Establishing Rights of Small-Establishing Rights of Small-Scale Fishing Community to Scale Fishing Community to Coastal and Inland Fisheries Coastal and Inland Fisheries

Resources in CambodiaResources in Cambodia Workshop and Symposium on Asserting Rights, Defining Responsibilities:

Perspective from Small-Scale Fishing Communities on Coastal and Fisheries Management in Asia

3-8 May, Siem Reap

Outline of PresentationOutline of Presentation

Fisheries Management Practice in CambodiaFisheries Management Practice in Cambodia

Community fisheries Community fisheries

Legal framework to support community fisheriesLegal framework to support community fisheries

Institutional support CFs and networkingInstitutional support CFs and networking

Community Fisheries EmpowermentCommunity Fisheries Empowerment

Community Fisheries Livelihood Development Community Fisheries Livelihood Development

IssuesIssues

The Way ForwardThe Way Forward

Physical Structure and Physical Structure and Resource Base of Resource Base of

CambodiaCambodia

Fisheries Management Practice in CambodiaFisheries Management Practice in Cambodia

Fisheries Management in Cambodia is divided intoFisheries Management in Cambodia is divided into ::

Large scale fisheries (Commercial fishing)Large scale fisheries (Commercial fishing) Lot Fisheries Lot Fisheries Dai FisheriesDai Fisheries

Middle scale fisheries (Commercial fishing)Middle scale fisheries (Commercial fishing)Small scale fisheries/family fishing (Subsistent fishing)Small scale fisheries/family fishing (Subsistent fishing)Community Fisheries Community Fisheries

These type of fisheries are different in terms of:These type of fisheries are different in terms of: Scale of operation Scale of operation Type, length and size of fishing gearType, length and size of fishing gear area of fishing area of fishing season of fishing season of fishing

Fisheries Management Practice in Cambodia Fisheries Management Practice in Cambodia (Cont.)(Cont.)

Large Scale Fishing Large Scale Fishing

River and lake lots River and lake lots

Dai or bag netDai or bag net

Large-Scale Fishing Operation in Tonle Sap Lake

Fisheries Management Practice in Cambodia (Cont.)

Fisheries Management Practice in Cambodia Fisheries Management Practice in Cambodia (Cont.)(Cont.)

Meddle-Scale Fishing in Tonle Sap Lake

Fisheries Management Practice in Cambodia Fisheries Management Practice in Cambodia (Cont.)(Cont.)

Family fishing Family fishing

Occasional fishingOccasional fishing

Rice field fishing during early rainy season

Small-scale fishing in Mekong River

Community FisheriesCommunity FisheriesNew Government PolicyNew Government Policy:: Release the area from Release the area from

fishing lot (large scale) for fishing lot (large scale) for local people do small scale local people do small scale fishing fishing

Encourage local people to Encourage local people to participate in resource participate in resource management through management through community fisheries community fisheries organizationorganization

The way to transfer some The way to transfer some role and responsibilities role and responsibilities from the center to local from the center to local peoplepeople

Community Fisheries (Cont.)Community Fisheries (Cont.)Reason for policy reform:Reason for policy reform:

No. of small scale fishing is increase but the No. of small scale fishing is increase but the fishing area is not sufficient for themfishing area is not sufficient for them

Decentralization and Deconcentration of the Decentralization and Deconcentration of the government policy on various sectorsgovernment policy on various sectors

Tendency of the world on changing ways of Tendency of the world on changing ways of management from central to participation. management from central to participation.

Community Fisheries (Cont.)Community Fisheries (Cont.)CFs in Cambodia focuses on small scale:CFs in Cambodia focuses on small scale: Like other Asian countries, small fisheries contribute the Like other Asian countries, small fisheries contribute the

major part in the fisheries sector. For example in major part in the fisheries sector. For example in Cambodia, fish catch from small scale is about 57 %, Cambodia, fish catch from small scale is about 57 %, whereas fish catch from large and medium scale only whereas fish catch from large and medium scale only about 43 %.about 43 %.

Contributions to local food securityContributions to local food security Sustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviationSustainable livelihoods and poverty alleviation Weak sub-sector in terms of financial and technical Weak sub-sector in terms of financial and technical

capabilities, therefore require support from the capabilities, therefore require support from the government to maintain social and economic securities in government to maintain social and economic securities in the rural area.the rural area.

Crucial to develop appropriate fisheries management Crucial to develop appropriate fisheries management system and conservation mechanismssystem and conservation mechanisms

Legal framework to support CFs Legal framework to support CFs Fisheries LawFisheries Law::

Provide strong basis for all Khmer citizens to Provide strong basis for all Khmer citizens to participate in the community fisheriesparticipate in the community fisheries

Identify MAFF as the competent institution who Identify MAFF as the competent institution who has general jurisdiction over community fisheries has general jurisdiction over community fisheries managementmanagement

Ensure the CFs area shall be managed in the Ensure the CFs area shall be managed in the sustainable manner by CFs themselves with the sustainable manner by CFs themselves with the proper management plan.proper management plan.

CFs area shall not be sold, exchanged, CFs area shall not be sold, exchanged, transferred or donated. transferred or donated.

Legal framework to support CFs (Cont.)Legal framework to support CFs (Cont.)

Sub-decree on CFMSub-decree on CFM Provide comprehensive scope, framework and Provide comprehensive scope, framework and

procedure for the establishment and management procedure for the establishment and management of CFs in Cambodia. of CFs in Cambodia.

For example:For example: The purpose of establishing of CFs (improvement of local The purpose of establishing of CFs (improvement of local

livelihood but should be in a sustainable and equitable livelihood but should be in a sustainable and equitable manner) manner)

The area where local people can use though establishing The area where local people can use though establishing CFsCFs

The requirement for CFs to have (CFs map, by-law, The requirement for CFs to have (CFs map, by-law, agreement and management plan)agreement and management plan)

Legal framework to support CFs (Cont.)Legal framework to support CFs (Cont.)

Sub-decree on CFM (Cont.)Sub-decree on CFM (Cont.) Clearly define role, responsibilities and rights of:Clearly define role, responsibilities and rights of:

Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Fisheries AdministrationFisheries Administration (FiA) (FiA) Community fisheries (members and committee)Community fisheries (members and committee)

What are those role, rights and responsibilities?What are those role, rights and responsibilities?

MAFF: general jurisdiction over community fisheries MAFF: general jurisdiction over community fisheries management, specifically issuing CF guideline, model management, specifically issuing CF guideline, model of by-law and internal rule, model of agreement, of by-law and internal rule, model of agreement, model of management plan model of management plan

FiA: Provide technical support and seek for partners FiA: Provide technical support and seek for partners to support CFs, facilitate, capacity building of CFs, to support CFs, facilitate, capacity building of CFs, monitoring and evaluation of CFs performance etc. monitoring and evaluation of CFs performance etc.

Legal framework to support CFs (Cont.)Legal framework to support CFs (Cont.)Community Fisheries:Community Fisheries: Prepare CF by-law, CF internal rule, CF Prepare CF by-law, CF internal rule, CF

agreement, CF management plan.agreement, CF management plan. Participate in resource management and Participate in resource management and

conservation in the CF fishing area.conservation in the CF fishing area. Do small scale fishing, aquaculture and other Do small scale fishing, aquaculture and other

activities to improve livelihood activities to improve livelihood Communicate with other CFs, physical persons Communicate with other CFs, physical persons

and legal entities for benefit of the community and legal entities for benefit of the community fisheries fisheries

Cooperate with the Fisheries Administration to Cooperate with the Fisheries Administration to suppress all fisheries violations in the community suppress all fisheries violations in the community fishing area etc. fishing area etc.

Legal framework to support CFs (Cont.)Legal framework to support CFs (Cont.)

Proclamation (Prakas) on CF Guideline:Proclamation (Prakas) on CF Guideline: Provide detail steps on establishment and Provide detail steps on establishment and

management of CFs through out Cambodia. management of CFs through out Cambodia. Provide 4 models for CFs:Provide 4 models for CFs:

Model of by lawModel of by law

Model of internal rule Model of internal rule

Model of CF area agreement Model of CF area agreement

Model of CFs area management planModel of CFs area management plan Base on these models, CFs are able to prepare Base on these models, CFs are able to prepare

their own by-law, internal rule, agreement and their own by-law, internal rule, agreement and management plan. management plan.

Institutional support CFs and networkingInstitutional support CFs and networking

At the national levelAt the national level: Community Development : Community Development Office was established as the new office of the Office was established as the new office of the fisheries administration to deal with the overall fisheries administration to deal with the overall administration and facilitation of CF organization administration and facilitation of CF organization and management though out the countryand management though out the country

At the provincial levelAt the provincial level: CFDUs have been : CFDUs have been established as unit of the provincial fisheries office established as unit of the provincial fisheries office to support CF in their provinceto support CF in their province

At the local levelAt the local level: CF committees are elected by : CF committees are elected by the members of CF to serve as a leading the members of CF to serve as a leading mechanism in the CF mechanism in the CF

Institutional support CFs and networking (cont.)Institutional support CFs and networking (cont.)

Commune Council (CC) is a strong mechanism for Commune Council (CC) is a strong mechanism for local development, therefore it is good opportunity local development, therefore it is good opportunity for the CFs to get support and work closely with for the CFs to get support and work closely with CC in implementation of CFs by-law, management CC in implementation of CFs by-law, management plan, especially in dealing with illegal fishing plan, especially in dealing with illegal fishing activities in CFs area. activities in CFs area.

Many local NGOs work directly to support CFs at Many local NGOs work directly to support CFs at the local level. It is good for CFs to get NGOs the local level. It is good for CFs to get NGOs support, especially for the implementation of the support, especially for the implementation of the management plan.management plan.

Community Fisheries EmpowermentCommunity Fisheries Empowerment

Many activities and projects for CFs capacity Many activities and projects for CFs capacity building have been carried out since the building have been carried out since the beginning of the fisheries reform. beginning of the fisheries reform.

For example:For example:

Community Fisheries Capacity Building Project started from Community Fisheries Capacity Building Project started from 2004 to 2005, supported by IDRC 2004 to 2005, supported by IDRC Capacity Building for Sustainable Developments in Tonle Capacity Building for Sustainable Developments in Tonle Sap Region had been implemented for 3 years stated in Sap Region had been implemented for 3 years stated in 2003 and finished in 2006 (UNDP).2003 and finished in 2006 (UNDP).Capacity Building of Community Fisheries in Coastal Capacity Building of Community Fisheries in Coastal Provinces is one year project 2005-2006 (FAO) Provinces is one year project 2005-2006 (FAO) Tonle Sap of Environment Management Project (TSEMP) Tonle Sap of Environment Management Project (TSEMP)

Community Fisheries Empowerment (Cont.)Community Fisheries Empowerment (Cont.)

TSEMP:TSEMP: This is the government project This is the government project

(ADB loan). The Cambodian (ADB loan). The Cambodian Government had decided to Government had decided to implement this project in order to implement this project in order to strengthen the capacity for CFs, strengthen the capacity for CFs, which is part of the community which is part of the community fisheries empowerment.fisheries empowerment.

5 year operation (2003-2008)5 year operation (2003-2008) Operation in 5 provinces around Operation in 5 provinces around

the Great Lakethe Great Lake 3 Components3 Components Implemented by many agency Implemented by many agency

Ministry of Agriculture Forestry Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment and National Environment and National Mekong CommitteeMekong Committee

Community fisheries Empowerment (Cont.)Community fisheries Empowerment (Cont.)

Tonle Sap Environmental

Management Project

Strengthening Natural Resources Management

and Planning

Organizing Communities for Natural Resources

Management

Building Management Capacity for Biodiversity

Conservation

Initial Activities (activities for all agencies)

1.2 The TSBR is Mapped

1.3 Regulation and Management Planning are Improved

2.1 An Implementation Structure is Formulated

2.2 Communities are Empowered

2.3 Technical Packages in Support of Sustainable Livelihoods Evaluated

NO DOF ACTIVITIES

Component 1

Component 2

Component 3

Community fisheries Empowerment (Cont.)Community fisheries Empowerment (Cont.)Under TSEMP program: Under TSEMP program:

Many training program was organized for the Many training program was organized for the community fisheries development unit of the community fisheries development unit of the provincial fisheries office and for community provincial fisheries office and for community fisheries committees fisheries committees

168 CFs in the Tonle Sap biosphere reserve have 168 CFs in the Tonle Sap biosphere reserve have been strengthened.been strengthened. Most CFs have by-law and internal rule Most CFs have by-law and internal rule Some have fish conservation areaSome have fish conservation area Some started to prepare management plan. Some started to prepare management plan. Some Community Fisheries have been piloted for the Some Community Fisheries have been piloted for the

livelihood activities. livelihood activities.

CFs livelihood DevelopmentCFs livelihood Development

Support for alternative livelihood Support for alternative livelihood in CFs have been implemented in CFs have been implemented through pilot projects:through pilot projects:

Mushroom growing (SEAFDEC Mushroom growing (SEAFDEC project in coastal province) project in coastal province)

Earthworm raising (in Kampong Earthworm raising (in Kampong Thom and Kampong Chhnang Thom and Kampong Chhnang province)province)

Aquaculture ( in coastal and Aquaculture ( in coastal and freshwater provinces)freshwater provinces)

CFs livelihood Development (cont.)CFs livelihood Development (cont.)

Micro credit program Micro credit program have also been done have also been done in many CFs in order in many CFs in order to support CFs to support CFs alternative livelihood.alternative livelihood.

TSEMP allocated about 0.5 million to contract NGOs to TSEMP allocated about 0.5 million to contract NGOs to undertake livelihood project for CFs in the Tonle Sap undertake livelihood project for CFs in the Tonle Sap biosphere reserve biosphere reserve

Tonle Sap sustainable livelihood project (ADB grand):Tonle Sap sustainable livelihood project (ADB grand): Budget for about 20 million Budget for about 20 million 3 years (2007-2009)3 years (2007-2009) 5 provinces around the Great Lake 5 provinces around the Great Lake

Issues Issues CFs in Cambodia is still in the initial stage. Therefore CFs in Cambodia is still in the initial stage. Therefore CFs still lack capacity, skill and finance.CFs still lack capacity, skill and finance.

The concept of the community fisheries is not widely The concept of the community fisheries is not widely aware to all people, therefore the participation on aware to all people, therefore the participation on CFM is still limited in some places. CFM is still limited in some places.

The collaboration from local authority and relevant The collaboration from local authority and relevant institution is still limited. institution is still limited.

Much support had been provided mostly for the Much support had been provided mostly for the Capacity building, but only little support has been Capacity building, but only little support has been provided for CFs development, such as CFs provided for CFs development, such as CFs conservation area, improvement of livelihood.conservation area, improvement of livelihood.

The way forward The way forward Shift of focus from establishment to the Shift of focus from establishment to the strengthening of Community Fisheriesstrengthening of Community Fisheries

Promote regional and national networking to Promote regional and national networking to support the CFs.support the CFs.

Enable CFs how to work closely with the commune Enable CFs how to work closely with the commune council, especially in dealing with illegal fishing council, especially in dealing with illegal fishing activities and implementation of management plan.activities and implementation of management plan.

Promote environmental sound projects/activities to Promote environmental sound projects/activities to support livelihood of CFs that improve socio support livelihood of CFs that improve socio economic welfare of CF members and will economic welfare of CF members and will encourage more participation in CFs management. encourage more participation in CFs management.