Comparative Review of Laws and Regulations concerning Fisheries, Habitat Management and related Aspects between Cambodia and Lao PDR and between Cambodia and Viet Nam

Abstract

The present report, developed under the SEAFDEC-Sweden Program (2013-2017), contains a two-tier comparative study on fisheries legislation between Cambodia and Lao PDR, on the one hand, and between Cambodia and Viet Nam, on the other. The first part of the legal review presents the international and regional framework for fisheries and habitat management, reporting on the status of ratification of the relevant international conventions by the three countries and on membership in relevant regional bodies. The second part of the legal review addresses the domestic framework for fisheries in each country and provides a comparative outlook of the current development strategies adopted by national governments, of the institutions governing the sector, and of the laws and regulations in place. The latter section offers two detailed comparative analyses focusing on inland fisheries and aquaculture legislation in force in Cambodia and Lao PDR, and on marine capture fisheries legislation in force in Cambodia and Viet Nam, with the support of two comparative matrices annexed to the report. The comparative analyses are based on the national legal reports and matrices compiled by national experts under the project, and on the feedback provided by national authorities during the consultative workshops held in the project areas. The last section of the report summarizes the main findings and conclusions of the comparative analyses, and recommends a number of actions to harmonize the current national frameworks – most of which may be taken under existing arrangements – in order to ensure sustainable fisheries management and counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in transboundary areas.