AKP Phnom Penh, April 06, 2025 — NatureLife Cambodia has successfully organised an insightful exposure and study visit connecting urban inland fish business owners from Phnom Penh with a local fish processing site in the Tuol Neang Sav Phlov Luong Community, situated within the Stung Sen Ramsar Site in Kampong Thom province.

The initiative aimed to strengthen partnerships between the private sector and local fishery communities, emphasising sustainable practices and the crucial role of biodiversity conservation, according to announced by NatureLife Cambodia’s news release on April 5,

Three business owners from Phnom Penh’s urban centres participated in the visit, gaining firsthand experience of the community’s inland fish processing operations. A key focus was the production of smoked fish, where the urban entrepreneurs learned about the technical processes and sustainable methods employed by the local community, all of which are in line with conservation principles.

The visit fostered a valuable exchange of knowledge and ideas between the business owners and the community producers.

Discussions centeed on strategies to enhance product quality and hygiene standards to better cater to the demands of urban consumers. Potential improvements in packaging and opportunities for product diversification were also explored in detail.

A significant component of the exposure visit was a tour of the adjacent flooded forest area. This vital ecosystem within the Tonle Sap region serves as a crucial breeding ground for numerous inland fish species and represents a high-priority area for conservation efforts undertaken by the local community.

The firsthand experience in this ecologically significant area deepened the entrepreneurs' understanding of the importance of inland fish and their connection to community-based conservation initiatives. The visit underscored how sustainable collaboration can simultaneously support local livelihoods and environmental preservation.

This collaborative effort yielded mutual advantages for both the urban business owners and the local community producers. The community gained valuable insights into market requirements and quality expectations prevalent in urban centres. Simultaneously, the business owners acquired a more profound understanding of the journey their products undertake from origin to market, appreciating the value chain and the ecological context of their sourcing. It is anticipated that such engagements will lead to a better alignment of inland fish production with market demands, fostering a sustainable and mutually beneficial long-term partnership.

NatureLife Cambodia extended its sincere appreciation to the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and Oxfam-Fair for All for their generous financial support, which made this impactful initiative possible. This visit represents a significant step towards promoting sustainable practices within the inland fish industry and fostering a greater appreciation for biodiversity conservation in Cambodia.

By K. Rithy Reak