Alternative Livelihoods

Marine Conservation Cambodia is actively working on providing alternative livelihood solutions for local communities, due to the decline in the overall fisheries resources, it is essential that alternatives to Illegal and destructive fishing are found.

By looking at socio-demographic and our marine data, we can begin to identify possible solutions for livelihood improvement and alternative livelihoods.

Restoring the shellfish reefs

The Marine Harvesting Network Project (MHN) was set up to monitor fishing pressure within the Kep MFMA and to promote and protect small-scale and sustainable fishing practices.

As we continue to monitor the extent and range of different fishing activities within the Kep waters, not only can we update the government on the status of these fishing activities, but we can also help to strategise enforcement, conservation measures, and marine protected area management.

From conservation to mariculture

Since MCC’s conservation and restoration efforts have lowered the intensity of illegal and destructive fishing techniques. Through the deployment of our habitat structures and by working with the local marine law enforcement and local fisheries departments, we have improved fish diversity and abundance increasing overall biomass, as well as the health of the ecosystems in general.

From Illegal fishing to Tourism

The possibilities for Tourism take time in areas that have been badly degraded, the ocean needs time to recover for activities like scuba diving to become viable, small snorkelling trips to the local fringing reefs around the islands are already starting and possibilities for marine mammal watching have been identified but strong policies need to be put in place first to protect the Dolphins from any negative impacts.

Mangrove tourism is showing success in Kampot.

MCC is currently working on opportunities for local communities to diversify into marine tourism.