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Bycatch, Human Consumption Hurting Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake Water Snakes

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The Growing Conflict between Humans and Water Snakes in Tonle Sap Lake

The Tonle Sap Lake, a vital ecosystem and the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, is facing a critical situation due to the growing conflict between humans and water snakes. The slithery water snakes are falling victim to bycatch and the rising commercial demand, from human consumption to feeding crocodiles, is slowly depleting the snakes in the lake.

The Importance of Water Snakes in Tonle Sap Lake’s Biodiversity

Marine conservationists emphasize the importance of water snakes in the lake’s biodiversity, serving as prey for predators, helping regulate aquatic species, and providing resources for local communities. They are critical to the ecosystem’s health and stability.

Threats to the Water Snake Population

The current rate of catching water snakes is not sustainable, says Christel Griffioen, Country Director of the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity. The snakes are caught during their breeding seasons, making it harder for them to recover and potentially leading to further declines. Some species, like the endemic Tonle Sap water snake (Enhydris longicauda), are still common but face growing risks due to overharvesting for crocodile farms, food, and trade.

Conservation Efforts

The Angkor Centre and the School for Field Studies, with the support of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, have been conducting extensive studies to assess the water snake population in Tonle Sap Lake since 2019. The timing is crucial as increasing pressure on the lake’s resources, habitat changes due to altered hydrology, and seasonal harvesting are threatening these species, including the vulnerable Tonle Sap water snake that is endemic to the lake.

Local Communities’ Role

Local communities in some areas are turning to water snakes as an alternative source of protein, and the snakes have become a popular dish served as cooked dry meat sold in rural stalls. Fishermen also sell to snake traders to supplement their income as the niche market is growing. However, this has resulted in water snakes being frequently caught as bycatch alongside fish, making them a convenient and accessible resource for local communities.

Call to Action

To protect these snakes, it is essential to reduce harvesting during their breeding seasons, avoid catching large female snakes that produce many young, and educate communities about the species that are in danger, says Griffioen.

Conclusion

The conflict between humans and water snakes in Tonle Sap Lake is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention. It is crucial to address the root causes of the conflict and implement measures to protect the water snake population, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the lake’s ecosystem.

FAQs

Q: Why are water snakes important to the lake’s biodiversity?
A: Water snakes are critical to the lake’s biodiversity, serving as prey for predators, helping regulate aquatic species, and providing resources for local communities.

Q: What is the current threat to the water snake population?
A: The current rate of catching water snakes is not sustainable, and the snakes are being overharvested for crocodile farms, food, and trade.

Q: What can be done to protect the water snake population?
A: Reducing harvesting during breeding seasons, avoiding catching large female snakes that produce many young, and educating communities about the species that are in danger.

Q: How can local communities be involved in conserving the water snake population?
A: Local communities can be educated about the importance of protecting the water snake population and can participate in sustainable harvesting practices, such as catching snakes only during non-breeding seasons.

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