TAKEO, Cambodia, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Tuesday released roughly 1.5 million baby fish and other young aquatic creatures into a natural lake in the country's southern part to mark the 20th National Fish Day.
Speaking at the ceremony, Hun Manet said the annual event was to inspire people to safeguard and preserve fish species in natural habitats and to increase aquaculture.
Meanwhile, Hun Manet urged fishermen not to fish during the fish breeding season from June to late October and encouraged farmers to expand aquaculture in order to reduce the catches of natural fish.
Dith Tina, minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, said more than 20 kinds of aquatic creatures including fish, shrimps, tortoises, and turtles were freed into the Tonle Bati lake in Bati district. ■