Phnom Penh  (VNA) - The Fisheries Administration of Cambodia has voiced concern overdeclining fish population caused by the decrease in water levels at lakes andrivers in the country, according to local media.

In a recent interview with a local media outlet, its directorHong Hy said the water levels in many important rivers in the Cambodia, such asTonle Sap and the Mekong, continue to fall during the prolonged dry season,which is affecting the fish breeding cycle and migration, the Khmer Timesnewspaper reported.

According to Hy, the end of June is normally the breeding season for many typesof fishes, especially the Pangasius fish, but so far this year, there is nosign of migration and reproduction.

The Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in the region and usuallyprovides Cambodia with 500,000 tonnes of fish or about 70 percent of thecountry’s total annual protein intake. However, last year, natural fish catchesamounted to only 14,023 tonnes.

If the water level continues to fall, it will affect fish reproduction. It canalso lead to insufficient fish supply in the market, Hy said.

On illegal fishing,he said people still continue to use banned fishing nets and fish stunnersdespite law enforcement, adding that these activities not only harm fish fryand endangered species but also fishermen’s livelihoods.

A report by the Agriculture Ministry revealed that last year, FisheriesAdministration officials in cooperation with relevant authorities cracked downon 3,101 fisheries crimes and destroyed fishing nets spanning a total of1,149.20 kilometres, 575,731 poles and 402 electrofishing equipment.

Hy also announcedthe closed fishing season will begin on July 1 in the freshwater areas. Theclosure is aimed at conserving and protecting fishery resources during thebreeding session./.