In Cambodia, a fisherman named Em Phat, aged 53, is raising eels as a new source of income, as climate change and environmental degradation have severely impacted the fisheries of the Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest lake. Once the world’s most productive inland fishery, the Tonle Sap has seen a significant decline in fish populations due to deforestation, illegal fishing, and the construction of dams along the Mekong River. This has forced many fishermen to seek alternative livelihoods. Phat has turned to eel farming, a practice gaining popularity due to the high demand for eels in markets such as China, Japan, and South Korea. The initiative is supported by a program led by the British nonprofit VSO, which provides fishermen with eel farming skills and supplies to enhance their income potential.

Raising eels, while potentially profitable, poses numerous challenges. Eels require constant access to clean, oxygenated water and specialized diets, and are vulnerable to diseases. Phat, for example, lost many eels during a power outage that disabled his oxygen pumps. Nevertheless, experts, including Zeb Hogan, a fish biologist at the University of Nevada, believe that aquaculture could provide a sustainable solution for fishermen affected by the declining fish stocks. The Cambodian government has also signed trade agreements to boost exports of eels and other fish to international markets, contributing to economic growth. Additionally, the expansion of eel farming could create opportunities for knowledge transfer among local communities, fostering a more resilient economy.