MCC has been closely working with the Department of Fisheries Conservation, Fisheries Administration (FiA) to assist in the creation of the first MFMA (Marine Fisheries Management Area, Cambodia’s equivalent to MPA). In order to conserve marine resources on a long-term scale, biodiversity approach and socio-economic approach need to be fully integrated within the creation and management of the MFMA and its associated Zoning Plan. It is essential to collect all necessary information on the communities that will be directly affected by the creation of this protected area, that is to say the communities residing on Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. To do so, we were asked to conduct socio-demographic surveys in three communities: Village 23 on Koh Rong Samloem, Koh Toch and Daem Thkov on Koh Rong.

The main objective of these surveys was to collect baseline data on the social and economic situation of the fishing communities around the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. Data collection focused on household structures and activities, but also on fisheries resource related activities, including catches and types of fishing gears, in order to get a clear picture of marine resource use and conservation around the island of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem.

The results from these assessments will be used to improve local community-based fisheries resource management and seek support from relevant government departments. Furthermore, the research finding will be essential to the future creation of the MFMA and associated Zonal Management Plan surrounding the island of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem. Finally, concerned developers, NGOs and donors will be able to use these results to harmonize their activities with the local communities in a joint effort to conserve and promote a sustainable use of coastal and marine resources and alternative income generation through marine eco-tourism.

Conducting the survey in Koh Toch was an interesting but also shocking experience, both for the kids and for us as we could witness the benefits, but above all the issues caused by a poorly managed tourism development: on one side, an impressive number of tourists staying in brand new bungalows; on the other side, 50 meters away, a poor community that does not seem to benefit much from tourism development and has even started to resent tourism, mostly because of a lack cultural respect and inappropriate behavior.

After Koh Toch came Daem Thkov the last community to be surveyed. Dot and Srey Roat were this time able to directly assist the FiA-FCD (Fisheries Administration – Fisheries Conservation Department) they conducted a 2-day survey along with two FiA staff from Phnom Penh.

Daem Thkov was also an interesting village to survey, again very different from Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Toch Community: absolutely no tourism and a community of fishermen highly affected by large-scale and destructive fishing. Before the massive arrival of trawling boats operating in the area, fishermen used to collect up to 100kg of crab in their traps; today, they barely collect 5 kg for 1000 traps.

All three reports are available on request