Siem Reap: Hundreds of people, armed with traditional fishing gear such as woven bamboo traps and nylon nets, waded in thigh-deep muddy waters in a natural lake here on Sunday to catch fish in a fish-catching ceremony.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the event was held at a protected big lake in Bangkoang village in northwest Siem Reap province's Prasat Bakong district. The ceremony is an annual event held every February after the rice harvest season. Villagers netted freshwater snakefish, catfish, and climbing perch fish among others, as some grilled the catch over a smoldering fire and ate by the lakeside.

Han Nhem, a 42-year-old farmer, explained that the ceremony serves to preserve the ancient tradition of fish catching and create a joyful atmosphere for locals and tourists. "I have joined this event every year because it is the age-old tradition of our villagers here," he said, highlighting the ceremony's historical significance.

Another participant, Phal Han, aged 67, emphasized the importance of the event in educating younger generations about traditional fish-catching techniques. Bangkoang village chief Pich Khin noted that participants are only allowed to use traditional fishing gear, estimating that at least two tons of fish were caught during this year's ceremony.

Prasat Bakong district governor So Platong remarked that the ceremony has also helped attract more domestic and international tourists to Siem Reap province, which is home to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. He mentioned that fish fry are released into the lake annually and fishing is restricted prior to the event to ensure an abundant catch.

Fish plays a vital role in Cambodia's diet, with the ministry of agriculture, forestry and fisheries reporting that fish accounted for 76 percent of household protein intake. The fisheries sector supports about 2 million jobs nationwide, and it is estimated that a Cambodian consumes an average of 52.4 kilograms of fish annually.