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1. Cambodia’s Experiences with Rights-based ApproachesCambodia’s Experiences with Rights-based Approaches::
Community Fisheries ManagementCommunity Fisheries Management
Presented by
Mrs. Kaing Khim
Deputy Director General of Fisheries Administration (FiA)
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Cambodia

2. Outline for the PresentationOutline for the Presentation
• IntroductionIntroduction
• Why move to a user rights system?Why move to a user rights system?
- The First Reform of Fishery Sector- The First Reform of Fishery Sector
- Before the First Reform of Fishery Sector- Before the First Reform of Fishery Sector
- The Second/Deep Reform of Fishery Sector- The Second/Deep Reform of Fishery Sector
• Legal frameworkLegal framework
• Rights of Community FisheriesRights of Community Fisheries
• Positive ChangesPositive Changes
• Main ChallengesMain Challenges
• Way ForwardWay Forward

3. Map of CambodiaMap of Cambodia

4. IntroductionIntroduction
 The fisheries sector is a major contributor to poverty reduction,
employment, food security, and national economic growth
(8-12 % of GDP).
 Three types of fishing gears used:
1). Small-scale fishing gears (year round);
2). Middle-scale (opening season), and
3). Large-scale (industrial) fishing gears (opening season).
 Conflicts between small-scale and large-scale fishers
 1st
Fisheries reform in 2000; 469 Community Fisheries (CFi)
established
 2nd
fisheries reform in 2012; 516 CFi established for:
User collective rights/rights-based approaches

5. Before the First Reform of Fishery SectorBefore the First Reform of Fishery Sector
Prior to 2000:Prior to 2000:
• Concept of Community Based Natural Resource Management was appliedConcept of Community Based Natural Resource Management was applied
for the 1for the 1stst
time in Cambodia by Development Partners (DP):time in Cambodia by Development Partners (DP):
- Community Fisheries in Siem Reap province supported by FAO (1999)Community Fisheries in Siem Reap province supported by FAO (1999)
- Community Fisheries establishment in some provinces in the upperCommunity Fisheries establishment in some provinces in the upper
Mekong provinces, supported by Oxfam GB and Oxfam America (1998)Mekong provinces, supported by Oxfam GB and Oxfam America (1998)
- Community coastal resource management, supported by DANIDACommunity coastal resource management, supported by DANIDA
(1999).(1999).
• There was no government policy on community fisheries yet, so the processThere was no government policy on community fisheries yet, so the process
of Community Fisheries (CFi) establishment was different from one place toof Community Fisheries (CFi) establishment was different from one place to
another depending on DP’s experiences.another depending on DP’s experiences.

6. Why move to a user right-system?Why move to a user right-system?
Open Access for
small-scale
(Poor) FishingFishing
lot Arealot Area
(rich)(rich)
Serious
Conflict
Conflicts between small-scale and large-scale fishers;
 Population growth, led to demand increased,
 Over fishing etc.
Government decided to reform fisheries management
Complainted by
small-scale fishers

7. The First Reform of Fishery SectorThe First Reform of Fishery Sector
• In October 2000, the Royal Government of Cambodia
decided to abolish and release about 56.74 % of the total
fishing lot area equivalent to 541,206 ha, to local users
(small scale fishers).
• Encouraged establishment of CFi’s throughout the country
for both freshwater and coastal fisheries.
• Provided legal framework for CFi: fishery law amendment,
Royal decree, sub-decree, and guidelines.
469 CFi established.

8. The Deep Fisheries Reform (2012):The Deep Fisheries Reform (2012):
• One decade of 1One decade of 1stst
reform have given the good lessonsreform have given the good lessons
learnt and experiences;learnt and experiences;
• Then, remain fishing lots (Then, remain fishing lots (412,534 ha)412,534 ha) were abolished:were abolished:
- 315,152 ha, equivalent to 76.37%,315,152 ha, equivalent to 76.37%, were handed over towere handed over to
local fishers for their participation and responsibility inlocal fishers for their participation and responsibility in
management and sustainable utilization of the fisherymanagement and sustainable utilization of the fishery
resources.resources.
- 97,503 ha, equivalent to 23.63%97,503 ha, equivalent to 23.63% were kept forwere kept for
conservation of the fish broodstock.conservation of the fish broodstock.
• Allowed gears for Family FishingAllowed gears for Family Fishing
were increased in terms of numberwere increased in terms of number
and length.and length.
The Second/Deep Reform of Fishery SectorThe Second/Deep Reform of Fishery Sector

9. The First and the Second ReformThe First and the Second Reform
97,503 hectares (10.23%)97,503 hectares (10.23%)
set asideset aside
for conservationfor conservation10.2310.23%%
158158 Fishing lots abolished=Fishing lots abolished=953,861953,861
hectareshectares
856.358 hectares (89.77%)856.358 hectares (89.77%)
for CFi’s management (usesfor CFi’s management (uses
and conservation)and conservation)

10. Fishing Area ReformedFishing Area Reformed

11. Centralization (Top-down management)Centralization (Top-down management)
Fisheries Management in CambodiaFisheries Management in Cambodia
Fisheries Co-ManagementFisheries Co-Management
Decentralization and DeconcentrationDecentralization and Deconcentration
User Rights/collective rightsUser Rights/collective rights throughthrough
Community Fisheries establishment and managementCommunity Fisheries establishment and management
Before reformBefore reform
After reform

12. Legal FrameworkLegal Framework
• Royal Decree on the Establishment of CFiRoyal Decree on the Establishment of CFi
• The Law on Fisheries (Chapter 11)The Law on Fisheries (Chapter 11)
• Sub decree on CFi ManagementSub decree on CFi Management
• Ministerial proclamation on CFi Guidelines,Ministerial proclamation on CFi Guidelines,
including 4 document models:including 4 document models:
- By-lawBy-law
- Internal ruleInternal rule
- AgreementAgreement
- Management Plan.Management Plan.

13. Legal FrameworkLegal Framework
• Roles, rights and obligations of CFi
and government are clearly defined
in the sub decree on CFi
management.
• CFi’s are lead by their
representatives called CFi
Committee (CFiC)
• CFiC is formed by the election of
local people
• The mandate of CFiC is five years
• CFiC member is an odd number: 5;
7; 11 people.

15. The Rights of the CFiThe Rights of the CFi
• The CFi area is state-owned property but responsibilities and rightsThe CFi area is state-owned property but responsibilities and rights
are given to CFi’s to manage and use the natural resources in aare given to CFi’s to manage and use the natural resources in a
sustainable and equitable manner, through CFi Area Agreement.sustainable and equitable manner, through CFi Area Agreement.
CFi has the rights toCFi has the rights to
(art. 11 of the sub-decree)(art. 11 of the sub-decree)::
• Organize fishing activities in accordanceOrganize fishing activities in accordance
with fisheries law, other relevant rules andwith fisheries law, other relevant rules and
regulation;regulation;
• The community can do aquaculture, fish processsing, alternativeThe community can do aquaculture, fish processsing, alternative
livelihoods and manage all fisheries resources in accordance withlivelihoods and manage all fisheries resources in accordance with
internal rules, the agreement andinternal rules, the agreement and
CFi Area Mangement Plan (CFiAMP);CFi Area Mangement Plan (CFiAMP);
• Combat illegal fishing activities inCombat illegal fishing activities in
collaboration FiA line agencies and localcollaboration FiA line agencies and local
authorities.authorities.

16. CFi Map
3,044 ha

17. The CFi members have the rights to:The CFi members have the rights to:
• Participate in the meeting, CFi congressParticipate in the meeting, CFi congress
• Participate and can be the candidate for the election of CFiCParticipate and can be the candidate for the election of CFiC
• Receive information about the socio-economic performanceReceive information about the socio-economic performance
of the CFi from the CFiCof the CFi from the CFiC
• Propose to organize a congress for discussion and make aPropose to organize a congress for discussion and make a
decision on any matterdecision on any matter
• Propose to put issues useful for the communityPropose to put issues useful for the community
on the agenda of a congresson the agenda of a congress
• Do family fishing in line with fishery law,Do family fishing in line with fishery law,
and other relevant legal frameworkand other relevant legal framework
• Participate in all CFiParticipate in all CFi ‘‘s activitiess activities
• Complain about all matters impacting on the fisheryComplain about all matters impacting on the fishery
resources and the community to the authority and FiA (articleresources and the community to the authority and FiA (article
13).13).
The Rights of the CFi (Con’t)The Rights of the CFi (Con’t)

18. Positive ChangesPositive Changes
Social aspect
• The awareness of the local people on the role of the CFis and value of
CFi management are increasing =>
Understood their important and value roles and responsibilities
for their fisheries resources management.
• Access rights to fishery resources by fishers are more secure;
• Both non illiterate and literate people having equal right and no
discrimination to be CFi members;
• There is overall increase in participation of men, women and youth of the
fish related activities and conservation activities;
=> CFis have been building trusts, unity and fostering cooperation in
the community. This function is important, even more than catching
fish!

19. Positive ChangesPositive Changes
Environmental aspect
• The flooded forest and fishery resources in the CFi fishing
area are better protected;
• 381 fish sanctuary zones established and protected by CFi.
• CFi members have shown that conservation to be the
key to resource sustainability and were willing to take
concrete actions to achieve this (not only words). The
role of women in promoting this achievement has been
significant.

20. Positive ChangesPositive Changes
Economic aspect
• Fisheries resources and production have increased;
• The CFi members are composed of persons with multiple and
diverse occupational activities. Fishing is the full time activity of
only about quarter of the CFi membership;
• Related fisheries livelihoods/alternative livelihoods of CFi
members are implemented, increasing and improving
nowadays (fisheries eco-tourism, crab bank,
women fish processing groups… )
• The cash income from fishing of the CFi members is very
modest.

21. MainMain ChallengesChallenges
 CFi ‘s Capacity:CFi ‘s Capacity:
• Most CFi still depend on external supportMost CFi still depend on external support
• CFi lack budget and resources to implement activitiesCFi lack budget and resources to implement activities
• CFi Committees perform their roles on aCFi Committees perform their roles on a
volunteer basis and there is no regularvolunteer basis and there is no regular
incentive sources;incentive sources;
• Capacities of CFi committees areCapacities of CFi committees are
still limited.still limited.
 Other development and illegal fishing activities:Other development and illegal fishing activities:
• In some cases, the CFi fishing areas are impacted byIn some cases, the CFi fishing areas are impacted by
private land encroachment and other developments.private land encroachment and other developments.
• Illegal fishing activities still occur in most of CFis.Illegal fishing activities still occur in most of CFis.

22. CFi is a local unique institution for the fisheries governance’s tenure
(through free election and voluntary);
 It has two times of fisheries reform and made it a people-oriented
small-scale fishery through User Rights based approaches;
CFi Area Agreement created the clear tenure rights (not for land
tenure). These include boundary mapping and demarcation of fishing
ground;
It has functioned for one decade and needs to function for more to
bring the benefits to all CFi members for poverty alleviation;
The prime objective of the 2000 Fishery Reform was to ensure that the rural
communities of Cambodia obtain access to fish for food and livelihoods.
This objective has been substantially achieved and was reflected in the deep
reform in early 2012 by the government, abolished all fishing lots in the
country. The “fishery success” must however be viewed against the
overwhelming and the continued importance of agriculture for the members of
the Community Fisheries.
Key Lessons LearntKey Lessons Learnt

23. Ways ForwardWays Forward
• Support the process of CFi registration
• Strengthen the collaboration between the CFi’s and the
Commune councils
• Amendment of the Law on Fisheries and Sub decree on
CFi management aiming at self-financing, self-
implementation, gradual empowerment of CFi’s and
rights based approaches.
• Promote regional, national and sub-national networking
to support the CFi’s;
• Promote the CFi’s to implement CFiAMP activities
by their own initiative and self-financial creation.

24. Thank You!Thank You!