There is so much to tell it may take a while to complete this past years summary, to name but a few, the completion of the first proper scientific seahorse studies in Cambodia, the start and  completion of a full monitoring program for the marine habitats around Koh Rong Samloem, Mooring buoys, anti trawling devices, The succesful start and continuation of the Koh Rong Community project.  Wow!! and still more to tell.

The full summary will be available soon and a few more in depth stories on the largest achievments from 2011.

A big thank you to all those involved, 2012 will build on the past 3 years success and knowledge to further help and develop the communities and the conservation around Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem.

Happy new year from all the team at Marine Conservation Cambodia.

Marine Conservation Cambodia had the proud honor of helping with logistical support in the implementation of Koh Rong Samloems first permanent recreational mooring buoy. With Financial and technical support from Acting for Life NGO especially Miss Tori Green and Miss Anne Pelletier who worked closely with the community to implement Acting For Life's mooring buoy project, Koh Rong Samloem Community has built four permanent mooring buoys to be installed at four of the most popular scuba diving sites around Koh Rong Samloem.

On Sunday 21st of August 2011 the first of the four mooring buoys was deployed at the dive site locally know as Vietnamese Bay. This was a proud moment for the Koh Rong Samloem community who have actively campaigned for the installation of mooring buoys to help stop the destructive practice of anchoring on the coral reefs. 

This month sees the official start of the pilot project with Marine research projects in marine habitat mapping, reef and seagrass surveys and seahorse monitoring surveys now underway. Community projects have also now begun with english lessons for the local children and the start up of regular village and beach clean ups. With your help we can build on this and assist the community to increase its livelihoods, infastructure and protect the ocean.

Updates and photos will follow as the project continues. Please get in contact with us to participate in this new project on the Island of Koh Rong in a small fishing community untouched by tourism.

This is a unique oppertunity to participate in a brand new project in a small Cambodian fishing community so far untouched by tourism, the successes of previous marine conservation Cambodia volunteers and interns on the island of Koh Rong Samloem proves that you can really make a difference.

2010 was a great year, with many positive improvements in the community of Koh Rong Samloem Island. The marine conservation efforts have again gone from strength to strength due to the hard work and commitment of the community, Mcc's partners, staff and all the Marine Conservation Cambodia volunteers that have put in so much time and energy.


We have made some amazing discoveries this year both on the Island and in the ocean including:

The discovery of Hippocampus Mohnikei while scuba diving in Kampot's extensive seagrass beds, this was the first ever recorded sighting of this species of Seahorse in Cambodia.

The addition of over 90 marine fish species our marine research team and diving volunteers helped to collect information and photographic evidence around the Islands of Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Rong that led to an increase of over 90 species of marine fish recorded in Cambodian waters this was then given to worldfish/fishbase's to be included in their database of marine fish species for Cambodia.

The Discovery of a new species of Orchid on the Island of Koh Rong Samloem previously unknown in Cambodia.

Marine Research

Our Marine monitoring and marine research diving programs are now well underway: 
With the signing of an official marine research and conservation collaboration agreement between Marine Conservation Cambodia and the Fisheries Administration Conservation Department. We are assisting the Fisheries Administration with data from our research dives to assist in the creation of Fisheries Management areas, (Cambodia's equivalent to MPA's } by undertaking marine research surveys around Koh Rong Samloem and Koh Rong we can monitor both the coral reefs and the seahorse populations and identify the main areas of high biodiversity.

We recently returned from the island of Koh Tang one of the further and more isolated Islands in Cambodia were we set up the first base line marine surveys for a continued monitoring and research program of marine life around the island.

We have almost completed the full training of a community based marine research scuba diving team from the Community of Koh Rong Samloem this will allow the community to directly monitor its own marine resources by means of scuba diving and marine research surveys.

Marine Conservation Cambodia's work in collaboration with Mai Pei Bei Community (Village 23)


Community Pride

The community of Mai Pei Bei (Village 23) on the Island of Koh Rong Samloem where we are based has become much more settled since it received confirmation that it would not be evicted from its location on the Island, it will now be allocated a development exclusion zone for future growth of the village. There is now a real feeling of community pride and a confidence in the future that has resulted in people creating small gardens and renovating their homes.

Community Patrols and Conservation

The community of Koh Rong Samloem has kept up regular patrols throughout the year and managed to protect the area directly surrounding the village and the Island of Koh Koun, the community has seen a visible increase in fish catches, and we have seen a visible improvement in the health of the surrounding coral reefs whilst scuba diving. Because of the increase in the size of catches the community has now decided to create 3 new marine conservation areas within its community fishing area.

Even if you do not have expertise in these areas, but you have self motivation and a passion to make a difference then you can get involved in many aspects of the work we are undertaking here in Cambodia.
For those with little or no experience we provide basic training in areas of Marine and terrestrial research, first aid and teaching to get you started, so that you can still contribute to the goals of the project.

Our university internship programs are a chance to put into practice what you have learnt already while getting valuable experience in the field.
Our current university interns have been integrating into Khmer culture and really putting their knowledge into practice working together closely with our partner organizations and relevant government departments. 

 Please email us if you are looking to be involved in a project that really makes a difference.