a century of civil war, in which most of historical documentation disappeared, and no research had been done, Government staff has to be trained in order to conduct research on relevant issues for fisheries management, meaning that every kind of data collection is virtually a pioneering work.
"The process of gradually deepening insights also allows for gradually improving the operationalization of research questions that provide a clearer picture of the essentials for fisheries management. This paper tries to contribute to this process of refining research questions, clearing concepts and definitions needed for designing feasible options for fisheries management, that fit the very specific environmental, cultural and institutional-political conditions of Cambodia."
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