3.3. Coastal resources

3.3.1. Mangrove Forest Resources

Mangrove forests are fertile, diverse saltwater ecosystems found in the coastal zone which provide food and shelter for habitants. These productive natural environments provide breeding habitats for a variety aquatic life, including birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, crustaceans, shellfish, etc.

There is little mention or lack of information about forest destruction trends in recent areas of mangrove forest. According to some information, mangrove forests were destroyed as a result of its use as fuel woods including firewood and charcoal; shrimp farming; construction materials; etc (See table below.)

Table1: Estimated reduction level of mangrove forests in 1995

3.3.1.1. Mangrove forest exploitation

The 1995 report from the Institute of Development Research Center (IDRC) and the Ministry of Environment released information that in 1992-1993, mangrove forest areas were approximately extended by 85,100 ha. Of these, there is 63,700 ha in Koh Kong Province, 13,500 ha in Sihanoukville City, and 7,900 ha in Kampot Province and Kep City (Bann-1997).

The Ashwell report in (1997) indicated that mangrove forest areas, including Melaleuca, are less than 60,000 ha. Recently, the 2000 Asia Development Bank (ADB) survey estimated that the Cambodian mangrove forest remains at 26,650 ha, including coral reefs which are about 476 ha and sea grass which is about 175 ha. Most mangrove forest areas are located in the National Park, Wildlife Sanctuary, and Multiple Use Zone.

Table 2: Economic value of Cambodian coastal resources

According to the Asian Development Bank report (2000), today, Cambodian mangrove forests are healthy. About 26,650 ha of mangrove forest is being maintained and protected under the 1993 Royal Decree. This means that about 89 percent of mangrove forests, 88 percent of coral reefs, and 60 percent of sea-grass are under government management and protection.

Table 3: Mangrove forest management compared with regional characteristics

3.3.1.2. Impact on marine resources

Before and during the 1990s, communities and other stakeholders had less awareness of the benefits of mangrove forest such as aquatic habitats, fisheries, aquaculture, and medicine, but knew that there were huge benefits in general.

The high acceleration of mangrove forest depletion due to shrimp and salt farms have severe impacts on natural assets, especially on habitats. After a survey of this area, the Asian Development Bank stated that an increase in salt farms can increase salt concentration, which can indirectly cause destruction of mangrove forests. The acceleration of salt concentration may cause a decline in coastal resources. Another factor emphasized that unstable temperatures can also cause the state of mangrove forests to decline and make it unsuitable as an aquatic habitat.

Consistent with the above mangrove depletion views, additional examples relevant to the reduction of marine habitats were also expressed, such as the destruction of the coral reef and sea-grass. Obviously, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and sea-grass are under threat from illegally inundated mangrove forests, consumption by illegal fishing facilities, land based activities including agricultural practices, and effluent discharged from industrial areas (Asian Development Bank, 1999).

So far, mangrove forests are being properly maintained and conserved by concerned ministries and local authorities. Significantly, all stakeholders fully participate in management planning, including appropriate implementation of environmental legal instruments and other related laws.

3.3.2. Aquatic faunas

According to the geographical features of the coastal areas, aquatic fauna can be divided into three groups: (i) aquatic fauna in salt water; (ii) aquatic fauna in brackish water; and (iii) aquatic fauna in freshwater.

However, some aquatic faunas change their habitat according to the season and their live cycles. Additionally, some types of fauna can live in more than one of the water types or in various salt concentrations. For example:

• White sea bass: Fresh, brackish or salt water;

• Red sea bass and grouper species: Brackish and salt water; and

• Giant freshwater prawn and blowfish species: Freshwater (in the rainy season freshwater flows from highland or mountain areas).

Currently, there is no detailed documentation available of coastal aquatic fauna. However, scientists from the former Soviet Union conducted research on coastal aquatic fauna, in cooperation with Cambodian scientists from the Department of Fisheries from 1983-1986. Remarkably, the research team focused merely on offshore aquatic fauna.

3.3.3. Coastal aquaculture

To date, popular aquaculture practices in the Cambodian coastal areas vary and include extensive, semi-extensive, and intensive shrimp pond cultures, crab farms and green mussel cultures. Various types of aquaculture are provided below.

3.3.3.1. Shrimp farms

According to the final report by the Participatory Management of Mangrove Resources which undertook research in the Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary, by the year 1997, there were 23 shrimp farms that covered approximately 800 ha. But, since early 1998, most of these shrimp farms have stopped operations.

Based on past losses, one shrimp farm remained in operation in 1999 with one or two ponds operating with less productivity, when compared to operational costs. The productivity of crab farms was also examined. Finally, a conclusion was made that extensive and semi-extensive shrimp culture was not successful in this region (For further information, please refer to the final report of the Participatory Management of Mangrove Resources entitled Mangroves Meanderings: Learning about Life in Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary, June 2000).

3.3.3.2. Green mussel culture

Green mussel is a shrimp food. Green mussels were cultured and developed consistently with shrimp culture. This culture started in 1994 and lasted until 1997 and was postponed for a period of time, due to the collapse of local shrimp farms. But the green mussel culture started again in 1998, when the owners of the green mussel farm found its requirement in the Thailand market. Thus far, the development of green mussel culture has accelerated rapidly.

3.3.3.3. Other cultures

In addition to the above cultures, there are a few cultures that have also tried to be introduced in the Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary. These cultures include grouper and snapper. But the results were less successful. In this regard, the Participatory Management of Mangrove Resources team suggested that perhaps sea bass may be a good start for pilot testing since sea bass species can live and grow in fresh, marine and brackish waters. The most important points are the market area and price. The market price for Sea bass is strong in Thailand and appears to be stable.

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Table of contents > 3. Sea Area

3.1. Introduction

3.2. Coastal ecosystems

3.3. Coastal resources

3.4. Other Natural Wonders

3.5. Fisheries

3.6. Oil and Gas

3.7. Salt pans

3.8. Medical plants

3.9. Threats to marine environment

3.10. Threats to the coastal environment