Guidelines for community fish refuge-rice field fisheries system management in Cambodia

Abstract

Community Fish Refuge - Rice Field Fishery (CFR–RFF) systems managed under the Rice Field Fisheries Enhancement (RFFE) project have been shown to contribute to a 71% increase in annual average fish catch by households in the poorest quintile. The aim of these guidelines is to document good practices in CFR-RFF system management, and thus act as a resource for organizational stakeholders wishing to support fish conservation, food security and nutrition in such environments. These guidelines provide evidence-based step-by-step guidance for selecting existing water bodies and the surrounding communities; conducting needs assessment and action planning with stakeholders, including FiA and other local government and community residents; and training and supporting communities to plan and conduct improvements to physical environments and sustainably manage these environments.