Nao Thuok, director general of the Cambodian Fisheries Administration, speaking last week at a workshop attended by local and provincial officials, said Cambodia's fishing industry output has increased 18 percent year-on-year, reports Nguon Sovan, writing for The Phnom Penh Post.
"About 35,000 tonnes of fish, including 5,000 tonnes of non-farmed fish, were caught last year, and that number is expected to reach 40,000 this year because of more reliance on aquaculture practices," he said.
But SRP lawmaker Yim Sovann called the figures "distorted".
"The increased output of fish exists only on paper," he told the Post last week. "In practical terms, fishing resources are getting poorer and poorer due to rampant illegal fishing in collusion with corrupt government officials."
Cambodian Production Claims are Distorted Say SRP
CAMBODIA - Government claims that the fishing industry has shown steady growth because of aquaculture has drawn criticism from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party.