Artificial reefs installed by the Fisheries Administration (FiA) in key coastal areas of Kep province have led to the return of many rare marine species, including at least three types of dolphins. Dith Tina/FB
The project to install artificial reefs, initially successful in conserving marine resources in Kep province, is set to expand to three additional provinces. The project has attracted many rare and vulnerable species back to the area.
The Fisheries Administration (FiA) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has been collaborating with Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) to preserve resources. Together, they have implemented a plan to deploy artificial shelters in key coastal areas of Kep province, including Koh Ach Seh, located approximately 13 kilometres from Kep city.
“Through this cooperation, we have deployed over 200 concrete blocks in the waters of Kep, and the results have been outstanding. Initially, these were artificial shelters, but over time, they have evolved into habitats that closely resemble natural ones,” said FiA deputy director Khov Kuong in a documentary about marine resource conservation in the Koh Ach Seh area.
The video was produced by the ministry and released on Monday, September 2.
Ouk Vibol, director of the FiA’s fisheries conservation department, told The Post that the collaboration with MCC has been ongoing for over 10 years. However, he noted that the active deployment of concrete blocks to help restore the ecosystem has been conducted for approximately four years.
“These shelters, especially the seagrass beds, have expanded from 2,000 to 6,000 hectares following the deployment of the concrete blocks,” he said.
Vibol highlighted that the blocks serve two primary purposes: providing shelters for biodiversity and preventing illegal activities like fishing. As a result, he said seagrass in these areas is growing at a faster rate.
MCC executive director Thap Rachana explained in the video that artificial reefs are structures designed to provide safe hiding spots and food sources for marine life. She said these structures also play a crucial role in improving water quality.
According to Rachana, the blocks are constructed on land by pouring concrete and are left to cure for one and a half to two months before being deployed into the water. The diving team then arranges them in stacks, connecting them with ropes through pre-drilled holes. Each block is made up of about 12 pieces of concrete.
Vibol also mentioned that the coastal areas between Kep and Kampot provinces, which share interconnected ecosystems, have seen the return of important marine species.
He said among them are at least three species of dolphins, including the Irrawaddy dolphin and the pink dolphin. He noted that, according to precise estimates, there are now over 50 pink dolphins in the area.
“Previously, we didn’t have such species in our waters. But with proper management, these dolphins have returned. Dugongs, including juveniles, have reappeared after a 5-6 year absence. There has also been an increase in sea turtles, thanks to public awareness and the release of turtles back into the sea. Seahorses have also become more abundant,” he said.
MCC founder Paul Ferber wrote on social media that when he started working in Kep 11 years ago, many people thought he was crazy. He mentioned they questioned why he wanted to conserve the area, saying, "It’s not beautiful, it’s already destroyed and the water’s brown and dirty."
“But after 11 years of blood, sweat and many tears, and with a team dedicated to restoration and protection, the results speak for themselves – clearer water, a higher abundance of fish and marine resources and recovering habitats,” he said.
He added that the Marine Fisheries Management Area in Kep has accomplished what it was intended to do, noting there are now more than 2,000 hectares of seagrass regrowth, with a significant portion being Halophila ovalis, also known as dugong grass.
“[There are] healthy populations of Irrawaddy dolphins and now the return of dugongs to the area,” read a post on his social media page.
Kuong stated that the project will continue to expand, with plans to deploy 5,000 more concrete reefs over the next five years, extending the effort to other coastal provinces, including Kampot, Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong.
He said the initiative aims to sustainably restore and increase the country’s marine resources, providing long-term benefits.
“We see that these areas are rich in biodiversity, with various plants, molluscs and other marine life attaching to the structures. We also see young fish swimming around these areas, indicating that these artificial shelters are indeed playing a vital role as habitats for marine species,” he added.
Agriculture minister Dith Tina, along with Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Say Samal, also shared on social media about the increasing abundance of these resources and called on the public to participate in their preservation.
