The ASA/WISHH-supported Cambodian Aquaculturalist Association (CAA) Board of Directors held its first meeting July 2 after receiving its official registration from the Royal Government of Cambodia Ministry of Interior.

The ASA/WISHH-supported Cambodian Aquaculturalist Association (CAA) Board of Directors held its first meeting July 2 after receiving its official registration from the Royal Government of Cambodia Ministry of Interior.

The launch and development of the association is key to WISHH’s strategy under the USDA-funded Commercialization of Aquaculture for Sustainable Trade (CAST) Cambodia project.

CAA’s membership will include all aquaculture sectors in Cambodia. CAST and CAA are working closely to form the association, set up the structure and develop a strategic plan. They also will continue to cooperate to grow the association.

The first official CAA board meeting resulted in opening a bank account for the association, as well as approval of the membership registration and informational documents. The CAA launched its Facebook account and charted its course to other communications vehicles.

The board members agreed to have an association launch event in August, in conjunction with some CAST technical training. The event is designed to introduce CAA to Cambodians, especially those who work in the aquaculture sector, and highlight the benefits of the CAA to their businesses.

CAA and CAST will follow the Cambodian Ministry of Health’s guidelines of limiting the group size, practicing social distancing and maintaining good hygiene practices during the event.