Local villagers attend a traditional fish-catching ceremony in a lake in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on Feb. 8, 2026. (Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua)
SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Local villager Loeung Pich was thrilled on Sunday when he caught a medium-sized snakehead fish weighing about 2 kg during a traditional fish-catching ceremony held at a protected lake here in Northwest Cambodia.
Using traditional fishing gear called Angrut, a type of plunge basket made of bamboo strips, to hunt fish, the 58-year-old man said it was the first time he caught a big fish after having taken part in this annual event for many years.
"For me, the fish is big. I have never gotten such a big fish in the catch in previous years," he told Xinhua while holding up the fish with both hands. "I'm really excited, as it will be a delicious food for my family's lunch today."
Loeung Pich is one of thousands of local people participating in this age-old fish-catching tradition, in which the participants were required to use traditional fishing gears such as Angrut and Chhnieng Dai (wedge-shaped scoop baskets) as well as nylon nets only to scoop up their catch.
Held at a protected lake in Bangkoang village in Prasat Bakong district, the participants waded in thigh-deep muddy water to catch fish, as some grilled the catch over a smoldering fire and ate it by the lakeside.
"This event has not only preserved the ancient tradition of catching fish, but also created a joyful atmosphere for local people and foreign tourists," Loeung Pich said.
Another local participant, Chhoy Chhay, said he netted about 5 kg of fish in this year's event.
"I'm very happy to partake in this event as it is crucial to show younger generations and tourists about the traditional techniques of catching fish," he told Xinhua.
Chhoy Chhay said this vivid tradition had brought participants and visitors back to the ancient scene of fish-catching.
Prasat Bakong district governor So Platong said the event has helped attract both local and foreign tourists to Siem Reap province, home to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park.
"This is the tradition and custom of our Angkor villagers, who have always celebrated it every February after a rice harvest season," he told reporters at the event. "As it's our age-old tradition, we have to do our best to preserve it for younger generations."
Platong said every year, tens of thousands of fish fry, mostly snakehead fish and catfish, were freed into the lake and fishing in the lake was restricted prior to the ceremony in order to ensure an abundant catch for the event.
Fish is a main source of protein for the population in the Southeast Asian country.
According to the ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, fish accounted for 76 percent of household protein intake in the kingdom, as the fisheries sector played a vital role in ensuring food security.
It is estimated that Cambodians consume an average of 52.4 kg of fish per person each year. ■
Local villagers attend a traditional fish-catching ceremony in a lake in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on Feb. 8, 2026. (Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua)
A man collects fish from his fishing net during a traditional fish-catching ceremony in a lake in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on Feb. 8, 2026. (Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua)
A local villager casts his fishing net during a traditional fish-catching ceremony in a lake in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, on Feb. 8, 2026. (Photo by Sao Khuth/Xinhua)