Release of ‘Small Fish’ Continues Amid Fishing Lots Cancellation

8 March 2012
The Cambodia Daily
Agriculture and fishing / Environment and natural resources / Fishing, fisheries and aquaculture / Rivers and lakes / Siem Reap / Water resources
Banteay Meanchey / Battambang / election / Fish / fisheries / Fishing / fishing lots / Kompong Chhnang / Kompong Thom / Pursat / Siem Reap

Days after Prime Minister Hun Sen announced a blanket pardon for all suspects and convicts jailed for small-time fisheries crimes, the premier yesterday signed into effect an expected sub-decree canceling fishing lots across the country. Last month, Mr. Hun Sen announced that he would cancel the lots in order to increase stocks for subsistence fishermen. In an eight-article sub-decree signed yesterday, Mr. Hun Sen ordered the immediate cancellation of lots in Battambang, Siem Reap, Pursat, Kompong Chhnang and Kompong Thom provinces. Lots in Banteay Meanchey are ordered cancelled on April 10. … Legal experts have raised concern over the pardon, saying it sidesteps due process and was likely a bid to improve the government’s standing with the public during an election year. …