Socioeconomics and livelihood values of Tonle Sap Lake fisheries

Abstract

The importance of fisheries of the Tonle Sap Lake is indisputable, given the high contribution of about 60 percent to the total inland fisheries production. What may not be well recognized is the importance of Tonle Sap aquatic ecosystem to the livelihoods of over one million people living in and around the areas who rely heavily, if not entirely, on the resources. This synopsis draws on recent studies to provide estimates of values of fisheries and aquatic resources to local communities in the five provinces bordering the Tonle Sap Lake, i.e., Siem Reap, Battambang, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang and Kampong Thom. The synthesis reveals that all households in these areas engage in diverse income generating and livelihood activities, including fishing, fish processing, fish marketing, fish culture, farming, daily labour and firewood collection, regardless of their primary occupation.