GRANTEE: Samaky Organization, in partnership with Khmer Ocean Life
COUNTRY: Cambodia
The problem is the rising poverty and declining fish stocks in coastal Cambodia, which leads to overfishing and heightens the threat of bycatch and entanglement for endangered marine mammals like the Irrawaddy and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins.
This project provides a win-win solution by launching Cambodia's first community-based dolphin-watching ecotours in the Trapaeng Ropov fishing community.
The unique element is the direct link between conservation and economy: local fishers are employed as boat captains and spotters, receiving extensive training in ecotourism, marine science, and English.
Sustainability is ensured through a transparent profit-sharing framework: 40% of tour profits are reinvested into marine mammal research and conservation projects to reduce bycatch, while 30% is donated to a community-led development fund.
