PHNOM PENH: About 100 million fingerlings will be released back into their rivers by three South-East Asian nations - Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar - to replenish dwindling fish stocks and revive the aquatic food chain.
The initiative has become an annual event in these countries, where fish play a critical role as a source of revenue and food for local communities.
Laos is set to release 65 million fingerlings into its natural waters this year, while Myanmar targets 35 million and Cambodia aims to release 1.5 million juvenile fish.
Lao Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Chanthakone Boualaphan, said that Laos is home to around 500 species of fish, which not only contribute to ecological balance but also form an essential part of the nation’s natural heritage.
"Let’s release fish and aquatic animals back into nature so they can thrive forever.
Protecting fish and aquatic animals is the obligation of the entire nation," Chanthakone said during the National Fish and Aquatic Animals Release Day on July 13.
In Myanmar, authorities have adopted a similar strategy to restore aquatic biodiversity in their rivers.
Major rivers - the Ayeyarwady, Thanlwin, Chindwin and Sittaung - are earmarked to benefit from this river rejuvenation effort, which typically occurs during the monsoon season.
On Saturday, Myanmar officials released 100,000 fingerlings - specifically golden carps, rohu and silver barbs - into the Yezin Dam in Nay Pyi Taw. In total, they have released 885,700 fingerlings into the dam on 11 instances since 2011.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet participated in the National Fish Day on July 1, during which 1.5 million fish, fingerlings and aquatic animals were released into Tonle Sap Lake in Phnom Penh.
The fishing industry remains a crucial economic pillar in all three agrarian countries, with millions of fishermen relying on fishing for their livelihoods.
Cambodia produced nearly 926,000 metric tonnes of fish through fisheries and aquaculture in 2024, including 470,000 metric tonnes of freshwater fish.
Meanwhile, Myanmar generated RM1.8 billion (US$421 million) from the export of 400 metric tonnes of fish during the 2024-2025 fiscal year (April-March), according to its Department of Fisheries. Common fish species exported include catfish, hilsa, rohu and seabass.
Last year, annual per capita fish consumption was 30 kg in Laos, 42 kg in Myanmar, and 52 kg in Cambodia. - Bernama
