Marine Conservation Cambodia

Is a project that is devoted to protecting and conserving Cambodia's marine environment and the livelihoods of the island communities that rely on its resources.

Founded in early 2008, Marine Conservation Cambodia has commited itself to the comprehensive protection of Cambodia’s marine environment, we are assisting local communities in the sustainable use of their marine resources and providing alternative forms of income generation through true eco-tourism and scuba diving. Working together with relevant government departments and local community networks we make and maintain changes that will protect the marine environment and simultaneously improve the livelihoods of the coastal communities that rely on its resources.

...We protect

The natural beauty for all to enjoy

Our research and scuba diving team regularly monitors the marine ecosystem this provides us with information on the health status of the reefs, coastal breeding grounds, and the diversity and abundance of species. All collected data is shared with the local Fisheries authorities to support their needs in decision making with regards to conservation strategy. We address the accelerating development on the islands and coastal mainland by conducting marine assessments and working closely with local communities. Together the local communities and relevent government departments we  reduce the negative impacts on cambodia's reefs and marine ecosystems.

...We focus on

The importance of marine resources

A healthy environment is crucial to our future generations. Moreover, maintaining its health can be realized by creating continued livelihoods and stable food stocks for local communities. Local communities are at the very heart of our movement, Teaching the communities to monitor and establish community management plans, helping communities to understand the importance of conserving their natural resources, increasing livelihoods and standards of living through empowerment and knowledge. Assisting the communities to develop their own ideas and business plans towards tourism, bringing communities together in protecting their ocean and their way of life.

... The children

Are the future and also the key to continued protection and conservation.

Environmental awareness programs for the local children such as the participation in cleanup days and educational workshops help in creating hope, pride and a feeling of responsibility. All this goes along way in establishing a long term plan of conservation, eco-tourism and a sustainable better quality of life.

... Changing times

Increased tourism and development is both an opportunity and a threat to the marine biodiversity. Increased tourism means that there will be more vessels looking for a place to anchor and more people entering the sensitive marine habitats. Uncontrolled anchoring by these vessels seriously damages the coral reefs and marine habitats, the increase in development and the increasing numbers of tourists interferes with the natural balance of the marine ecosystem. Proper guidlines will benefit all. With a good ethical code in place the increase in tourism can benefit both the local communities and Cambodia as a whole. Through true eco-tourism and continued education many negative impacts can be avoided and the local communities can benefit from the development of true eco-tourism.

...Sustainable use

Unsustainable and destructive fishing by means of weighted bottom trawling nets, dynamite and cyanide are threatening Cambodia's marine environment.

Bottom trawling nets are responisble for much of the degradation of Cambodia's Marine Environment. Coral reefs are smothered by the sedimentation that clouds the waters, endangered species of seahorses are regulally bi-catch this is when the fishermen are following the law, When used illegally these types of fishing gears can destroy sensitive eco-systems in a matter of minutes. To tackle this, physical barriers on the sea bottom are ideal to protect these habitats and breeding grounds from destruction, whilst  providing shelter for marine life and have potential for hosting coral formations.
If the pattern of non-sustainable fisheries amongst other human threats continues, the continued decline of Cambodia’s marine resources is inevitable. Frequent monitoring of the biodiversity and species abundance, supporting fishing communities in sustainable fisheries within their community fishing areas, and environmental awareness activities are of indisputable significance to the conservation of these marine resources. This is where our team takes action.