Miscommunication’ sparks increase

Cases of illegal fishing were on the upswing in 2014, with the Fishery Administration blaming the rise on a lack of communication between its officials, fishermen and local authorities. At a press conference yesterday to announce the results of a yearlong crackdown on illegal fishing, Nao Thouk, the director of the Fishery Administration, said his department had been hampered by poor communication and cooperation. According to a report released at the meeting, there were 4,347 cases of illegal fishing over the past 12 months, compared with 3,700 in 2013. Of the 166 people that were charged with illegal fishing during 2014, 114 were imprisoned, he said, adding that those convicted were fined more than 448 million riel (about $112,000) in total. Illegal fishing hot spots were in provinces surrounding the Tonle Sap river basin, including Battambang, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang and Kandal, the report revealed. During the meeting, officials discussed the challenge of bribery, saying military police were known to receive bribes from illegal fisherman in exchange for information about the fishery’s crackdown.