The third dolphin calf born this year was spotted on February 9 in Anlong Chroy Banteay in Prek Prasob district, Kratie province. -- Photo: WWF Cambodia
PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): A senior Cambodian official has warned that river guards who abuse their power or turn a blind eye to illegal fishing activities in protected Irrawaddy dolphin areas will be removed from their positions to enhance the effectiveness of conservation efforts along the Mekong River.
Im Rachna, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, reiterated the warning during a February 11 meeting at the Kratie province’s Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation office in Chitrborei district’s Sambok village.
The meeting was held to review and adjust the organisation of river guards in the Kampi region to improve the efficiency of their vital conservation work, said the agriculture ministry, in a February 13 statement.
“If a river guard commits a crime or abuses their power by allowing illegal fishing, they must be dismissed by their superiors,” Rachna said.
“The principle of performing surgery to remove corrupt officials aims to improve their performance and encourage all officials to carry out their duties with integrity, dedication and a fierce commitment to tirelessly protecting aquatic resources,” she added.
Im Rachna, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries at the meeting. - Phnom Penh Post
She recommended that the Mekong River patrols strengthen their cooperation to improve efforts in the prevention, detection and suppression of illegal fishing in protected areas.
They must work diligently, with clear strategies to combat and eliminate the use of large nets, illegal traps, and other destructive fishing tools that pose risks to the dolphins, which are a national treasure.
“The responsibility and loyalty of river guards is an important and indispensable catalyst to safeguard the lives of the dolphins and ensure the sustainability of fisheries resources,” said Rachna.
So far in 2025, three Irrawaddy dolphin calves have been born, bringing the total number of dolphins in Cambodia to 107.
More than 40 Mekong River guards are currently working around the clock, 24/7, to protect the rare mammals.
During the last nine months of 2024, officers conducting illegal fishing crackdowns in the Kampi region, confiscated 273 fishing nets with a total length of 10,320 metres, 64 fishing lines with a length of 4,900 metres, 3 motor boats, 4 fish traps, 3 batteries, 4 sets of fish hooks, and 70 metres of electric wire. They also educated 41 fishermen. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
