Authorities bust illegal fishing - phnompenhpost.com

Authorities in Cambodia report a nationwide crackdown on illegal fishing, with 1,843 cases addressed over the last eight months. A report cited by the Phnompenh Post says 19 of 89 perpetrators were imprisoned, while 115 cases were referred to court. For another 61 cases, interim fines were imposed totaling 142 million riel (about $35,697), and in 1,667 cases fishing tools were confiscated or destroyed. Enforcement has intensified as increased rainfall floods creeks and lakes that serve as fish-spawning habitats during the rainy season, particularly around the Tonle Sap lake. On September 16 in Pursat province, officers and military police destroyed illegal nets totaling more than 2,870 meters and 1,780 posts. Similar activity was reported across northeastern provinces and along the lower Mekong during fishing ban periods.