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Introduction to Tonle Sap Lake
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Tonle Sap Lake is the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia, and is considered one of the most productive, as well the most intensively fished, fisheries in the world. In 2000, the catch was estimated to be over 200,000 tons and worth over US$100 million. The Lake also provides a harvest of other aquatic animals to local fishing communities including shrimps, snakes, eels, and shellfish. The exceptional fisheries productivity is the result of the Lakes unique hydrology and extensive floodplains. During the dry season (November to May) water drains from the lake into the Mekong River via the Tonle Sap River, and during the wet season (June to October) the Mekong River waters rise, reversing the direction of flow in the Tonle Sap River and swelling the Tonle sap lake to around four-five times its surface area from 2,500-3,000 km2 to 10-15,000 km2 . The inundation of the surrounding forest yields high nutrient levels that foster fish spawning and growth. It is estimated that between 1 and 3 million people depend directly on the fisheries resources of Tonle Sap Lake for their livelihood. Beyond this, Tonle Sap Lake is a resource of national importance providing food security (fish from the Lake provide 40-70% of the protein intake of the Cambodian population), national revenue, and cultural identity. Recognizing Tonle Sap Lake and its flood plain's unique conservation value it was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in October 1997 by Royal Decree. |
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