The Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT) is a coalition of local and international NGOs, established in 2000, that focus on environmental issues around the Tonle Sap Lake and in particular monitor the fisheries sector.

FACT works closely with fishing dependent communities around Tonle Sap Lake, in Cambodia?s upper and lower Mekong regions, and the coastal provinces supporting them in building their organizations and networks so that they can advocate effectively for themselves on issues that affect them. FACT also advocates to decision makers to explore alternatives for fishing communities in order to improve their livelihoods.

FACT is presently implementing five programs, with an underlying emphasis on human rights, sustainable livelihoods, education, and awareness raising. FACT also involves in gathering information on fisheries issues, collecting facts and opinions, analyzing and distributing it to governmental line agencies, donors, and other relevant people, as a mean of advocating them for the supports of fishing communities. Furthermore, FACT facilitates dialogues between NGOs, CCFs and other relevant stakeholders (local authorities, specialized institutions etc.) to debate, discuss and find solutions on fisheries issues and conflicts.

-FACT History and Experiences
In 2000, the fishing conflicts between the small fishers and the fishing lot owners around the Tonle Sap intensified. This conflict led to the denial of access of small-scale fisherman to fishing ground, killing of fisherman and the human right abuse made by the fishing lot owner to poor fisherman. This conflict was widespread and hot, and it happened in all provinces around the Tonle Sap. NGOs working on community development and natural resource around the Tonle Sap made an effort to reduce these conflicts, but they did not have experiences dealing with it. NGOs working in the Tonle Sap provinces brought the issues to the ?environment working group? of NGO Forum. The NGOs active in theses issues formed the Fisheries Action Coalition Team (FACT) in 2000 as a ?sub-working group? of the ?environment working group?, consisting of eight NGOs working related to fisheries and environment, and continued to advocate government on fisheries resources.

In 2001, FACT together with Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) conducted a research and produced a report entitled ?Feast or Famine? which highlighted the problems in fisheries sectors after the fisheries reform.

The report highlighted that the fisheries in Tonle Sap is under threat and called for an intervention from government and donors agencies to save the lake. The report was presented at the donors working on fisheries in 2001 and it influenced the fisheries policy at large. In2002, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) developed its program for Tonle Sap known as a ?Tonle Sap Initiative?. The first project started in 2002 under the name of ?Tonle Sap Environment Management Projects? with ?loan? provided by the ADB. Many other projects designed by ADB for the Tonle Sap came after the first project. 

Given the increased development projects in the Tonle Sap, NGOs observed that community and NGOs have not been silted and therefore, it is concerned that the projects financed by the ADB may not address the problems faced by the communities. Given the need to address a wide range of fisheries resources and fishing conflict in both inland and marine fisheries, in 2004, FACT was separated from NGO Forum on Cambodia and it became a ?local NGO? working on fisheries resources. The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and Oxfam America provided financial supports to FACT in implementing it program. The EJF and Oxfam America continued its supports to FACT after it became local NGO. FACT has been working to strengthen the NGO network for advocacy on fisheries, environmental issues, building the capacity of independent fishing community leaders and strengthening grassroots organizations in fisheries in order for them to advocate the government and donors on issues that affecting their livelihoods.

  In supplementing these mentioned activities, FACT has been involving in gathering information on fisheries issues, collecting facts and information, analyzing and distributing it to governmental line agencies and donors as a mean of advocating them for the supports of fishing communities. At present FACT is a coalition of twelve NGOs (as core members), working in the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Coastal provinces, consisting of both local and international NGOs that have involved in fisheries and natural resources. Its active members are all Cambodian NGO staff committed to doing advocacy on fisheries, environmental issues and livelihoods of local dependent fishing communalities. The coalition of FACT is working with 36 NGOs (core and network members) as a network in Battambang, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap and in coastal.