The Stung Treng Provincial Administration has put in place steps to strengthen even more the efficient administration of dolphin and fish protection areas.
In a notice dated January 3 and signed by the provincial governor Svay Sam Eang, it was stated that each town and district administrative joint force must create a plan to improve the administration of the dolphin and fish conservation zones under its control.
Additionally, all town and district administrative joint forces must collaborate with the appropriate agencies to anchor buoys for the distinct delineation of protected areas, as well as permanent and temporary core regions, clearly stating that entry is prohibited and fishing is strictly prohibited.
All fishermen will also receive education about the law’s protection of dolphins and a ban on fishing in protected areas.
Rare fish species have recently experienced losses due to illicit fishing and other issues.
“I urgently introduce these instructions for effective execution to ensure the management, care, protection, and conservation of significant and endangered fish species,” Sam Eang wrote in the notification.
Additionally, he urged all joint administrative forces to exert every effort and employ every resource in order to put the rules into practice and take all necessary steps to administer and safeguard dolphin and fish conservation areas.
On January 2, Prime Minister Hun Sen pleaded with the provincial leaders of Kratie and Stung Treng to secure the protection of the dolphins of the Kingdom during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new bridge across the Mekong River in Kratie province.
He instructed the authorities to work with relevant ministries and agencies, as well as partner organizations, to severely outlaw all forms of fishing in protected regions in order to conserve the freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins and other endangered species.
