Marine Conservation Cambodia was invited by the Cambodian government to establish a permanent base on Koh Ach Seh Island. From this location, they operate continuously, studying and safeguarding the marine life in the surrounding waters. In 2018, the region around the island was officially designated as a Marine Fisheries Management Area under governmental protection. © Rolex/Camilo Diaz
Due to years of industrial fishing and bottom trawling along southern coastal Cambodia, the waters have been depleted of their stunning coral reefs and essential seagrass meadows—both crucial ecosystems that nurtured a rich variety of marine species, including fish, invertebrates, and sea turtles. This destruction has severely impacted underwater wildlife. Many people might not be aware that seagrass meadows absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, playing a role in combating climate change. The damaged underwater environment desperately needed assistance. Nevertheless, there remains hope. Thanks to the initiatives of Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC), what was once a severely impacted ecosystem is now on the road to recovery.
MCC is running a program along the coast to assist locals in transitioning to more sustainable oyster farming by utilizing bamboo shellfish rafts. © Rolex/Camilo Diaz
In partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative and Mission Blue, MCC has installed artificial reefs and rehabilitated more than 1,000 hectares of seagrass around the Kep Archipelago. These efforts facilitate habitat creation in breeding grounds and diminish illegal fishing in protected regions. Rachana Thap, who transitioned from a university student to a marine biologist, now serves as the executive director of MCC and a Hope Spot Champion, playing a key role in executing restoration strategies for the underwater habitats of the archipelago.
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A seahorse is pictured in the shallow waters of the Kep Archipelago, clinging to a strand of seagrass on the ocean floor. These tiny fish, named for the shape of their heads, generally inhabit protected, shallow waters. © Rolex/Camilo Diaz
Rachana expresses how “being recognized by Mission Blue was a significant moment.” It is incredibly encouraging for them to realize that they are not alone in their efforts—they have international support. Mission Blue, spearheaded by esteemed oceanographer and Rolex Testimonee Dr. Sylvia Earle, aims to protect our oceans. By promoting public awareness and support, Mission Blue strives to create a global network of marine protected areas known as Hope Spots. Empowering local communities is also an integral component of MCC’s approach. “We collaborate with the community because this is their home,” states Thap. By working alongside local fishermen and those dependent on coastal resources, they help teach them how to shift toward sustainable oyster farming using bamboo shellfish rafts, hoping to involve additional coastal communities in this preservation initiative. Local fishermen have even requested that more artificial reefs be established.
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LEFT: Marine Conservation Cambodia’s Island Manager Tanguy Freneat surveys the seagrass meadow’s floor using a quadrat. RIGHT: Rachana Thap, Executive Director of Marine Conservation Cambodia, is one of the first Cambodians to obtain a marine studies degree and was pivotal in developing MCC’s artificial reefs program. © Rolex/Camilo Diaz
Thanks to MCC’s initiatives, the Cambodian government recently contracted them to set up 5,000 artificial reefs along the nation’s coast in the coming five-and-a-half years. “This will transform the entire Cambodian coastal province,” she asserts, noting the tremendous potential for restoration and the return of wildlife.
LEFT: The Marine Conservation Cambodia team conducting a marine mammal survey in the waters of Preak Tnot, Kampot Province. RIGHT: Tanguy Freneat, Marine Conservation Cambodia’s Island Manager, records findings shared by Hope Spot Champion Rachana Thap during her sea floor survey. © Rolex/Camilo Diaz
Despite Thap’s seven years at MCC, she feels her work is just beginning: “For me, this isn’t just a five or ten-year plan—it’s a lifelong commitment.” Thap believes the successful revitalization of the Kep Archipelago’s marine environment reflects the power of human creativity, cooperation, and a steadfast dedication to preserving our planet’s natural treasures: “This is not merely a national endeavor; it’s a global one.”
This article originally appeared in GRAZIA Malaysia.
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