Cambodia covers a total area of 181,035 km2 and shares its international borders with Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The coastline length is around 435 km and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) covers 55,600 km2 in the Gulf of Thailand.
The fisheries sector plays a crucial role in the economy and food security of the country. In 2021, the gross domestic product from fisheries was 7-8 %, and the fish available for consumption was 52.4 kg/capita. The Fisheries Administration (FiA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is the responsible agency for fisheries. The vision of FiA is the management, conservation, and development of sustainable utilization of fisheries resources aimed at contributing to people’s food security and socioeconomic development in order to enhance people’s livelihoods and the nation’s prosperity.
The primary sources of fish are the Great Lake, Mekong River, and Bassac River; while the secondary sources are the coastal areas of the Gulf of Thailand. Inland fisheries significantly contribute to total fisheries production, while marine fisheries have been developing slowly and aquaculture is considered to have great potential for increasing fisheries production in the country.
Total fishery production of Cambodia by quantity (MT)
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Total | 856,400 | 936,300 | 969,098 | 943,205 | 857,018 | 808,550 | 731,889 |
Capture Fisheries | 508,050 | 535,900 | 661,690 | 689,155 | 649,518 | 636,050 | 588,889 |
Marine Capture | 125,000 | 122,700 | 137,225 | 153,600 | 121,025 | 126,700 | 100,984 |
Inland Capture | 383,050 | 413,200 | 524,465 | 535,555 | 528,493 | 509,350 | 487,905 |
Aquaculture | 348,350 | 400,400 | 307,408 | 254,050 | 207,500 | 172,500 | 143,000 |
Source: Fishery Statistical Bulletin of Southeast Asia 2021
Total fishery products of Cambodia by value (US$ 1,000)
Year | Export | Import | ||
Quantity (MT) | Value (US$ 1,000) | Quantity (MT) | Value (US$ 1,000) | |
2021 | 31,860 | 65,434 | 67,540 | 55,017 |
2020 | 32,747 | 65,348 | 32,052 | 32,871 |
2019 | 33,297 | 66,322 | 32,354 | 31,756 |
2018 | 41,969 | 85,306 | 18,937 | 26,991 |
2017 | 37,007 | 75,361 | 24,118 | 28,748 |
2016 | 32,201 | 65,442 | 24,482 | 20,571 |
2015 | 32,664 | 66,046 | 19,890 | 17,363 |
Source: FAO Fishery and Aquaculture Information and Statistics Service