PHNOM PENH, December 19, 2025 — After six years of dedicated work to protect Cambodia’s waters and support local fishermen, the CAPFISH-Capture program officially came to an end on Thursday. This project, funded by the European Union (EU), has fundamentally changed how Cambodia manages its fish resources to ensure there are plenty of fish for future generations.
What is CAPFISH-Capture?
This program was a massive effort to make Cambodia’s fishing industry stronger and more sustainable. It brought together the Cambodian government, the EU, and international experts from the United Nations (FAO and UNIDO) to fix long-standing problems in both freshwater (like the Tonle Sap) and coastal sea areas.
Key Achievements Over the Last 6 Years
The program delivered “proud results” that have put Cambodia on the map for good environmental management:
- Fighting Illegal Fishing: Cambodia made a massive leap in the global “Illegal Fishing Risk Index,” moving from being the 3rd worst to the 51st spot. This means the country is now much better at stopping illegal and unregulated fishing.
- New Laws: A new, modern Fisheries Law was passed to give the government better tools to protect the water.
- Creating “Fish Homes”: The project built boundaries for protected areas, put “artificial shelters” in the water for fish to breed, and strengthened local fishing communities so they can manage their own resources.
- Modern Management: Fisheries staff are now using better technology and data to track fish populations.
Why This Matters for Cambodians
H.E. Prak David, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, explained that these results aren’t just about numbers—they are about the lives of people. By protecting fish shelters and modernizing how we fish, the government is ensuring that:
- Fishermen have steady jobs and more reliable catches.
- The environment is protected from being over-harvested.
- Food security is guaranteed for the millions of Cambodians who rely on fish as their main source of protein.
“This project has strengthened the management of our freshwater and coastal resources, making them more resilient for the future,” said H.E. Prak David.