Shrimp Culture in Cambodia
Cambodia has 85,100 ha of mangrove forests mostly found in Koh Kong province (63,700 ha), Sihanouk Ville City (13,500 ha) and the Kompot province-Kep resort city (7,9000 ha). The activities which threaten the mangrove forests include: charcoal production, shrimp farming, establishment of salt pans, rice farming and gathering (and export) of firewood and construction materials.
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| Drying shrimp - outside of Kompong Khleang |
Intensive shrimp farming covered an area of 850 ha in 1994 with production of 450 tons a year. But disease outbreaks have since reduced the culture area to 20%, with estimate of national losses amounting to US$28.6 million a year. A moratorium on further licensing of shrimp farms has been enforced.
The government restrictions on aquaculture include: non-enroachment of farms on mangrove forests, waste treatment of water from shrimp farms before water is discharged to the sea, and construction of ponds 150 m away from the shoreline. However, these restrictions are not followed though shrimp farmers are aware of the negative impact on the environment.
Other aquaculture activities such as oyster/green mussel culture are not significant in terms of production and economics.
In general, Cambodia does not have mangrove management/conservation activities such as inventory and reforestation. But there are already many efforts and attempts by non-government organizations and international organizations to collaborate with the government to improve environmental protection.