Training provided for improved monitoring of marine resources in Community Fisheries.

Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia — The Regional Fisheries Livelihoods Programme for South and Southeast Asia (RFLP) recently provided training on marine survey techniques for the officials of the Cambodian Fisheries Administration (FiA) to help ensure better monitoring of marine resources in Community Fisheries.

 

Twelve officials from the FiA Cantonments of Kampot, Koh Kong and Kompong Som as well as the Marine Inspectorate and FiA line departments were trained in a variety of marine survey techniques during the eight-day course held in Koh Rong Samloem on 23-30 May 2011.

 

Knowledge of the subjects covered by the training will help FiA Inspectorate and Cantonment staff as well as Department of Fisheries Conservation officers to efficiently implement a sustainable monitoring program on marine resources and the environment which responds to national fisheries goals and action plans.

 

The course covered marine survey techniques as well as the carrying out of on-site baseline surveys upon which to base a marine resources monitoring programme at selected Community Fisheries (CFi). Participants will also receive further follow-up training until the end of the year.

 

Mr. Ouk Vibol, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries Conservation, said, "This training is very important for the Conservation Department and Coastal Cantonments. We hope that by gaining experience in conducting marine surveys, it will give us more confidence to improve conservation work in Cambodia. Koh Rong Samloem is a perfect site for the training because of its proximity to coral reefs and other habitats that will be studied."

 

Mr. Chum Thol, Head of the FiA Kampong Som Division said, "This training is very important. I want to use this knowledge to monitor the fisheries resources in my area and be able to tell if they are increasing or decreasing."

 

The training was organized by RFLP in collaboration with the Cambodian Fisheries Administration (FiA) and Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC).