Phnom Penh: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has set new guidelines for the effectiveness of Mekong River dolphin conservation and instructed river guards to pay attention to safety when patrolling during the rainy season.
On the 5th In August 2026, Ms. Im Rachana, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, led a meeting with experts including Dr. Ouk Vibol, Director of the Fisheries Conservation Department of the General Department of Fisheries, Deputy Director Phay Somany, and the Kratie Provincial Fisheries Administration, Stung Treng, WWF Cambodia at the Dolphin Conservation Center, Sambok Commune, Chet Borei District, Kratie Province, to improve the efficiency of managing and protecting Mekong River dolphins.
During the meeting, she highlighted that despite 24-hour patrols, the use of large-scale nets, gillnets, and fish-catching devices continues to occur, posing a serious risk to dolphins.
She asked all relevant parties and local authorities to increase close cooperation to strengthen law enforcement by putting forward measures such as: 1. Identifying offenders and taking strict legal action without exception. 2. Recruiting additional river guards with expertise in driving fishing boats to crack down on fishing crimes on the river. 3. Modernizing patrol boats to increase speed to increase patrol efficiency and suppress crime. 4. Adjusting patrol posts in conservation areas in accordance with the location of dolphins and locations where fishing crimes are common.
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