Freshwater aquaculture Aquaculture is practised, but the predominant culture systems depend on capture fisheries for seed. Seed of all sizes obtained from capture fishery are raised in cages and ponds. Catfish is the most important cultured genus. The origin of this practice is believed to be an age old tradition of holding wild, high-value species in cages during the fishing season for later sale in Phnom Penh and Viet Nam. Small fingerlings are also caught in very large numbers in the Mekong River and transported to nursery ponds throughout the Mekong Delta.
Aquaculture based on spawning in captivity is present, but rather limited.
Carp species predominate but tilapias are also present. Only a very few hatcheries are producing fry and fingerlings. A substantial part of marine landings comes from small-scale and subsistence fisheries. Most of the landings are distributed and consumed in the coastal zone due to the lack of proper infrastructure and to the inland people s preference for freshwater fish. According to market value, the freshwater fish can be divided into three grades, the criteria being species, size and freshness.