Monday August 11, 2025
IUCN —
The Tonle Sap Lake—Cambodia’s freshwater treasure—sustains the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. But it faces growing pressures: years of overfishing, weak law enforcement, loss of flooded forests, and climate change have severely depleted fish stocks and damaged aquatic ecosystems. As catches decline and poverty worsens, fishing communities confront a stark reality: without conservation, their way of life is at risk. In response, Phat Sanday’s Community Fisheries (CFi) united for a powerful idea “work with nature, not against it”.
“For the past five years, our fishing grounds faced increasing threats. Our fish were disappearing. Catch significantly declined. We had to act together,” said Mr. Nhen Rann, Patrol Leader, Phat Sanday CFi.
With the support from IUCN and the Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT), through a EU-funded project “Strengthening CSO capacities to scale up sustainable freshwater fisheries in Cambodia,” Phat Sanday was selected as one of 20 communities across the Tonle Sap and Upper Mekong to advance conservation efforts.
Established in 2002, Phat Sanday CFi has 400 members, led by an 11-member management committee, including two women. The government granted the community access to 23,247 hectares of fishing grounds, of which, a 921-hectare fish conservation area (FCA) was designated that includes 870 hectares of flooded forest. Recognised by the Fisheries Administration, the FCA was created to protect fish breeding habitat.
The community enforces a closed fishing season from June 1 to September 30 in line with national regulations, allowing fish populations to breed and recover. The community also raised awareness of the importance of fish conservation, demarcated the FCA boundaries, and installed signboards. Daily patrols have resulted in a sharp decline in illegal fishing. While offenses like electrofishing and mosquito net use persist outside the FCA, illegal fishing inside the FCA has virtually stopped.
“The fish are coming back. And so is our hope,” said Mr. So Pek, Phat Sanday CFi Leader.
Over the past three years, fish catch has increased by 45%, with a daily harvest of 30-40 kg/household and worth $40/day/household. Endangered species such as juvenile giant barb have returned. The flooded forest’s regrowth has restored the ecosystem and contributed to food security and income growth. Notably, the FCA has become a dry season fish refuge, increasing resilience to climate change. Rare mammals like the smooth-coated otter and Indochinese silvered langur have been spotted, showing that restoring fish habitats benefits broader beneficiares.
Phat Sanday CFi’s success demonstrates that community-led, nature-based solutions are not just for fish, but for people, forests, and the future. Their story inspires other communities around the Tonle Sap to act and restore their own fish stocks.