Rice-field fisheries are an important source of food and income for rural households in Cambodia, providing 50-250 kg of fish per family per year. However, the intensification of rice cultivation through practices like increased pesticide use, changes in water management, and construction of irrigation infrastructure negatively impacts habitats and fish populations. While policies aim to increase rice production and fish catches, the mutually exclusive priorities could reduce aquatic productivity in rice fields. Potential options to mitigate these risks include reducing pesticide use, improving water management practices, establishing refuges, and involving local communities. Further research is needed to better understand the tradeoffs and ensure the benefits of intensification are distributed equitably.