Mainstreaming Natural Resource Management

at Cambodian Inland Fisheries Communities

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
Acknowledgement
This report was prepared by the Scientific Capacity Development Initiative team: Chea Seila, Nut Savat, Tam
Sreykol, Gnim Sodavy, Ly Po, Chhuoy Kalyan, Vanessa Herranz Muñoz and Vittoria Elliott. And funded by the
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is a joint initiative of l’Agence
Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment
Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to
ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.

Citation
Conservation International (SciCap) (2019) Mainstreaming Natural Resource Management at Cambodian
Inland Fisheries Communities: Situational Analysis. Report prepared by Conservation International as a part
of the Scientific Capacity Building Initiative. Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Table of Contents Page

Executive Summary 3

Introduction 4

Methodology 4

Communities 6

Livelihoods 7

Resources 11

Climate Change Impacts 14

Challenges 17

Evaluation of Community Fishery Performance 20

Needs 22

NGO interventions 24

Main Findings 26

Recommendations 27
Executive Summary
The Scientific Capacity Development Initiative (Sci-Cap) team of researchers developed and piloted a series
of actions in the context of the project Mainstreaming Natural Resource Management for community
fisheries throughout Cambodia. One of the outputs was a context and needs assessment checklist which
was piloted at 25 communities. The checklist was used to construct the current situational analysis of
livelihood options, community resources, impacts of climate change, challenges, needs and external
organization interventions. The table below summarizes the most pressing issues that emerged.
● All land-based communities are highly dependent on fishing except communities that own land for agriculture and other
Fishery livelihood alternatives (e.g. Kamphun and Baray).
dependence
● All water-based communities are highly dependent on fishing.
Drinking water ● All communities faced water shortages. Community members lacked clean water for drinking and daily use from March to
availability May 2016.
● The number of households practicing aquaculture has declined due to unstable market prices and decreasing small fish
catch to use as aquaculture fish feed.
Aquaculture
● Some farmers reported aquaculture fish caught diseases after a few months after stocking. They thought that it might
have been an effect of water polluted by ash from forest fires.
● Even though most participants had basic knowledge of NRM and understand its benefits, illegal fishing activities remain
prevalent.

Illegal and ● Some community members fish in the conservation areas.

destructive ● Electro-fishing and use of explosives was reported mainly in the upper Mekong region.
fishing
practices ● Large nets wrapped around and covered by water hyacinth plants to catch fish is commonly practiced in the Tonle Sap and
lower Mekong communities.
● Illegal fishing is often undertaken using equipment sponsored by well-off or head of army households.
● Forest fires were caused by the 2016 heat wave as well as provoked by people.
● Forest fires lasted for months in dry season of 2016 due to lack of water and technical resources to fight them.
● A very large area of flooded forest around the Tonle Sap was destroyed and impacts on both land animals and water birds
Forest fires were reported.
● Communities lack capacity and equipment to prevent and extinguish forest fires.
● Capacity development and equipment to prevent and stop forest fires should be provided to community members, local
authority and relevant agencies.
● Most communities are close to market or fish traders.
● Prices are set by fish traders.
Fish sale and ● Communities lack power to negotiate prices.
processing
● Traditional knowledge of fish processing aids supplementing household incomes.
● Communities on the Tonle Sap such as Kaom Samnor have to rely on only one or two traders due to their remote
locations.
● At some communities, members have faced bad experiences with savings groups and they lost trust on the management
committee and community savings lending procedure.
● Some NGOs directly support projects and finance materials for the Community Fishery to patrol or raise awareness, other
Financial organizations support infrastructure or livelihood projects.
Capitals ● Many microfinance institutions reached out to rural communities. Some community members have obtained access loans
from more than one Mfi institution.
● Money lenders and fish traders are still playing very crucial role in providing funds to fishers in order to invest in fishing
gears and use for basic needs.
● Not only the majority of community fishery members and some of the management committees do not understand the
CFi by-laws and regulation, but also very few know clearly the boundaries of Fish Conservation Areas (FCA).
Community ● Some community members know the boundary of their FCA but they pretend not to recognize it because they want to
Fisheries (CFis) fish where fishes are abundant.
● In many cases partnerships between CFi, FiA, local authority and/or environmental rangers/staff does not provide efficient
collaboration or promote working smoothly together.
● All communities are affected to some degree by: water pollution, poor sanitation, challenges to access drinking water in
dry season, migration and debt.
Community
cross-cutting ● Most of community members especially on water-based communities lack appropriate sanitation and therefore
issues contribute to water pollution around their villages.
● Many young people migrate to cities to generate income and help their family repay a debt.
Introduction
The Scientific Capacity Development Initiative (Sci-Cap) worked on the project Mainstreaming Natural
Resource Management (NRM) project from December 2015 to December 2016. Phase 1 of the project was
aimed at evaluating awareness of NRM, providing an overview of challenges and opportunities, and
piloting innovative training tools. Phase 2 of the project built upon the results from Phase 1 to create and
test a context and needs assessment checklist which may serve as self-assessment for communities and
guidance for future NRM interventions. This situational analysis presents the data obtained through the
checklists and recommendations tailored to each community based on these results.

Methodology
The context and needs assessment checklists were based on in-depth key informant interviews at 31
communities on the Tonle Sap Great Lake, the Mekong basin and the 3S Rivers during Phase 1. The
community context and needs assessment checklists were then developed adopting two main frameworks,
the DFID Sustainable livelihoods framework developed by the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Advisory
Committee and the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) that was first developed by Cornelia and Jan
Flora (1990).
The CCF is an approach to analyze communities and community development efforts from a system
perspective. CCF focuses mainly on the assets of a community rather than on community needs and
deficits. A community capitals approach allows us to view the various elements, resources and
relationships within a community and their contribution to the overall functioning of the community. Once
the community capitals are identified, they can be used as a tool for planning for the future.

The checklists can be used to inform strategic planning, priority setting, program outcomes and program
improvements. A goal of development community checklists is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of
each community and to understand the community’ needs that leads to guide the project interventions in
the target communities.

Objectives of context and needs assessment checklists

The main objectives of context and needs assessment checklists are:

- To develop an informed understanding of the community strengths, the needs, gaps and challenges that
exist within a community and their impacts upon the community’s members (families, individuals, youths,
other institutions in the community).

- To provide a detailed analysis of community assets or resources that currently exist in the community.
Checklist Design
The checklists have been designed as an instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts
for the purpose of gathering information from respondents or through field observation. This is initially a
passive task for the NRM facilitator team to look around using the checklists and evaluate context and
needs initially just from observation. The checklists are also required for key respondents be able to read
the questions and respond to them.
A measure added to the checklists is the perceived level of satisfaction. It was used to rate the main
overarching themes from 0 to 10, where low scores indicate that communities are not happy/satisfied or
feel resilient enough given their livelihood strategies, resources or amount of challenges. Conversely, higher
scores indicated that the communities better prepared to face challenges. The score was given by the
facilitator based both on field observation and rating given directly by the key informants themselves.

Limitations
The questionnaire did employ a random sampling technique. To complete the checklists, facilitators looked
for available key person(s) who often held an official position and were knowledgeable about the
community context to answer key questions. These answers in combination with field observations were
used as a representation of the perceptions held by the entire community.

The Sci-Cap team carrying out a workshop

Communities
The context and needs assessment checklists were used at 25 fishing communities within 12 provinces
around the Tonle Sap Great Lake, the Mekong, Bassac, Sesan rivers and their main tributary rivers and
streams.
Communities have been categorized on the table below as water-based or land-based. Communities were
categorized as water-based when people live on boats or floating houses which are moved based on the
season and water level. Land-based communities are made up of permanent settlements situated on land.

Water-based Total
Area Village Commune District Province River/Stream (W) / Land- Population
based (L) (HH)
Anlong Taour Koh Chivang Ek Phnom Battambang Sangke stream W 437
Kampong Phluk stream tributary
Tonle Sap North

Dei Kraham Kampong Phluk Prasat Bakong Siem Reap of Tonle Sap L 273
Kampong Koh Chivang Ek Phnom Battambang Sangke tributary of Tonle Sap W 264
Prahok
Kouk Kdol Kampong Phluk Prasat Bakong Siem Reap Kampong Phluk stream tributary L 275
of Tonle Sap
Preaek Kampong Soutr Nikom Siem Reap Preak Kampong Khleang / Tonle L 400
Sramaoch Khleang Sap

Dei Roneat Me Toeuk Bakan Pursat Preak Khnach in wet season and W 208
river mouth in dry season.

Doun Sdoeung Peam Bang Stoung Kampong Thom Doun Sdoeung stream tributary
of Tonle Sap W 186
Preak Kampong Prak tributary
Tonle Sap South

Kampong Prak Sna Ansa Krakor Pursat of Tonle Sap Lake W 64

Kanlaeng Phe Kouk Banteay Rolearbier Kampong Kanlaeng Phe stream tributary L 170
Chhnang of Tonle Sap River

Kaom Samnor Me Toeuk Bakan Pursat Preak Kaom Samnor (Rainy W 88

season); Tonle Sap (Dry season)
Anlong Ang stream connected to
Peam Bang Peam Bang Stoung Kampong Thom Boeung Tonle Chhmar and Tonle W 212
Sap
Peam Khnang Phlov Touk Kampong
Kampong Laeng Chhnang Preak Loung stream / Tonle Sap W N/A

Ampil Teuk Kampong Cham Sambor Kratie Mekong L 313

Upper Mekong

Anlong Svay Preah Romkil Thalaborivath Stung Treng Mekong L N/A

Damrei Phong Koh Sampeay Siem Bouk Stung Treng Mekong L 183
Kamphun Kamphun Sesan Stung Treng Sesan River L 509
Punchea Ou Krieng Sambor Kratie Mekong L 128
Tompoun Taveng Kram Taveng Ratanak Kiri Sesan L 60
Reungthom
Tonle Touch stream connected to
Anlong Trea Preak Chrey Por Reang Prey Veng Prey Veng River (Chong Poam L 758
area), tributary of Mekong.

Baray Chhouk Krouch Chhmar Tboung 7 Km from Mekong River. L 426

Khmum
Chrouy Snor stream connected
Lower Mekong

Chrouy Snor Preak Chrey Koh Thom Kandal to Bassac River W 174

Damnak Laet Roka Koy Kong Meas Kampong Cham Preak Peam Chikong bordering
with Boeung Thom. L 300

Kampong
Samnanh Mien Prey Chhor Kampong Cham Boeung Thom (Big lake) L 320

Koh Tapov Phat Sanday Kampong Svay Kampong Thom Preak

Tapov
Khsach or Preak Koh W 60
Muk Preak Kampong Ruth and Preak
Phnom/Tuol Tuol Snuol Krouch Chhmar Tboung
Khmum Achi then connect to Mekong L N/A
Snuol River.
 Livelihoods

The table below displays livelihood strategies/options at the 25 communities ordered by “level of
satisfaction”. Communities at the top of the table have more diverse livelihood strategies and therefore
more options to cope with the effects of changing environmental conditions. Fisheries management also
makes a difference in how “satisfied” with their livelihood options or resilient communities feel. For
instance, in Peam Khnang, community members regularly catch good amounts of fish due to the effective
management of their fishery resources and the protection of natural resources. In dry season they also
have access to backyard gardens where they grow sesame and green bean for sale, which diversifies their
opportunities. In Anlong Ta Uor, Kampong Prahok and Kouk Kdol, livelihoods are based around fishing on
the Tonle Sap Great Lake but there are also small businesses, some benefits from tourism and small-scale
aquaculture. Furthermore, between the three villages approximately 100 households run crocodile farms.
The farms however, raise human and environmental safety concerns and owners expressed the need to
improve capacity and conditions.

# Livelihood strategies
Wet rice cultivation

Dry rice cultivation

Fish processing
Small business

Aquaculture
Fish Traders

Agriculture

Ecotourism
Livestock

Workers
Fishing

Other
Area Village

Upper Mekong Kamphun 10

Tonle Sap North Dei Kraham 9
Tonle Sap North Preaek Sramaoch 9
Lower Mekong Damnak Laet 9
Tonle Sap South Peam Bang 8
Tonle Sap North Kouk Kdol 8
Tonle Sap North Anlong Taour 7
Tonle Sap South Doun Sdoeung 7
Lower Mekong Anlong Trea 7
Lower Mekong Koh Tapov 7
Lower Mekong Chrouy Snor 7
Upper Mekong Anlong Svay 7
Lower Mekong Kampong Samnanh 7
Tonle Sap North Kampong Prahok 6
Tonle Sap South Peam Khnang 6
Tonle Sap South Kanlaeng Phe 6
Upper Mekong Ampil Teuk 6
Upper Mekong Damrey Phong 6
Upper Mekong Punchea 6
Upper Mekong Tompoun Reungthom 6
Lower Mekong Muk Phnom/Tuol Snuol 6
Tonle Sap South Dei Roneat 5
Tonle Sap South Kampong Prak 5
Tonle Sap South Kaom Samnor 5
Lower Mekong Baray 5
# Villages 25 23 20 19 17 16 14 11 8 7 6 4
Livelihoods
At the bottom of the table, communities such as Koh Tapov, Kaom Samnor and Kampong Samnanh give a
low score to their livelihood options. In these communities poverty is an issue. Koh Tapov village is based
within fishery conservation areas (former lot #2 in Kampong Thom); fishing is not allowed in this area and
people are forced to go far from the community to fish, having to invest more time and consume more
fuel. Most villagers own very old boats and use only traditional fishing gears, thus they cannot catch
adequate quantities of fish. Kaom Samnor is a water-based community located far from the town and
market. Fishing is the main livelihood activity. Most of their post-harvest products are sold to Dei Roneat
fish traders and used for aquaculture fish feeds. Kampong Samnanh community also has very limited
livelihood strategies. Approximately 80% of the population depends solely on fishing and and the
community has access to limited agriculture land areas. Fish catch has declined due to illegal fishing in the
Tonle Sap Great Lake and other fishing grounds around Kampong Cham, which means Kampong Samnanh
community faces considerable difficulties to generate household incomes.

Fishing
At all 25 communities, members work part-time or
full-time in the fishery. Other livelihood strategies
associated with the fishery include fish traders, fish
processing and small-scale aquaculture. One to ten
fish traders are in the communities every day to buy
fish and fish products and sell them as wholesale
and/or retail away from the communities. Fish
traders play a very important role as main actors in
the fish market value chain as they help link fish
products to markets and to reach distant consumers.
Furthermore, fish traders often lend money to
fishers to invest in fishing gears or to spend on daily
needs during the fishing low season.

Aquaculture Aquaculture
Small-scale aquaculture is practiced at 68% (17) of the Village % of HH
Peam Bang 100
communities. Table 4 shows the proportion of households Doun Sdoeung 100
in each of them culturing fish. The most common species Koh Tapov 100
Kampong Prahok 90
grown are Walking catfish (Clarias batrachus, Trey Peam Khnang 80
Andaeng), Sutchi catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus, Trey Anlong Taour 50
Chrouy Snor 50
Pra) and Snakehead murrel (Clarias batrachus, Trey Ros).
Dei Roneat 32
Farmers build the fish cage under their floating house or Anlong Trea 20
next to their house or in the stream. They use one or two Kaom Samnor 20
Kampong Prak 16
wooden cages surrounded by nylon nets, which are Preaek Sramaoch 10
stocked with the preferred species. Villagers reported that Baray 7
Dei Kraham 1
the number of households doing aquaculture and Kamphun 1
crocodile farming has declined due to unstable market Kampong Samnanh 1
prices and declining small fish catch to use as feed. Kouk Kdol 1
 Case Studies

Case Study 1: Snakehead aquaculture and fish disease in Dei Roneat, Pursat.
In the past, villagers used to collect wild snakehead fingerlings to fatten up in cages but the growth rate was very slow. In the last
few years, villagers have started buying imported fingerlings from local traders at 200 KHR/ fingerling (1 cm). Fish cages are
stocked with 10,000 to 30,000 fingerlings. They grow for 4 to 5 months. Small fish are caught from the wild to feed the
aquaculture fish. Fish are fed two times per day. When fishes are small, they are fed fish meat small chopped at a rate of 10 kg
per day for 10,000 fingerlings. When fishes grow larger, they are fed 200 to 300 kg of small (“trash”) fish per day.
Fingerling stocking starts in late July or early August and fish are harvested after 4 months they reach a weight of approximately
1 kg. Due to water conditions and availability of stock, farmers grow fish only once per year.
Market price of farmed fish has decreased in recent years. For instance, Snackhead went from 6000-7000 KHR/kg in 2015 to
4000-4800 KHR/kg in 2016. Furthermore, after the forest fires in dry season 2016, when water rose up in the early rainy season it
was polluted by the thick ashes. Polluted water killed large numbers of fish. Fish got infections that made their scales fall off and
killed them. Fish diseases are not well understood in the communities. Villagers learn basic fish raising techniques and fish
disease treatment from fish traders. When fish are affected by disease, human medicines (e.g. Paracetamol) are often used for
treatment.

Case 2: Lack of access to fish traders in Doun Case 3: Changes in aquaculture

Sdoeung, Kampong Thom.
Similarly to Dei Roneat community, Doun Sdoeung’s aquaculture was
affected after the flooded forest fires. There was a high mortality rate of
farmed fish as water became polluted by ash; fish got sick or contracted
skin diseases. Household incomes were affected as aquaculture runs
only for one cycle per year (lasting 6 to 9 months).
In Doun Sdoeung, there is a big challenge regarding access to the
market for farmed fish. For last few years there has been only a few fish
traders who come from Kampong Luong (Pursat) and Kampong Khlaing
(Siem Reap) to buy farmed fishes at the community. This year (2016)
however, no fish traders came to buy farmed fish in the community.
practices in Peam Bang, K. Thom.
In the past, the ancestors of the people in Peam
Bang knew how to grow wild caught fingerlings
by feeding them in cages. More recently,
Vietnamese fish traders have taught them how
to grow fingerlings imported from Vietnam,
which grow faster than the wild ones. Fish
traders have also introduced villagers to the use
pellet feed and methods for fish disease
treatment and prevention.
Agriculture and Livestock Agriculture and Livestock
Village Livestock Crops Wet rice Dry rice
Out of the 25 villages, 80% (20) breed small Damnak Laet
livestock to supplement nutritional needs Ampil Teuk
and household incomes. Chicken, ducks or Anlong Svay
pigs are kept on floating cages, in Baray
Chrouy Snor
enclosures on land or free-ranging.
Damrey Phong
Kamphun
Most of the land-based communities and Kanlaeng Phe
only a few of the water-based community Muk Phnom/Tuol
Snuol
have access to agricultural land in dry Preaek Sramaoch
season for cropping. Only some of the Punchea
land-based communities have access to Tompoun Reungthom

adequate land for wet rice cultivation and/ Dei Kraham

or dry rice cultivation. Kampong Samnanh
Anlong Taour
Anlong Trea
Case study 4: Agriculture in Damrey Dei Roneat
Doun Sdoeung
Phong, Stung Treng.
Kampong Prak
Damrey Phong community members base their
Kaom Samnor
livelihoods mainly on wet rice cultivation and to a
Koh Tapov
lesser extent fishing by using traditional gear such as
Kouk Kdol
cast-nets and hook lines. Besides rice, they also grow
Peam Bang
sesame, green bean and cassava. Unexpected heavy
Peam Khnang
rains in 2016 affected the harvesting of rice and
Kampong Prahok
sesame.
% Villages 80% 64% 32% 28%
People mostly grow rice for subsistence rather than to
sell because of the limited extend of land area
available and the lack of irrigation systems.

Case Study 5: Declining rice market

for Ampil Teuk (Kratie) farmers.
In Ampil Teuk community there is not irrigation system
in place so people feel discouraged to try to do dry
rice cultivation. As in Damrey Phong, heavy rainfall
during harvest season in December 2016 damaged
green bean and sesame crops. No rice traders came to
buy the rice produced after harvesting that season.
“Last year [2015], traders came to buy Romduol paddy
rice at 1200 KHR/kg or Bei Koun at 1000 KHR/kg. Right
now we have to sell the rice to villagers who do not
grow their own or to rice wine makers at just 700 - 800
KHR / kg” village chief recounts. Farmers not only in
Ampil Teuk but also at other rice-dependent
communities are becoming poorer because of declines
in the rice market. Since Ampil Teuk is located on an
island, villagers are highly dependent on traders come
to buy produces at the village because it is otherwise
very difficult to transport it to Sambor or Kratie
markets.
Natural Resources

Community Forest
Mekong dolphin
Connected FCA
River / Stream

Flooded forest
Natural ponds

Soil fertility
Fish & OAA
Broodstock
All communities visited were aware of the

Wildlife
NTFP

Birds
Area

# NR
Village
importance of the natural resources at
their disposal and were keen to improve
their capacity for sustainable NRM. UM Tompoun 11
Reungthom Deep pool conservation (Anlong Preah)

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are LM Damnak Laet 10

Reed for weaving mats (Kok Chroung)
considered an important asset; for
UM Kamphun 10
instance, in Damnak Laet community NTFPs (Fuel wood, honey, mushrooms, bamboo). Rapids. Wildlife. FCA (Chour Ta
Mao & Anlong Chab).
villagers harvest a type of reed and use it
LM Muk Phnom/ 10
weave mats to sell. Tuol Snuol
Wildlife (snakes, turtles, monkeys, otters)
Peam Khnang /
TSS Phlov Touk 10
Communities receiving direct benefits UM Punchea 10
from tourism/eco-tourism (6 villages Fish deep pools conservation areas: Anlong Tralouk and Anlong Preah Tvear.
Community Forest.
spread over all areas) were particularly UM Ampil Tek 9
sensitive to the need to conserve and NTFPs (Fuel wood, honey, mushrooms). Deep pools: Khsach Svay, Khsach Makak,
Proloung Loung Chet)
restore natural areas. LM Chrouy Snor 9
TSS Doun Sdoeung 9
Communities around the Tonle Sap Great Wildlife (snakes, turtles). Birds (Trayong, Tung)
TSS Kanlaeng Phe 9
Lake reported to be deeply concerned for
In dry season 2016, CFi committee had to pump water to refil FCA at some
their natural areas and the wild animals locations.
TSS Kaom Samnor 9
living within them after the
Wildlife (snakes, turtles, monkeys, otters)
unprecedented number and intensity of TSS Peam Bang 9
forest fires experienced during 2016. Preaek
TSN Sramaoch 9

LM Anlong Taour 8
The heatwave also caused Boeung Chhmar TSN Anlong Trea 8
Ramsar site (where Peam Bang village is LM Baray 8
located), to almost dry out, killing tons of Birds (Eagle, Egrets, Trayong, Noneal)
UM Damrey Phong 8
fish and threatening both biodiversity and
NTFPs (Fuel wood, honey, mushrooms)
livelihoods. Villagers reported the need to TSN Dei Kraham 8
implement urgent measures to improve Birds (Kok, Khlaeng, Kaek, Krosar, Smounh)
adaptation to extreme weather. TSS Dei Roneat 8
3 seasonal natural ponds
Kampong
TSN Prahok 8

TSS Kampong Prak 8

3 seasonal ponds of varying sizes
LM Koh Tapov 8
TSN Kouk Kdol 8
Waterways connected to FCA governed by FiA and multiple organizations.
UM Anlong Svay 7
Mekong Dolphin deep pool conservation (Anlong Chheuteal). Only three dolphins
left.
LM Kampong 7
Samnanh
Ponds / Lake (Boeung Thum, Boeugn Keh)
# Villages 25 25 25 25 23 22 22 21 10 14 4 2
Physical, Social, Human, Cultural, Political and Financial Capitals
Built or Physical Capitals include infrastructure that supports communities and management of natural
resources and CFis. Assessment results reveal only 5 communities completely lack patrol boats, however
most report the need for additional support and equipment for effective patrolling (see Needs Section
below). All communities have access to schools and to groceries/agriculture input supplies and all except
three communities in the Tonle Sap Great Lake (Dei Roneat, Doun Sdoeung and Kaom Samnor) have direct
access to markets to sell fish and fish products. Only 10 communities have boundary poles clearly
demarcating their Fish Conservation Area (FCA). Most communities have some type of energy supply with
large percentages of households relying on solar at 8 communities.

Social Capitals are “the resources available in and through personal and business networks” (Baker, 2000).
The assessment shows fishery resources in all communities are currently managed by Community Fishery
committees (CFis), which are also responsible for governance and protection of community Fish
Conservation Areas (FCAs) present at 21 communities. Eight communities also have Fish Sanctuaries
managed by the Fisheries Administration (FIA).
Amongst other social capitals, 8 communities have Savings Groups, 6 have Community-Based Organizations
(CBOs), 5 have disaster committees and two have rice ranks.

Human Capitals include the skills and abilities of residents as well as the capacity to access outside
resources and knowledge. According to the assessment all community members have a basic knowledge of
natural resources and their sustainable management. Most have attended primary school and/or they can
read and write.

Cultural Capitals: 10 communities have traditional culture and spiritual places such as sacred sites, spirit or
ghost forests. Three communities are located within areas designated as Ramsar sites, highlighting the
global importance of these wetland habitats.

Political Capital is the ability to influence standards, rules, regulations and their enforcement. Most CFis (21)
have developed regulations and bylaws but the assessment reveals only some community members
understand/follow them.

Financial Capitals are the economic resources available to invest in community development or that people
can use to improve livelihoods (excluding family based earned incomes). Besides project-based interventions
NGOs have created support funds in 14 communities which contribute to a large proportion of community
development needs and help improve NRM. Other sources include access to loans from Micro Finance
Institutions (MFi) or Banks at 11 communities. Fish traders act as financiers at 10 communities and 4 have
local money lenders. At three communities CFi members pay a contribution fee to invest in CFi management
and equipment. Two communities, Kanlaeng Phe and Chrouy Snor have started operating a Community
Fishery Production scheme by harvesting during a specific period every year at specific sites to generate
income to support community development. Personal interviews revealed that savings are the preferred
type of financial capital because they do not have liabilities attached. However, some community members
have faced bad experiences with savings groups and they lost trust on management committees and
community savings and lending procedures.
 Physical, Social, Human, Cultural, Political and Financial Capitals

Tompoun UM

Ampil Tek UM

Damrey Phong UM
Kamphun UM

Punchea UM

Anlong Svay UM
Dei Kraham TSN
Kouk Kdol TSN

Preaek Sramaoch TSN

Anlong Trea TSN

Kampong Prahok TSN

M. Phnom/ T. LM

Kampong Samnanh LM

Damnak Laet LM
Anlong Taour LM

Baray LM

Chrouy Snor LM

Koh Tapov LM
Area

Kanlaeng Phe TSS

Dei Roneat TSS

Peam Bang TSS

Kampong Prak TSS

Kaom Samnor TSS

P. Khnang / P. Touk TSS

Doun Sdoeung TSS

# Villages
Reungthom
Snuol
←Physical

Village

CFi patrol equipment (Boat) 20

NR/ CFi
manag.

Safe highland area 9

FCA boundary poles 10
Wells 15
sanitation
supply /

Clean water filter station 5

Water

Man-made water pond 5

Private clean water enterprise 2
School 25
Community physical

Pagoda/worship place 18
infrastructure

Village road & bridge 15

Access to main road 11
Community meeting hall 7
Commune hall 5
Other 2
Grocery shops / agriculture input
Market

25
supply shops
Access to market 22
Electricity (Public & Private ) 17
Energy

Solar 8

NGOs interventions 25
CFi / CFi committee 25
Community FCA 21
Community Solidarity 19
Local authorities (vill. & com.) 14
Savings groups / SHG 8
Social

FiA Fish Sactuary or Cons. lot 8

CBO 6
Disaster committee 5
CBET committee 3
Rangers 2
Rice Bank 2
Other 6
Basic knowledge in NR 25
Human

Schooling/literacy 19

Wetlands 14
Spiritual place 10
Cultural

Ecotourism 4
Ramsar 3
Historical or heritage area 1
CFi regulations / bylaw 21
Political

People understand / follow the

15
community regulation
Village safety (policy) 15
NGOs support fund 14
MFI/ Bank 11
Access to Fish traders 10
Financial

Access to savings group / SHG 6

Access to local lenders 4
CFi members contribution fee 3
Charity 3
Community Fishery production 2
# All Capitals (49 total) 31 29 29 28 28 27 27 24 23 23 22 22 22 21 20 20 18 18 18 18 17 16 15 15 14
Climate Change Impacts
The UN Sustainable Development portal states: “Climate change is now affecting every country on every
continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries
dearly today and even more tomorrow. People are experiencing the significant impacts of climate change,
which include changing weather patterns, rising sea level, and more extreme weather events”.

Our assessment delved into how these impacts are being experienced by the fishing communities.
Questions were related to climate change effects noticed on weather patterns, hydrological cycles,
fisheries, human health and food security and agriculture and livestock.

Weather patterns: All communities reported to have endured severe drought conditions and profound
changes in rainfall pattern in the last few years. At 18 communities, respondents reported to face storms
that destroyed their fishing gears, their houses and stopped them from fishing for long periods. The same
number of communities have experienced changes in temperature patterns -becoming unusually hot or
cold-, which had considerable consequences on livestock and crop survival.
Punchea UM

Damrey Phong UM

Tompoun Reungthom UM

Ampil Tek UM
Kamphun UM

Anlong Svay UM

Peam Bang TSS

Peam Khnang / Phlov TSS

Kampong Prak TSS

Kampong Prahok TSN

Preaek Sramaoch TSN

Doun Sdoeung TSS
Kaom Samnor TSS

Dei Roneat TSS

Kanlaeng Phe TSS

Dei Kraham TSN

Kouk Kdol TSN

Anlong Trea TSN

Koh Tapov LM
Damnak Laet LM

Anlong Taour LM
Chrouy Snor LM

Kampong Samnanh LM

Baray LM

Muk Phnom/ Tuol Snuol LM

Area

# Villages
Touk

Climate
Change Village
Impacts

Drought 25
Changes in rainfall pattern 25
Weather

Storms 18
Changes in weather pattern
(too hot, too cold) 18
Floods 3
Heavy wind 1
Decrease of water availability 25
Hydrological cycle

Changes in water flow & level 18

Waterways run dry 14
Soil erosion 4
Water pollution 3
Warmer water 3
Algae bloom 2
Fish catch declines 25
Impacts on aquaculture 13
Fisheries

Fish migration changes 10

Fish habitat destruction / loss 9
Fish species extinction 4
Impacts on Mekong dolphin 1
Increase in water/food related
and food
security
Health

human diseases 10
Fish & Food consumption
declines 13
Crop death 9
Agriculture and

Livestock disease & death 9

livestock

Rice yield decline 8

Lack of food for livestock 7
Crop pest increase 7
# Impacts 15 15 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 12 12 12 11 11 10 10 10 10 9 9 9 8 8 8 7
Changes to the hydrological cycle: The 2016 heat weave caused water resources to quickly dry up
provoking water shortages in all communities. Most communities around the Tonle Sap Lake live under
very basic conditions and are highly dependent on natural resources rendering community members highly
vulnerable to climate change impacts. These communities faced water shortages from March to June 2016;
smaller waterways run dry and the rivers and streams became muddy (water was 5 -10 cm deep for
months at some communities). People did not have enough clean water for drinking and daily use. Local
authorities transported water from outside sources to supply communities such as Preaek Sramaoch, Dei
Kraham and Kouk Kdol amongst others. In other cases, people were forced to buy water from businessmen
or to dig deeper wells in the streams because the authorities were not able to distribute water to their
homes due to increased difficulties over the season to reach communities.
Four communities reported increased soil erosion and abnormal sedimentation. On the Tonle Sap Lake,
three communities reported noticing water had become unusually warm in the dry season and increasingly
polluted. Algal blooms were reported at two communities on the Upper Mekong and witnessed by the
research team around the communities located in the South Tonle Sap area.

Fisheries, fish migration and aquaculture are being severely affected by the cumulative effects of climate
change, overfishing and lack of capacity for sustainable natural resource management. All communities
reported fish catch declines and 10 communities said that fish had changed their migration patterns. When
waterways run dry, fish spawning areas come under increased pressure which may be causing changes in
fish migration patterns. Direct evidence was provided at Damrey Phong Community, where members
reported that Trey Riel (Henicorhynchus siamensis) migration was changing because they had not seen the
fish by December 2016, when migration upstream usually occurs in this area from November to February
(Sokheng, 2006). Villagers had to wait to catch Trey Riel for processing into Prahoc, one of their main
sources of income.

These changes contribute to fish catch declines and as a consequence some fishers have to spend a lot of
time and resources going far from their communities to search for fish. For example, in Doun Sdoeung
community, fish to cover nutritional needs and generate income for subsistence became unavailable for
some time. Fishers then decided to borrow money from fish traders to buy rice to eat. The arrangement
meant that future fish catch would be bought at just 200 KHR/kg until they paid the loans back.
Water availability, changes in water temperature, feed availability and other conditions impact directly on
aquaculture. Changing conditions have caused disease outbreaks, high mortality rates and slow growth
rates at 13 of the 17 communities practicing aquaculture. As a consequence of these difficulties and most
prominently of the decline in small wild fish catch used to feed aquaculture fish, some households have
been forced to abandon the practice.

Human health and food security are also being affected. Fish catch declines resulted in fish consumption
declines at 13 communities. Ten communities reported an increase in water/food related diseases.
Agriculture and livestock: As illustrated by the Case studies above, increased temperatures, drought, heavy
rain and lack of water led to reduced yields and in some cases crop and livestock disease and death. Pests
and insects became a challenge in seven communities, amongst them Damrey Phong, Kamphun and
Punchea, where temperature rise made conditions unusually dry. Due to the drought, rice planting was
delayed until August. Unexpected rainfall during harvest season, meant that people harvested less produce
than in previous years. Communities such as Anlong Trea, Kanlaeng Phe and Baray need the seasonal flood
that brings sediments beneficial to soil fertility and contribute to better yields. However, for the last few
years the water did not flood the whole community areas, particularly some agriculture plots, so rice and
crops yields declined by as much as 50% in 2015 and 2016.

Heavy rainfall in the end of 2016 made rice and crops yield decline and poor quality of rice production. For
example, in agriculture based communities such as Ampil Tek, Anlong Svay and Damrey Phong the rice
yield was partially destroyed due to very strong winds and heavy rainfall during harvest season in
December 2016. Quality of produce was also affected because at the rice mill 60 kg of good quality dry
paddy rice produces 40 kg of white rice. Wet paddy rice however conveys a loss of 25% of total white rice.
Other communities reported over 100 kg of sesame and other crops were destroyed by rainstorms at the
end of 2016.
Declining crops have in turn affected food supplies available for livestock. Drought and higher temperatures
have also increased the prevalence of disease. Some communities reported being unprepared to deal with
animal diseases as they have never used vaccinations or formal veterinary practices.

A villager bathes his water buffaloes during the 2016 drought.

Challenges
Fishing communities face numerous challenges both linked directly to NRM (fish catch and natural
resource declines and current trends and seasonality) as well as indirectly (cross-cutting issues).
All communities reported experiencing natural resource and fish catch declines caused by human actions
which have increased in severity due to the climate change impacts described in the previous section.
Illegal fishing is prevalent to some degree at all communities as are destructive fishing practices. In the
Tonle Sap Lake, water hyacinth thickets are surrounded by nylon nets to trap fish and large foreign vessels
set km long nets illegally, whereas use of electro-fishing and explosives was reported in the Upper Mekong.
For example, Kaom Samnor is an isolated community where people often use destructive fishing gears to
catch fish. Access to market is an important challenge there. Higher but less frequent benefits from
aquaculture are therefore preferred but large amounts of small fish are used as feed for aquaculture. This
community also faces the largest number of challenges across all categories.

Dei Kraham TSN

Anlong Trea TSN

Anlong Taour TSN

Kampong Prahok TSN

Preaek Sramaoch TSN

Kouk Kdol TSN

Tompoun Reungthom UM

Anlong Svay UM
Kamphun UM

Ampil Tek UM
Damrey Phong UM

Punchea UM
Doun Sdoeung TSS

Dei Roneat TSS

Peam Bang TSS

Kampong Prak TSS

Peam Khnang / Phlov TSS

Chrouy Snor LM

Damnak Laet LM
Kaom Samnor TSS

Kanlaeng Phe TSS

Kampong Samnanh LM

Baray LM

Muk Phnom/ Tuol Snuol LM

Koh Tapov LM
Area

Touk

# Villages
Village

Illegal fishing & destructive

fishing activities 25

Fish habitats destruction 20

Poor NRM law enforcement 19
Low participation in NRM 19
Fish catch & NR declines

No enough flood/rainfall 18
Forest fires 18
Broodstock management 15
Illegal hunting 15
Fish species extinction 9
Catch small fish for aquaculture 8
Illegal logging / deforestation 8
Increase of invasive aquatic plants 4
Use of chemicals in farming 3
Hydro. dams development &
impacts 3
Increased use of illegal fishing
Trends & Seasonality

gears 25

Many fishers 21
Population growth 9
Seasonal changes in price of food 25
Seasonal changes in agriculture
inputs supply 2
Waste water discharge (HH &
farms) 20
Challenge to access clean water in
dry season 19

Lack of livelihood options 19

Poor sanitation / health 18
Cross-cutting issues

Migration 15
Debt 15
Poor local infrastructure (Road,
Bridge) 8

Far from health center 8

Lack of technical advise on
chemical use 6

Domestic violence 4
Lack of faming land 3
Crime 3
# Issues 21 20 19 19 19 19 19 18 18 18 17 17 17 17 15 15 15 15 15 14 13 13 12 11 8
Twenty communities reported on-going destruction of fish habitats and all land-based communities (15)
reported illegal hunting. Nineteen recognized law enforcement lacked capacity and resources to stop illegal
activities with the same number reporting low community participation in NRM. Forest fires were a major
problem last year at 18 communities.

Trends and seasonality can dominate natural resources as well as community livelihoods. All 25
communities reported that fishers are willing to increase the use of illegal fishing gears aiming to catch
more fish to sell or to compete with other fishers when fish catch declines. Furthermore, 21 communities
expressed that many fishers from the community as well as outsiders use come their fishing grounds
and/or fish in conservation areas when the patrol team is not present. The price of local foods such as fresh
vegetables, rice, meat, and other ingredients have been changing seasonally depending on market
fluctuations. However, price of gasoline and agriculture input supplies has not changed during 2016.

Our assessment included cross-cutting issues that have an impact on natural resources and community
development. Management of water pollution, both from poor sanitation and discharge from farms
(including chemicals) was found to be a challenge at 20 communities. Nineteen communities felt that they
lacked diversity of livelihood options and the same number faced severe challenges accessing clean water
during the dry season.

Potentially illegal fishing gears spotted at one of the communities.

Evaluation of Community Fishery CFi Legal Framework
The legal framework regulating and guiding the activity of CFi
Performance is established by three pieces of legislation issued by the
CFis are community-based organizations tasked with Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF):
managing fisheries, other aquatic resources and
1. Sub-decree on Community Fisheries Management (2005)
flooded forest conservation in lake and river
2. Fisheries Law (2006)
ecosystems. CFis have been recognized as a 3. Prakas on Guidelines for Community Fisheries (2007)
mechanism that can improve the sustainable
management of fishery resources and ensure The Sub-Decree on Community Fisheries Management
equally shared economic benefits and food security (2005) stipulates that a community must develop by-laws,
internal regulations, a management plan, maps of its area
for the community.
and an agreement with FiA. The Department of Community
Fisheries Development (CFDD) within FiA provides overall
Our assessment seeks to understand current support to the development of the CFi process across the
practices, functioning and effectiveness of CFis. All country.
25 communities visited are established as
community fisheries. However, our findings showed The fully functional and legally recognized CFi is required to
complete the following steps:
that some community members did not know that
1- The establishment of a community group and the lodging
their community was established as CFi, did not of a formal request to FiA for the establishment of the CFi;
know they should join as CFi members and/or were 2- A needs assessment of the potential CFi;
not aware of CFi regulations. For example, 3- Awareness raising and seeking registration of members;
participants in Koh Tapov did not realize that their 4- Preparation of relevant legal documents;
5- Convening an initial meeting of the members to elect CFi
village is part of Phat Sanday Community Fishery.
committee;
6- Physical delineation and demarcation of the CFi boundary;
Interviews with key informants helped highlight the 7- Submission of application for approval to MAFF;
challenges in managing fishery resources. A number 8- Signing the CFi agreement (Commune, District, Province
and FiA) and registration of the CFi with MAFF
of key challenges contribute to poor performance of
9- CFi fishing area management planning and its
community fisheries. CFi members have the right
implementation.
(sub-decree on CFi, Article.11) to collaborate with (Blomley et al., 2010)
FiA and request support from local authorities to
assist in the control of illegal activities. However,
illegal and destructive fishing activities in
community open fishing grounds as well as in the
fish conservation areas (FCA) were reported in all
CFis. Most community members and some CFi
committee members not only did not fully
understand the CFi by-laws and regulation, but in
most cases they did not know clearly the
boundaries of FCA areas. Some community
members admitted that they knew the FCA
boundary but they sometimes pretended not to
recognize it because they wanted to go fishing in
the conservation area where fish are abundant.
Evaluation of Community Fishery Performance
Only 7 of the 25 communities said that they have enough people to patrol the FCA and only 4 reported
having enough funds and equipment. In other communities such as Damrey Phong, most of the CFi
committee members and patrol team have to migrate to work outside the village.

There was one report of conflict over water resources between a fishery-based community, Preaek
Sramaoch / Kampong Khlaeng commune and a rice-based community, Darun. After 2013, Darun
community members have rehabilitated three canals (3m x 5m) of Kuk Sakorm, Trapaeng Phang and
Khnorn canals to irrigate the dry rice cultivation. Water sources are from Kampong Khlaeng and Beung
Chhouk natural ponds. The availability of water in Beung Chhouk is crucial for fishery resources. Beung
Chhouk area is a place rich in fish and other aquatic resources where some Preaek Sramaoch community
members have access to fish and a part of this area is demarcated as fish conservation area. After people
irrigate water to the rice field, Beung Chhouk pond run dry and the resources such as aquatic plants and
animals (snails, fish, water lily, morning glory) declined. Community members suggested that this water
reservoir should have sluice gates to control the water level and both communities had to discuss the plan
to balance between water for fish and water for rice.

During the assessment, key informants were asked to rate between 1 and 10 the performance of their CFi.
Five communities (Anlong Taour, Damnak Laet, Dei Kraham, Kouk Kdol and Peam Khnang/Phlov Touk)
received a score of 6, indicating that they were moderately satisfied with CFi performance. For example, in
Anlong Taour CFi was rated positively because CFi leader always engages people to do patrolling and
protect bird nests. The lowest CFi performance score (1) was for Koh Tapov in terms of not recognizing the
identity of the community as part of the CFi and not joining any CFi activities.
UM

UM

UM

UM
UM

UM
TSN

TSN

TSN
TSN

TSN
LM

LM
LM

Muk Phnom/ Tuol Snuol LM

LM

LM

LM
TSS

TSS
Peam Khnang / Phlov ToukTSS

TSS

TSS

TSS

TSS
Area Tompoun Reungthom

Kampong Samnanh
Kampong Prahok
Preaek Sramaoch

Doun Sdoeung

Damrey Phong
Kampong Prak

Village
Kaom Samnor
Kanlaeng Phe
Anlong Taour

Damnak Laet
Chrouy Snor

Anlong Trea
Anlong Svay
Dei Kraham

Peam Bang
Dei Roneat

Koh Tapov
Kouk Kdol

Ampil Tek
Kamphun

# Villages
Punchea
Baray

There is illegal / destructive fishing 25

Everyone knows FCA area / boundary
but still not clear 25
Collaboration with local authority and
stakeholders 17
CFi management plan 17
CFi members/ others contribute money
to support CFi/community
development 15
NGO/s support CFi 15
Small CFi fishing ground 11
Organize regular meeting / Patrolling 7
There is enough people to patrol 7
There are enough funds & equipment
for patrolling 4

Water Conflict between Fishery based

community and Rice based community 1
Have enough knowledge, capacity and
ability to protect NR / FCA 0
Community members understand CFi
bylaw & regulation 0
# Challenges 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 7 6 6 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3
CFi needs score (0-10) 6 7 8 9 5 5 5 6 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 1
 Case Studies
Case Study 6: Kanlaeng Phe’s CFi collective fund.
For example, Kanlaeng Phe’s CFi informally collects fishery
resources from the Romlech stream (part of their fishing
grounds) to generate income for investing in local
community development. The CFi committee have operated
community fishery production at Romlech stream for a few
years. This activity is not formally allowed by the FiA, that is
why a few newspapers always come to take money from the
CFi when they collect fish (threaten the CFi as they are also
fishing illegally by putting up a bamboo fence to catch fish).
The CFi’s collective fish catch is aimed to generate income for
community self-reliance and development. Revenue from
the collective community fishery production in 2015 was
approximately 4,000,000 KHR per season. That money was
shared thus: 150,000 KHR contributed to commune
development (road rehabilitation); 150,000 KHR were
donated to the Cambodian Red cross; 150,000 KHR were
donated to orphans and poor families; and the remaining
amount was paid to the CFi committee members at
25,000KHR per person (15 people) and spent on patrolling
activities.
Case Study 8: Clean water station for Me Toeuk
Commune
In 2015, Lien AID invested $20,000 in Me Toeuk Commune to
build a clean water station located in Dei Roneat floating
village. Lien AID facilitated the creation of a management
committee. Between 200 to 300 water containers are sold
per month in dry season (December - June). Less than 100
containers per month are sold in wet season. Water is sold
and distributed to three floating communities: Dei Roneat,
Kaom Samnor and Prek Kro. The price per plastic container
(20 liters) is 1000 KHR and if it is delivered to buyers, 1500
KHR/container. For water distributors, the charge is 800 KHR/
container.
A part of the revenue from selling water (100,000 to 150,000
KHR) is kept by the Commune for maintenance of the water
filtering station. Lien AID supported management committee
activities to disseminate benefits of using clean water and
helped maintaining the station for a year. After a year,
management and maintenance was passed on to the
commune council and community.
Case Study 7: Chrouy Snor’s CFi collective fund.
In contrast Chrouy Snor’s CFi (former fishing lot 9) was
created in 2013 by H.E Nao Thuok, a delegate of the
Cambodian government and a former director general of the
FiA. After abolishment of fishing lots, creation of CFis was a
significantly important mechanism to stop fish migrating
rapidly downstream to Vietnam in January. There have some
fish species that can be forced to stay in the ponds but it is
necessary to use a bamboo barrier. The CFi has 150
members from Chrouy Snor households and 11 committee
members. During the election of a new CFi committee, over
140 people came to participate in and on event which was
facilitated by the FiA. In Chrouy Snor, the CFi operates the
commercial community fishery production, locally called Dak
Yor. Dak Yor refers to the practice of putting up a bamboo
fence across the Chrouy Snor stream and collect fish for sale.
That is a commercial community fishery production which
was approved by FiA. Dak Yor is done during open season,
from October to July. There are 10 teams consisting of 15
members involved in this operation. Each team works in
rotation and CFi committee or committee of Commercial
community fishery production are taking care of the
operation for the whole season of Dak Yor. Approximately
500 kg to 1 ton of fish is caught per day. Fish products are
sold to CFi members to process into fermented fish (Paok,
Prahoc), to sell in Vietnam, Phnom Penh, Prey Veng, and
Takeo. Revenue from Dak Yor is divided into 4 parts:
- 10% for development (canal restoration, repair small dam
used to block fish migrating out)
- 10% conservation (build concrete poles, buy barb wires)
- 30% for reinvestment in buying material to do Yor
- 50% for expending on labor of team members and
committees (workers or team members get 400,000
KHR/Season; Committees get 180,000 KHR/month for 5
months).
Needs
Following CFi assessment, CFi needs for support to enable effective performance of their stated activities
was evaluated. All 25 CFis were found to need support to improve collaboration between stakeholders, to
create and/or implement the management plan and for effective law enforcement to stop illegal fishing.
Twenty-three CFis need additional and sustainable financial support to carry out activities and 22 lack
sufficient equipment for patrolling. After the 2016 heat wave, 20 communities found themselves lacking
training and equipment to prevent and extinguish forest fires. At 19 communities, FCAs would benefit from
rehabilitation and restoration activities and 18 need to improve or deploy demarcation.

NRM and fisheries management needs assessment indicates that flooded forest reforestation would be
highly recommended at 19 communities. While 20 communities need to improve coordination and
participation to strengthen patrolling, 9 would also need training of current teams on how to conduct
effective patrols.

Amongst other needs, it is worth highlighting that 20 communities would benefit from improving
conditions of market value chains as well as access to markets and 22 from better information sharing and
networking internally and externally.

Burned flooded forest around the Tonle Sap Great Lake.

 Needs

Kampong Prahok TSN

Kouk Kdol TSN

Dei Kraham TSN

Preaek Sramaoch TSN

Anlong Trea TSN

Anlong Svay UM

Ampil Teuk UM

Punchea UM
Tompoun Reungthom UM

Kamphun UM

Damrey Phong UM
Kaom Samnor TSS

Dei Roneat TSS

Peam Bang TSS

Kanlaeng Phe TSS

Damnak Laet LM

Baray LM

Muk Phnom/ Tuol Snuol LM

Doun Sdoeung TSS

Kampong Prak TSS

Peam Khnang / Phlov TSS

Kampong Samnanh LM

Anlong Taour LM

Chrouy Snor LM

Koh Tapov LM
Area

# Villages
Touk
←Training Needs

Village

Improve collaboration with

relevant stakeholders 25
Management plan and
implementation 25
Law enforcement to stop illegal
fishing 25
Support for CFi activities

Financial support 23
Patrolling equipment 22
Training & equipment to control
forest fires 20
Capacity development 20
Organize/ strengthen patrol 20
Rehabilitation of FCA 19
Demarcation 18
Restructure CFi committee 14
Support in creation of FCA 0
Flooded forest reforestration 19
NRM and Fishery
management

Effective patrolling 8
Climate change adaptation 6
Educate people on NRM 2
Leadership & Managing
people/CFi members 2
Livestock raising 6
enterprise livestock technical
Agriculture &

Aquaculture & inputs 5

Integrated Pest Management
skills

(IPM) 4
Home-gardening 4
Rice (SRI) 2
Community

Market VC / Market access 20

and MVC

Create or strengthen community

enterprise 4
Post-harvest Processing 4
Saving Scheme 10
Other

Communication skills 3
Language 3
Adapt or mitigate dam impacts 1
Info. sharing & networking 22
Pump machine 15
Restoration irrigation system 11
Technical skills for women 10
Diversify livelihood activities 10
Improve access to
education/health 9
Diverse needs

Access to clean water 8

Access to cheap electricity / solar 7
Improve infrastructure 7
Toilets 7
NGO/Govt support 6
Create / Strenghten Ecotourism 6
Stop hydropower dam 1
Access land for agriculture 1
Wells 1
# Needs 26 23 23 21 21 21 21 20 20 19 19 18 18 18 18 18 17 16 16 16 15 15 13 13 10
 Area Village # Interventions
NGO Interventions Kampong Samnanh 14
Lower Mekong
Informants at all communities except two (Dei Tonle Sap South Dei Roneat 6
Kraham and Kuok Kdol) reported a number of NGO Tonle Sap South Kampong Prak 6
Tonle Sap North Anlong Taour 5
project interventions. The largest number of
Upper Mekong Kamphun 5
interventions (14) was reported at Kampong Muk Phnom/Tuol 5
Lower Mekong
Samnanh on the Lower Mekong area, followed by Snuol
Tonle Sap North Preaek Sramaoch 4
Dei Roneat and Kampong Prak (6) on the Tonle Sap Upper Mekong Tompoun Reungthom 4
Sounth area. Tonle Sap South Peam Bang 3
Upper Mekong Anlong Svay 3
Upper Mekong Punchea 3
A total of 82 NGO projects were reported, 52 of
Lower Mekong Baray 3
them directly linked to NRM and/or fisheries. In Lower Mekong Damnak Laet 3
most cases, respondents were not able to provide Tonle Sap South Kanlaeng Phe 2
Tonle Sap South Kaom Samnor 2
details of the interventions but most of the
Tonle Sap North Kampong Prahok 1
NRM/fisheries projects were concerned with Tonle Sap South Doun Sdoeung 1
supporting and facilitating CFi/FCA establishment, Tonle Sap South Koh Tapov 1
creation of management plans and functioning. Tonle Sap South Peam Khnang 1
Upper Mekong Ampil Teuk 1
Upper Mekong Damrey Phong 1
Lower Mekong Anlong Trea 1
Lower Mekong Chrouy Snor 1
Tonle Sap North Dei Kraham 0
Tonle Sap North Kouk Kdol 0

Village Organization Interventions Type of project

Kamphun Department of Provide training to selected farmers in prevention and elimination Agriculture
Agriculture of pest or insects from vegetable crops and provide small livestock
(chicken).
Department of Agriculture & Food security Food & Nutrition
Women Affair /
CHAIN
DPA Support CFi, CFo, Agriculture; DPA provides patrolling fee to CFi NRM / Fishery sector
(Gasoline 7$/month plus food allowance to patrol team
2$/person for 5 people to patrol 2 times/month). In the past DPA
supported only gasoline but since October they both gasoline
and food allowance for the patrol team.
HPI Support health center on Tuberculosis control and treatment Health
World Bank Provide breakfast (rice, bean, oil) to students (2011 - present) Food & Nutrition

Damrey Phong WWF/ABE Banner to disseminate which are illegal fishing methods in the NRM / Fishery sector
river or stream
Ampil Tek WWF Support CFi NRM / Fishery sector
Kanlaeng Phe CCD CFi , NRM NRM / Fishery sector
FACT CBO, NRM, and Conservation support NRM / Fishery sector
Peam Khnang / FACT/IUCN CBO, NRM, and Conservation support (EU - NSA) NRM / Fishery sector
Phlov Touk

Preaek World Vision Agriculture & Food security Food & Nutrition
Sramaoch FAO CFi NRM / Fishery sector
FACT CBO & CFi NRM / Fishery sector
Mlub Satrey Workshop and education for parents on human trafficking Human Trafficking
Anlong Taour FACT CBO NRM / Fishery sector
ADB / TSSL NRM NRM / Fishery sector
VSG Good Governance Good Governance
WorldFish Aquatic Agricultural System Aquatic Agricultural System
Good neighbor Education Education
Kampong Good neighbor Education, Community Development, Good governance, Education, Community
Prahok Development, Good
governance
Village Organization Interventions Type of project
Kampong Khmer Youth NRM & Community Fishery NRM / Fishery sector
Samnanh Association (KYA)
Khmer Youth Disaster Management (Deliver food water filters, mats, mosquito Disaster management
Association (KYA) nets, and blankets to vulnerable people)
Khmer Youth Improve irrigation systems in the community Irregation system
Association (KYA)
Khmer Youth Good Governance Good Governance
Association (KYA)
Phnom Srey Health & Sanitation Health
Organization
Sovannaphum Human Rights Human Rights
Organization
Phnom Srey Health & Reproduction Health
Organization
Phnom Srey Support community fishery; Improve NRM and Conservation; NRM / Fishery sector
Organization provide skills in planting flooded forest
Sovannaphum NRM & Community Fishery NRM / Fishery sector
Organization
Sovannaphum Support women and children to improve food security by Food & Nutrition
Organization providing funds for improving agricultural production
Wathnak Pheap Children Empowerment through Education (CHES): provide Education
Organization scholarship to children to at least graduate to grade 9.
Youth Council of Study tour to understand the geography of the Tonle Sap lake and Research
Cambodia (YCC) to donate furniture to community kindergarten school.
Kampong Cham Consultation or discussion program on domestic violence Domestic Violence
Radio
Charity fund Wells Wells
Muk Phnom/ ADB Man-made ponds Irrigation system
Tuol Snuol FACT / Forum Syd NRM & Community Fishery / CBO NRM / Fishery sector
ADHOC Human Right Human Rights
Charity fund Drinking water, wells Wells
Department of Man-made ponds Irrigation system
Rural Development

Kampong Prak CI Provide 700 $ as capital for 3 savings groups. Members of savings Savings Groups
groups can borrow money to buy fishing gear. However, all savings
groups were canceled because people did not save and pay the
loan back.
CI CI collaborated with FiA to support flooded forest planting NRM / Fishery sector
(20,000 to 30,000) trees, following the CFi management plans
(2013-2015). Unfortunately, in 2016 all trees burned in forest
fires. NRM and conservation support.
ADB / TSSL Register CFi NRM / Fishery sector

Rural Friend for Support technical training on vegetable gardens; Two Primary Agriculture, Education, Health,
Community school buildings and boat to transport students from home to Domestic Violence, Savings
Development school; Support with money and transport for sick women to go Groups
(RFCD) to hospital; Community mobilization and protection from
domestic violence in the community; Support creation of savings
groups but three groups were canceled because members did not
pay money after borrowing.
Doun Sdoeung ADB / TSSL Local infrastructure Local infrastructure

Peam Bang ADB / TSSL Local infrastructure Local infrastructure

EU / FIA NRM and conservation support NRM / Fishery sector
FACT / IUCN CBO, NRM, and Conservation support NRM / Fishery sector
Koh Tapov Live and Learn Education, Children and Women support Education
Tompoun NTFP NRM NRM / Fishery sector
Reungthom 3SPN Advocacy Advocacy
Plan International Education & Nutrition (Komar Metrey) Education
Cambodia
Krousar Yoeung Nutrition & Gender (Women - Children) Food & Nutrition
Anlong Svay WWF Dolphin conservation NRM / Fishery sector
Mlub Baitong Eco-Tourism Eco-Tourism
CIRD Community rice mill Community rice mill
Punchea Oxfam Support CFo, Toilets NRM / Fishery sector
WWF Support CFi & CFo NRM / Fishery sector
CCD Support CFo, Disseminate forest planting and maintenance; NRM / Fishery sector;
Educate commune councilors and CFi committee on rights and Advocacy
advocacy.
Main Findings Capitals # Top 5 villages Area
In terms of capitals or assets the communities Fishing 25 Kamphun UM
rely on, more diversified livelihood options Livelihoods Small business 23 Preaek Sramaoch TSN
Livestock 20 Dei Kraham TSN
account for more resilient communities, with NTFP 25 Kouk Kdol TSN
small businesses and livestock being the most Capitals: NR Natural ponds 22 Punchea UM
important options to fall back on. Regarding Flooded forest 21
CFi patrol equipment
Physical 20
natural resources, all communities harvest (Boat)
Social NGO interventions 25
NTFPs but more direct benefits can be derived Human Basic knowledge in NR 25
when final products are processed at the Political CFi regulations / bylaw 21
Financial NGO support funds 14
community level, such as the mats produced
from reeds at Danmak Laet community. Challenges # Top 5 villages Area
Considering other assets, 20 communities have Illegal fishing &
destructive fishing 25 Kaom Samnor TSS
boats to do patrolling and 21 have developed activities
Fish catch & NR Fish habitats
declines 20 Doun Sdoeung TSS
CFi regulations and by-laws, however illegal destruction
Poor NRM law
fishing and derived issues are still the main enforcement 19 Anlong Taour TSN
Increased use of illegal
challenges at all communities. Another major Trends and fishing gears 25 Dei Roneat TSS
Seasonality
challenge at 19 communities is access to clean Many fishers 21 Kampong Prahok TSN
Waste water discharge
20
water in dry season, which has been Cross-cutting
(HH & farms)
issues Challenge to access
successfully tackled in other communities clean water in dry 19
season
through NGO interventions to set up clean
water filter stations and more importantly, Needs # Top 5 villages Area
There is illegal /
community-based management systems to 25 Kouk Kdol TSN
destructive fishing
Everyone knows FCA
ensure their sustainable running and
CFi performance area / boundary but still 25 Peam Bang TSS
not clear
maintenance. Assessment of needs at the CFi Collaboration with local
authority and 17 Kampong Samnanh LM
level showed that raising awareness of the stakeholders
importance of respecting FCA boundaries and Improve collaboration
with relevant 25 Doun Sdoeung TSS
regulations is vital at all communities as is stakeholders
Management plan and
Support for CFi implementation 25 Anlong Svay UM
improving and supporting collaboration activities
Law enforcement to stop
between stakeholders, particularly in terms of 25
illegal fishing
Training & equipment to
implementation (and in some cases control forest fires 20

development) of the CFi management plan. Reforestration scheme

NRM (Flooded forest 19
Training and equipment to control forest fires planting)
Market VC / Enhance
Market VC 20
would be essential to avoid future ecological market access
Diverse needs Improve information 22
catastrophes such that provoked by the sharing & networking

widespread fires experienced in 2016. After

Climate Change Impacts # Top 5 villages Area
the destruction brought about by fire of large Drought 25 Kamphun UM
Weather Changes in rainfall
areas of flooded forests, 19 communities pattern 25 Punchea UM

would need to start reforestation schemes to Decrease of water 25 Anlong Svay UM

Hydrological availability
recover the natural resources lost. Climate cycle Changes in water flow & 18 Damrey Phong UM
level
change has impacted all communities already Fish catch declines 25 Dei Kraham TSN
Fisheries Fish consumption
in a number of ways; drought and changes in decline 13

rainfall patterns had the most severe and Crop death 9

Agriculture and
livestock Livestock disease &
widespread consequences. 9
death
 Recommendations

According to the assessment, the following recommendations are made for each of the communities. On
the table, Rank denotes levels of priority.
Symbol Recommendation
Flooded forest re-forestation
The fires provoked by the 2016 heat-wave, illegal logging and other destructive activities are taking a
very high toll on the flooded forests around fishing communities that are essential habitats for fish and
other biodiversity. Flooded forest reforestation projects are essential to recover theses habitats. These
initiatives should concentrate on capacity building and community participation, including sustainable
financing in order to run as possibly small but long-term actions at the communities.

Capacity building and resources to fight forest fires

To avoid flooded forest devastation by fire of the same magnitude as in 2016 in the future, fire fighting
capacity building and equipment are vital for the communities. In some cases fires were provoked
intentionally or accidentally by people, therefore fire prevention awareness should be delivered to the
communities at the same time.
Potential to introduce FCM protocol to the CFi / Fishers
All communities reported fish catch declines however data regarding this trend or how severe it might
be at different locations is not available. Communities would benefit from a system to monitor their
own fish catch in order to verify such declines, their severity and the impact of any remediation
initiatives. The FCM protocol or a simplified version could provide this information directly to the
communities.
Encourage women in NRM
More gender balanced participation in NRM can be highly beneficial for the communities. Moreover,
women are often responsible for processing fish and NTFP post-harvest products which bring
additional income. Communities where this activities are not currently practiced could benefit
financially from introducing them at the same as empowering women and extending their role within
community life.
Raise awareness within the community and outside on FCA boundaries and regulations
Lack of awareness of FCA boundaries and regulations or limited compliance with them was one of the
major issues reported at all communities. Awareness raising and direct support activities, including
improving demarcation, dissemination of informative materials, workshops and increased direct
participation may contribute to better protected FCAs.
Introduce clear FCA and other potential zoning for improving fishery resources
Communities where FCA regulations are better understood may benefit from further advanced zoning
options and mechanisms such as fish sanctuaries, fish re-population areas and restoration or
improvement of ponds and canals.
Introduce chemical-free farming techniques
Land-based communities relying on agriculture are more resilient but in many cases the chemical
inputs used are contaminating their water-ways and in turn negatively affecting their fishery. Organic
agriculture methods, including Integrated Pest Management (IPM) would help overcome this issue.
Furthermore, organic agriculture products fetch higher market prices which would benefit
communities in the short-medium term and they ensure soil retains fertility in the long-term.

Improve information sharing & networking

Sharing best-practices examples, finding solutions to common issues, collaborating smoothly between
agencies and with all stakeholders would be greatly facilitated through an improved network of
communication between CFis.
Develop strategy in sustainable financing of CFi
Most CFis had difficulties ensuring sustainable funding for their activities including patrolling. Some
communities have found solutions to this issue by setting aside income generated by fishing in specific
areas or at particular times and re-investing it in financing CFi activity.
Improve collaboration between agencies to fight illegal fishing
Illegal fishing is the most pressing issue reported at the fishing communities. Improving collaboration
between the different agencies involved through better communication, increased community
participation and improved capacity could help to start tackling this complex issue.

Strengthen patrol groups

In order to fight illegal fishing, patrols need to count on enough equipment, law enforcement
authority and increased community participation to cover enough ground and patrol more regularly.
Rank Community
1 Chrouy Snor
1 Baray
1 Kampong Samnanh
1 Preaek Sramaoch
1 Anlong Tauor
1 Kaom Samnor
1 Dei Roneat
1 Doun Sdoeung
2 Muk Phnom/Tuol Snuol
2 Damnak Laet
2 Tompoun Reungthom
2 Punchea
Peam Khnang / Phlov
2 Touk
2 Kanlaeng Phe
3 Anlong Trea
3 Damrey Phong
3 Anlong Svay
3 Kampong Prak
3 Peam Bang
3 Koh Tapov/Phat Sanday
3 Kouk Kdol & Dei TSN
Kraham/ Kampong Pluk
4 Ampil teuk
4 Kamphun
4 Kampong Prahok
Area Recommendations Comments
CFi committee is active,
LM collaborates well and has a
collective fund.
Potential to advance in zoning
LM or managing wetland areas
Restructure CFi management
LM committee
Consultation meeting between
TSN communes on water
management
Lack of Knowledge and
TSN resources to prevent people
from fishing in FCA
Isolated community, poorer
TSS than neighbor Dei Roneat
Lack of Knowledge and
TSS resources to stop fishing in FCA
Situated on Boeung Tonle
TSS Chhmar Ramsar site
Lack of Knowledge in
LM implementing management
plan
CFi members are active and
LM have support from FiA/EU
Restructure CFi management
UM committee
Lack of Knowledge in
UM implementing management
plan
Exchange visit to Kampong
Phluk to learn how to operate
TSS
ecotourism
Exchange visit to Kampong
TSS Phluk to learn how to operate
ecotourism
Lake of knowledge in using
LM chemical inputs on rice
cultivation near the FCA
Restructure CFi management
UM committee
Restructure CFi management
UM committee and patrol groups
Most of the CFi management
TSS committee are based on land at
Beng village
Situated on Boeung Tonle
TSS Chhmar Ramsar site. Needs
support to stop fishing in FCA
Need to improve livelihoods of
TSS people living inside FCA
Potential community for other
communities to learn from on
ecotourism and flooded forest
management
Illegal fishing & destructive
UM fishing activity including at the
FCA
Lack of Knowledge and
UM resources to prevent people
from fishing in FCA
CFi management committee is
TSN inactive and do not understand
CFi function/FCA management