There are a number of forms of extractive industries that concern the marine life to a very large extent. These include for example the industrial fishing that uses only weighted trawling nets. This form of fishing has been the most destructive factor at large as we know it. The Cambodian fleet of Kompong Som alone comprises an impressive 450 to 500 trawling boats, spreading out from Ream to the outskirts of the Srey Ambel Bay and out to the Koh Rong islands. As the fishing grounds of Koh Kong are being depleated by over fishing and sand extraction we are seeing more and more fishing vessels from the Koh Kong Fleet entering the waters around the Islands of Koh Rong and Koh rong Samloem often coming illegally into the inshore areas and trawling the sensitive habitats that surround the islands.
Many fishermen claim this is the way they have fished for decades
without impact others say it is the only way to feed their familys. The low scale of fishing industry in the past gave resources time to replenish themselves. But the quantity
of boats has almost tripled in the last few years. This has put greater preasure on
the existing natural resources some areas are nearing 100% habitat loss. Entire areas
are being stripped bare on a daily basis. Fishermen have to go to
greater distances now to have a good catch.
Almost 70% of the catch is not used for human consumption and carries a very low price on the market. It is a waste of the
basic lifeforms that sustain the potentially abundant fish stock. A destruction spiral is in place that will be hard to break without
developing mechanisms to help fishermen change their habits.
Marine Conservation Cambodia works closely with the Koh Rong Samloem and other island communities and has developed protection patrols that actively protect the community areas. Fishermen are made aware of the new laws and regulations.
Recently, Cambodia has been seeing an upsurge in sand dredging. Over 124 companies are licensed to pump out sand from river, estuary and marine environments . Some less environmentally friendly sand mining operators have attempted to take sand from the islands before they have compleated EIA (Environmental Impact Assesments). This is illegal by Cambodian Law and has been stopped by the relevent government departments. We keep our eyes and ears open to the sea and make sure that any activities are reported to the relevent authorites to avoid any illegal activities within the areas we patrol. We are based out there and have capacities to determine rapidly the potential damage of extractive dredging. Working with MAFF and EIA companies, we have assessed over 200 sites in areas identified by dredging companies. This has led to the identification of important areas to be marked out as marine protection zones.
Through our joined efforts with the communities, and other environmental networks of the coast, we have supported the MAFF to identify key protection areas and recently, the islands were given a 4 km protection zone. This helps to legally protect the marine environment from sand mining vessels but also from all kinds of illegal fishing and other extractive industry activities.
This major step has given the existing marine sancturary a major boost with a second protection border extending far around the Koh Rong Samloem Protected Area!
The Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen himself mentioned these efforts in a speach given in Kep on national fish day. Speaking of the need to protect the marine environment for the benefit of Cambodia and as a resourse to be nurtured.
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