Environmental Conservation in Cambodia

Conservation and Environment Volunteering in Cambodia

Arriving on the island Cambodia is a great country for volunteering on a marine conservation project. Our pioneering conservation and research activities are at the forefront of protecting and researching Cambodia’s diverse marine environment. Located on the tropical Gulf of Thailand, Cambodia has pristine uninhabited islands and over 400km of coastline. The project is the first of its kind in Cambodia and supplies the Cambodian Fisheries administration with much needed data to help in their marine conservation efforts.

The Conservation Project base is situated on the beautiful and peaceful island of Koh Rong Samleom, a two hour boat ride from the lively coastal town of Sihanoukville. The island is home to a small fishing village and has stunning beaches and a lush jungle. Most of Cambodia’s best dive sites are close by, including the rare seahorse breeding grounds that provide the opportunity to see as many as twenty seahorses in one dive, however due to illegal fishing the population is now much lower. The protection of seahorses was the reason the whole project began and now we are seeing success in their protection while learning a lot about their habitats and behavior. Thanks to the work already carried out, the area around Koh Rong Samleom is now the largest patrolled marine conservation area in Cambodia and is officially recognized by the Cambodian Fisheries Administration.

Dive buddy check In addition to our regular surveys, we conduct specific video and photographic seahorse surveys. On some of these dives we have been lucky enough to watch their beautiful courting rituals and even see them giving birth.

The last few years in Cambodia have seen a significant growth in tourism and development in the coastal towns and it is vital to protect the marine environment threatened by these changes. The relevant departments involved have limited resources to conduct scientific research and protect the marine environment. As a result, further decline of Cambodia's marine resources is expected. Your help is needed to protect one of the last undeveloped marine areas in South East Asia!

Another problem has arisen from intensive fishing through unsustainable means and encroachment by fisherman on coastal reefs and breeding grounds. This is threatening the biodiversity and health of many species and habitats. The Conservation Project in Cambodia aims to address these issues and offer comprehensive protection for biodiversity and establish new protected sites.

Volunteer Conservation & Environment projects in Cambodia: Diving & Marine Project

Studying in the communal areaJoin our Conservation & Environment project in Cambodia and one of the first things you'll learn is how to scuba dive in the clear warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. We will train you up to the level of Advanced Scuba Diver, which helps you learn the theoretical and practical aspects of diving. As an Advanced Scuba diver, you’re allowed to dive to depths of 30m and can participate fully in the underwater conservation work.

Our Diving operation, “Diving 4 Conservation,” is fully operational in all aspects of the scientific data collection, conservation, protection projects and is staffed by highly trained dive masters and scuba instructors with many years experience in South East Asian waters

Your Role as a Volunteer on the Diving & Marine Conservation Project in Cambodia

Volunteers are involved in a wide range of current projects including:

Diving Related Projects

The diving-related conservation work focuses on both marine surveys and salvage diving. The investigative survey projects include seahorse surveys including video and photographic behavioral and ID studies, coral & fish biodiversity surveys, and habitat & mapping surveys.

Making anti-trawling devicesVolunteers will be taught to understand the terminology, procedures, and methodology of reef and coral surveys and will conduct scientific studies on several active research projects alongside our scientifically trained staff. The seahorse survey results are sent regularly to Project Seahorse and all the survey information is presented each month to the Fisheries Department, which is important to conserve the status of the protected marine conservation area. New projects are constantly being developed and new ideas are always welcome. This is ideal for any volunteers who are studying marine biology or those who may have a specific plan of research that they wish to pursue.

The salvage dives involve collecting debris and garbage from the reef. This may involve cutting free a snagged fishing net or simply bringing discarded items to the surface, from old clothing to a wellington boot!

Community Projects

Jungle orchid surveyWe work in close cooperation with the local village on the island and volunteers can get involved in important community work which includes environmental awareness activities with local children such as beach clean-ups and education classes. There is also the opportunity to help teach English classes at the village school and you could combine Teaching and Conservation projects if you wished. We may also sometimes be asked by the villagers to help with practical tasks like clearing the school grounds, building an incinerator, or helping with the vegetable plots.

Since May 2010 volunteers have also been working on two specific programs with the villagers: Waste Management and Coastal Management. The waste management project involves forming specific waste management plans for the community, including research into what waste is produced and how it is disposed of and plans to create a landfill site and build a new incinerator. The Coastal Management project is looking at how the villagers use the coastal resources around them and involves the community in workshops and meetings to discuss how best to conserve these resources.

Jungle Surveys

Volunteers typically carry out two jungle surveys a week that currently involve orchid research. We are working with the Royal University of Phnom Penh to help protect rare and endangered orchid species. Volunteers walk the jungle trails with a local guide looking for the orchids, which are generally found growing on tree trunks and branches. When an orchid is found it is photographed and measured. If the orchid is in flower a sample will be taken back to base to be sent to Phnom Penh for identification. The information collected is entered into the national database, and provides data to help protect and manage any future development of the island. The orchids have created significant international interest with staff from the French Natural History museum visiting to take samples and our staff have received training from a Russian PhD specialist.

Beach clean-ups

Beach clean-ups are regularly carried out, often with the help of the local community. Much of the trash is dropped from passing fishing boats.

Additional Projects

Volunteers have recently been building anti-trawling devices which are dropped onto the reefs to stop small trawlers collecting up everything from the seabed. The anti-trawling devices are made from a concrete mix in a large sack with wire poles stuck through the sides.

We are also involved in monitoring a sea grass site and an artificial reef.

This project is also ideal for anyone studying marine biology or a related subject and would like to conduct their own research project or dissertation on the island.

Kids and volunteers after beach clean-upVolunteers who are unable to scuba dive or who are not interested in the dive-related work can get involved in some of the marine work by snorkeling, or can focus on the land based conservation work. There is plenty to be done and all efforts go toward the protection of this beautiful and developing country.

A work schedule is established each week so you know what is happening and when. The schedule varies, depending on the time of year, the weather, and the number of volunteers on the project. Volunteers normally work five days a week and some diving usually takes place each work day. You will have two days off to relax, travel back to the mainland, or get involved in some of the many other activities the area offers. There is also usually the option of fun diving on one of your days off.

The most rain usually falls in July and August. During these months and any other rainy periods the diving work can be disrupted.

You will sleep in bunk beds in a 4-person basic wooden bungalow shared with other conservation volunteers. The accommodation has electricity provided by a generator for a few hours in the evenings. Each bungalow has an attached bathroom with a Western toilet with a bucket and a scoop to flush it and a bucket shower. The bungalows are just a few meters from the beach and all enjoy fantastic sea views.

Volunteer bungalowsAll volunteers eat together in the large multi-functional communal area. The area consists of a kitchen and large dining area and has plenty of space to study or to enjoy the view and relax in a hammock. The surrounding garden has a toilet building and an equipment room. In the evenings staff and volunteers play cards, watch a DVD, or go to the town.

This project is available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. This project has been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. However, although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work on a variety of conservation and community activities please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period. The amount of diving may also be limited by the weather, especially during the rainy season between June and September. During a two week placement volunteers receive just one dive course, either the Open Water or Advanced course.

* Volunteers who already have their Advanced Open Water qualification will receive a 5% discount off the cost of the first month on the Conservation project and will be able to start the conservation-related dive work straight away. Additional courses cost extra and can be arranged in Cambodia.