Training on Community Fish Refuge (CFR) Management

Abstract

From 24–29 August 2025, the CGIAR Initiative on Scaling for Impact (S4I) organized capacity-building program focused on strengthening Community Fish Refuge (CFR) management in Prey Veng and Kampong Thom provinces. This training was designed to enhance community-led fisheries governance, improve the ecological management of rice-field fisheries systems, and reinforce coordination between key institutions, including the Fisheries Administration (FiA), District Agriculture Offices, and local community bodies. The program responded to the growing need for stronger community capacity in managing shared aquatic resources, especially as climate variability increasingly affects water availability, fish abundance, and local livelihoods. By equipping CFR committees with practical skills and technical knowledge, the initiative aimed to support more resilient, productive, and well-governed rice-field fisheries landscapes. Two main training events were conducted on 25, 26, and 28 August 2025, hosted at Theay Community Hall and the Taung Krasang Water User Community Hall. These sessions brought together CFR committee members, commune authorities, village representatives, and technical officers who play central roles in aquatic resource management. A total of 59 participants attended the training, including 33 participants in Prey Veng (5 women) and 26 participants in Kampong Thom (7 women), providing a diverse group of local actors committed to strengthening CFR management in their communities.