Vietnamese Trawlers Accused of Plundering Cambodian Seas

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Khmer Times/Jack Laurenson

From the shoreline next to Kep’s iconic seafood and fish market, the huge Vietnamese-controlled island of Phú Quốc looms in the distance. It feels almost close enough to reach out and touch. As the sun sets, the channel between Cambodia and this contentious neighboring island comes alive with the flickering, multi-colored lights of hundreds of fishing boats.

Engines hum and buzz in the distance as a nightly battle for the sea’s valuable resources commences. According to local fishermen and marine-life experts, the vast majority of these vessels are Vietnamese; and their methods and over-fishing are causing havoc with the coast’s vital fishing economy and jeopardizing important conservation efforts.

Rival Fishing Industries

To some here, Phú Quốc is regarded as rightful sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia – some opposition politicians here still claim it as such – but others regard it merely as a greedy tyrant on their near horizon. “Our fishermen here have to go further and further to catch good crab and fish now,” says one Khmer restaurant owner.

read more: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/17006/vietnamese-trawlers-accused-of-plundering-cambodian-seas/