SIHANOUKVILLE: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has unveiled a sustainable coastal and marine fisheries project that will assist Cambodia in developing its coastal areas, adapting to climate change and strengthening its marine fisheries resources.
In a meeting on sustainable coastal and marine fisheries planning with Sihanoukville Governor Kouch Chamroeun on Thursday, 17 February, ADB Working Group Chairperson, Lindsay Saunders, presented the Coastal Fisheries Project, which includes projects to manage marine ecosystems, improve infrastructure along the coast, assist the private sector in lending to the private sector, and create sources of funding to support the private sector in coastal areas.
In addition, there is discussion between ADB and the fishery association on reducing the impact of mangrove deforestation, as one hectare of mangrove forest can generate US $3,500 per year, and conservation of the remaining 500,000 hectares of mangrove forest is required for this to survive.
The Governor of Sihanoukville also welcomed the project to build a community fishing port as a result of researching and collecting data related to the project, and requested cooperation with the technical support of ADB.
The proposal to build this quality fishing port is intended to improve marine fisheries in the community, especially waste management and the impacts of fisheries in the community, to strengthen marine natural resources for future generations. The provincial administration also has plans and measures to further study and develop marine fishery resources.
The Governor provided two options, to conduct the first study in Stung Hav district (because there are many fishermen), and the second study in Koh Kheng area in Prey Nob district (because there is a collection of fishery products produced in that area). Regarding the protection and conservation of mangrove forests in Sihanoukville, such forests are abundant in the areas of Prek Kampong Smach and Prek Teuk Sap in Prey Nob district.
The Governor also asked ADB to help update the mangrove forest, set up a post to protect the forest and replant it to counter the effects of deforestation, in order to to preserve and protect fisherman and other community members.
