Cambodia
Cambodia’s coastal waters support important marine ecosystems and provide food and livelihoods for thousands of people living in coastal communities. At the same time, these ecosystems face increasing pressure from habitat degradation, destructive fishing practices and the loss of essential nursery and feeding grounds.
To support the restoration and protection of these ecosystems, ReefSystems is working together with Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) to introduce the Modular Sealife System (MOSES) in Cambodia.
Rather than producing reef structures elsewhere and shipping them across the world, the project is built around local production. Together with Cambodian Community Fisheries (CFis), local production hubs will be established where communities can manufacture MOSES elements themselves.
The ambition is to combine marine habitat restoration with local knowledge, employment and long-term community involvement, creating a model that can be replicated along Cambodia’s coastline.
Our local partner: Marine Conservation Cambodia
Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) is a Cambodian marine conservation organization that has been working to protect and restore the country’s marine environment since 2008.
MCC combines scientific research with hands-on conservation, community engagement and collaboration with government agencies and coastal communities. Its work includes marine habitat mapping, seagrass and seahorse research, marine mammal monitoring, environmental education, sustainable fisheries management and the monitoring of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
MCC has also developed and deployed Fishery Productivity Structures (FPS) to protect vulnerable marine habitats and help prevent destructive bottom trawling. Its long-term research in Kep and Kampot provides important knowledge about the recovery of seagrass, fish populations and other marine life.
This combination of local experience, scientific monitoring and close cooperation with fishing communities makes MCC an important partner for developing a scalable approach to marine habitat restoration in Cambodia.
Stage 1: Demonstration project at Chrouy Sway Community Fishery
The collaboration started with a joint visit by ReefSystems and Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) to Chrouy Sway Community Fishery. Together with the community, the project plans were presented, a suitable location for Cambodia’s first MOSES production hub was selected, and a roadmap was developed for the first restoration project.
With financial support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), ReefSystems and MCC will establish the demonstration production hub and train local community members in the production and assembly of MOSES reefs. The project will provide the foundation for potential larger-scale implementation with Community Fisheries along Cambodia’s coastline.
Stage 2: Production hub establishment
In the end of 2026 the production hub will be established. More information soon!