Systemic reforms turn the tide on Cambodia’s fisheries

Cambodia’s nearshore marine fisheries are severely pressured by overexploitation, habitat loss, and informal fishing practices. Exacerbated by climate change, fish stocks sharply declined by up to 60% from 2017 to 2022.

The perilous state of Cambodia’s marine fisheries environment undermines coastal livelihoods and food security and threatens the long-term economic productivity of a sector that accounts for 21% of the country’s gross domestic product.

The Sustainable Coastal and Marine Fisheries Project (SCMF) represents a major step to reverse these trends and establish a resilient blue economy pathway. Bringing together government and donor response, the project aims to build a more sustainable, climate-resilient fisheries sector.

SCMF introduces system-level reforms that position Cambodia as an exemplar for sustainable nearshore fisheries management. The four-year programme is being piloted in Cambodia’s four coastal provinces of Kampot, Kep, Koh Kong, and Preah Sihanouk.  

The project helps a managed shift from uncontrolled fishing toward a regimen of regulated, shared management. This is an essential step to restore ecosystems, maintain and diversify livelihoods, and attract private investments.

It quadruples rules-based fisheries coverage from 50,000 ha to 240,000 ha, equivalent to 37% of Cambodia’s nearshore fisheries domain, along with efforts on habitat restoration through mangroves and seagrass, digital surveillance, and modernised landing infrastructure.

NIRAS is providing technical assistance to FIA to implement the SCMF project, leveraging our experience in technical leadership, mentoring, and systems design.

Specifically, SCMF will work across three aspects:

• Adaptiveness of coastal and marine fisheries. The programme aims to strengthen the fisheries sector’s resilience by supporting for legal and institutional reforms and building the capacity of government and regional coordinating bodies, including the Fisheries Administration. It will also introduce ecosystem-based fisheries management and digital monitoring tools to help protect fish habitats and stocks.
• Development of climate-resilient coastal infrastructure. Key to the project’s goals is the development and upgrading of fish landing sites to improve food safety and promote gender inclusion. SCMF will also usher in nature-based infrastructure solutions, including large-scale mangrove restoration, to reduce coastal erosion and climate risks while supporting fishery productivity.
• Incubation of sustainable, inclusive marine businesses. Khmer Enterprise, a trusted fund of the Cambodian government, will directly support 25 community fisheries and 15 community-protected areas in developing sustainable fisheries and mariculture businesses. This includes programmes supporting women’s economic participation, such as childcare services and skills development linked to landing sites.