25 January 2024, Phnom Penh:  Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration (FiA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and four of Cambodia’s universities held a seminar on 25 January 2024, to celebrate a two-year partnership that is helping to enhance fisheries management through improved education and research. 

The partnership has seen FiA and FAO supporting the Royal University of Agriculture, the Prek Leap National Institute of Agriculture, the Kampong Cham National Institute of Agriculture and the University of Kratie since 2022 through three initiatives: an internship programme with FiA cantonments; support for the update of the curriculum for Bachelor of Science degree; and a programme of field visits for students.

The three initiatives are being implemented with funding from the European Union under FAO Complementary Support to Cambodia Program for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector (CAPFISH-Capture). They fall within a specific component focusing on improved knowledge for fisheries management, which includes support to priority research activities. The seminar provided a platform for stakeholders to take stock of developments and achievements from the three initiatives.

Supporting improved knowledge for fisheries management

"The support to the programme of internships in fisheries is aimed at promoting the emergence of a new generation of technicians and scientists who will work for a sustainable management of the fish resource in Cambodia," said Mr. Everaert Koen, Deputy Head of Cooperation for the EU Delegation. 

Under the internship programme each student receives a grant of USD 3 000 to cover research costs for a semester. Students also receive a monthly allowance of USD 500 over a semester, which covers their internship period when they are attached to FiA cantonments.

The internship programme has supported 37 students from the four universities to undertake research in fisheries topics identified by FiA cantonments across 20 coastal and inland provinces.

“This internship programme allows students to learn in professional conditions and our cantonments to benefit from the workforce and knowledge of fresh students. Both contribute to better local fisheries management. Our vision is to develop science-based fisheries management in the long term while building the capacity of our staff," said H.E. Poum Sotha, Delegate of the Royal Government, Director General of FiA.

The support to fisheries curriculum revision on the other hand is undertaken through a series of consultations with four participating universities. Revision of curriculum seeks to ensure that universities deliver up-to-date quality education in fisheries that meets the demands of the job market. This fisheries curriculum revision will contribute to enhancing fisheries management in the country by shaping and equipping a generation of young professionals with relevant skills and knowledge.

“The support to university curriculum in fisheries allows for updating of the content of courses and lessons while adjusting to changes and demand in the sector. This ensures that university students are provided with up-to-date knowledge and skills that best fit the current job market demands. The curriculum update process supported by the European Union covers fisheries science and aquaculture," said Prof. Dr Ngo Bunthan, Rector of Royal University of Agriculture.

The January 25 seminar was held at Sunway Hotel in Phnom Penh. It brought together 200 actors and stakeholders from the fisheries sector including representatives from FiA and FiA cantonments, academics, students, and the EU Delegation.

“Through this seminar, we want to draw lessons from this programme and pave the way for a continued implementation of a win-win programme,” said Eric Baran, International Fisheries Research Specialist at FAO Cambodia.

He added that the seminar will also provide a platform for participants to engage in discussions on the sustainability of this programme.

Strengthening of research and education in fisheries is one of the multiple activities which are being implemented as part of FAO complementary support to the Cambodia Programme for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth in the Fisheries Sector. The CAPFISH-Capture programme is aimed at achieving a more sustainable, climate resilient and inclusive development of Cambodia freshwater and marine fisheries and is being implemented from 2019 to 2024 by FiA and FAO.