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13. A wonderful catch |
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Tonle Sap: Source of Lives
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What fishing equipment is used? Fishing in Tonle Sap lake involves a wide range of techniques. The Fisheries Law not only bans the use of lights, electricity, explosives etc, but also details the type of equipment to be used in each of the three categories of fishing. Barrage traps, bamboo fence traps and bag nets are allowed for industrial fishing. More than 20 types of nets, traps, and hooks have been authorized for medium-scale fishing. As for small-scale fishermen, they mainly use harpoons, spears, traps, single hook lines and a variety of nets. Women usually repair or make them during the rainy season, which is also the low season for fishing. |
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There are three types of fishing Apart from fish-farming, which should not be underestimated, fishing on the lake takes three forms. The largest one is industrial or commercial fishing. It mainly involves "lots" or large-scale concessions, which until recently were allocated through an auction system every two years for private exploitation. While the lots used to cover nearly 80% of the lake, leaving little room for villagers, the system has been under revision since late 2000 and some lots have been redistributed to local fishermen. Medium-scale fishing takes place outside the lots, and a license is required. Medium and large-scale fishing is officially banned from June to September. On the contrary, family or small-scale fishing goes on all year. It is carried out by farmers and villagers and is the biggest of the three categories of fishing. As you might expect, conflicts often arise between local fishermen and the lot owners over the delineation of fishing zones and their respective rights. |
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The cult of Neakta Tonle Sap's inhabitants worship different kinds of spirits, called neakta, which are believed to be the ghosts of the area's first inhabitants. All the neakta have their own stories. They are embodied in statues, stones, trees and simple altars. The neakta of the waters are of great significance for fishermen. In times of uncertainty or hardship, people call out to a neakta through a medium (rup) and make offerings to him to get guidance and also for abundant fishing. [next] |
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