Fishing gears, fishing grounds, target species and labor forces of marine small-scale fishery in Kampot Province, Cambodia

Abstract

As a first academic action, the field survey targeting marine small-scale fishery was conducted in Trapeang Ropov and Trapeang Sangkae villages of Tuek Chhou district, Kampot province, Cambodia. In the two villages, 56.43% and 16.69% of households conducting fishing as a main job, and data and information were collected from 60 out of 544 households of fishers. The data and information can show the current situation of their fishery including fishing gears, fishing grounds, target species and operations with their opinions regarding tolerance on the decline of fish by new regulations. There were 11 types of fishing gears including 5 different types of gillnets. 14 species were mainly targeted for the small-scale fishing, and it was found that these species have different profitability depending on the fishing grounds and fishing gear. In offshore fishing, large catches can be expected, but annual catch fluctuations were high. On the other hand, in near the shore, fishery catch would be stable at low level, but women can participate.