Cambodia embarks on a new phase of marine biodiversity protection

Cambodia is embarking on a new phase of marine biodiversity protection with the imminent creation of three Marine Fisheries Management Areas (MFMA) in the provinces of Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.

This initiative aims to protect several endangered marine species, such as seahorses, dugongs, dolphins and turtles, by strengthening the sustainability of small-scale fishing and the conservation of natural ecosystems.

Strategic areas for marine conservation

The new MFMA will be established at Koh Sdech in Koh Kong province, on Koh Toch Island and the Prek Tnaot River in Kampot, and on Koh Karang Island in Kep. These sites were selected because of their rich coral reefs and seagrass beds, which are crucial habitats for the reproduction and survival of many marine species.

Ouk Vibol, director of the Fisheries Conservation Department at the Fisheries Administration (FiA), emphasises that each zone will have clearly defined boundaries and will be organised into sectors dedicated to conservation, aquaculture, artisanal fishing and agrotourism.

Destructive fishing practices, particularly those affecting the seabed, will be strictly prohibited. In addition, artificial aquariums will be developed, surveillance will be strengthened and illegal fishing offences will be actively combated.

Government support and stakeholder mobilisation

The project has the strong support of the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dith Tina, who has called for further in-depth studies on marine resources and ecosystems, as well as for greater consultation between the various stakeholders to ensure the precise delimitation and effective management of the protected areas. An FiA working group has been set up to speed up preparations and ensure the rapid implementation of this expansion of the MFMA network.

A rapidly expanding network of protected areas

Cambodia already has three large MFMA:

Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sonleum (Preah Sihanouk): 40,535 hectares
Prek Kampong Smach Sanctuary (Preah Sihanouk): 10,923 hectares
Koh Po and Koh Tonsay Islands (Kep): 11,307 hectares

The addition of these three new areas will bring the total protected area to tens of thousands of hectares, consolidating the national strategy for sustainable marine resource management.

Funding

The Cambodian authorities plan to finance conservation projects in the new marine fisheries management areas (MFMA) mainly through multi-stakeholder partnerships and international funding. A concrete example is the CO-SAVED project, funded by the European Union, which supports the sustainable socio-economic development of fishing-dependent coastal communities in several provinces, including Kampot, Kep and Koh Kong.

This project integrates environmental, economic and educational components and aims to strengthen the resilience of fishermen while promoting the conservation of endangered marine species.

In addition, the Cambodian government collaborates with international organisations such as the FAO and receives technical and financial support from programmes related to sustainable fishing and marine resource monitoring. These partnerships contribute to the establishment of effective management and monitoring systems, which are essential for the success of protected areas.

Finally, Cambodia is part of a broader effort to attract investment, with efforts to improve the implementation of investment projects and facilitate cooperation between government institutions and investors, which could also promote the financing of marine conservation initiatives through public-private mechanisms.

Thus, the financing of conservation projects relies on a combination of international support, particularly from Europe, enhanced cooperation between public and private actors, and a government commitment to structure and optimise the management of investments in the environmental and socio-economic sectors.

Towards sustainable fishing and enhanced management

This initiative is part of a broader drive towards sustainable fisheries management in Cambodia, supported by international programmes such as CAPFISH, funded by the European Union and supported by the FAO, which deploys vessel monitoring systems to ensure responsible and safe fishing. These measures contribute to the fight against illegal fishing and the protection of fishery resources, while promoting the resilience of coastal communities.

The creation of these three new MFMA zones marks a major step forward in protecting Cambodia's marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable small-scale fishing, reconciling ecological conservation and local socio-economic development. The Cambodian authorities, supported by national and international partners, are thus demonstrating their commitment to preserving the country's marine wealth.