Kep Archipelago Hope Spot
The Kep Archipelago Hope Spot is located in southern coastal Cambodia and extends approximately 113 sq km, encompassing a dozen islands covered with tropical forests. These islands are known for their tranquil waters and at one time, some of the most exquisite seagrass meadows in Southeast Asia.
The waters of Kep act as important feeding grounds and provide migratory routes for numerous threatened species.
Irrawaddy dolphins, dugongs, giant clams and Cambodia’s largest concentration of seahorses can be found here!
Unfortunately, the area has faced considerable damage from illegal fishing and destructive bottom trawling practices that have ruined parts of the seafloor, creating an underwater desert.
Local heroes
However, the work of organization Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) , through their research, direct conservation practices and local activism has transformed Kep Archipelago’s precious ecosystems and species, including the endangered and iconic Irrawaddy dolphin.
The building blocks of hope
In order to restore the local marine ecosystem, MCC’s scientists and volunteers have deployed artificial habitats, called Conservation and Anti-Trawling Structures.
Photo: Marine Conservation Cambodia team working to deploy one of their award-winning Conservation and Anti-Trawling Structures (c) MCC.
“The work conducted by Marine Conservation Cambodia is a fantastic example of people coming together to do what they can to protect and restore Cambodia’s marine ecosystems– offering hope to the rest of the world.” – Dr. Sylvia Earle, Founder of Mission Blue
Members of the MCC team carrying the large blocks to be assembled. Lots of hard work requires a cohesive and dedicated team! (c) MCC
“Inshore areas and seagrass meadows like those found in the Kep Archipelago are rapidly disappearing around the world, but the potential for restoration and recovery is still there. What was once one of the most productive marine ecosystems in Cambodia is struggling but has a resilience that is impressive considering the destructive and illegal fishing pressures it continues to face.” – Paul Ferber, Hope Spot Champion and MCC Founder
See the Kep Archipelago Hope Spot!
The Irrawaddy dolphins are recognized as Endangered by the IUCN, with their populations struggling due to the decimation of their feeding grounds.
A quick glimpse captured of Irrawaddy dolphins in the Kep waters (c) MCC
MCC has established acoustic monitoring in the area within their award-winning concrete block structures, and have noted large pods entering the protected area nearly every night to feed.
“Today, the only thing protecting Kep’s Irrawaddy dolphin population from illegal fishing activities, associated bycatch, habitat degradation and prey depletion, are our concrete structures.” – Sarah Tubbs, Dolphin Project Coordinator, MCC
Marine Conservation Cambodia’s work has helped to not only preserve the unique treasures of the local marine ecosystems but of the livelihood of the people who depend on it. The Kep Archipelago is an area of miraculous resilience and with continued support, MCC’s scientists believe that a healthy marine ecosystem for the Kep Archipelago and the surrounding coastal areas of Southeast Asia can be enjoyed for generations to come.
To read more about their team and the work they do in Cambodia, read the Ocean Story, Kep Archipelago Hope Spot Declared in Recognition of Protecting Cambodia's Endangered Marine Ecosystems.
About Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC)
Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) saw firsthand the struggling marine ecosystem in Kep and established their conservation efforts in the area in 2013. MCC got their start working towards the creation Cambodia’s first large Marine Fisheries Management Area (MFMA) around the Koh Rong Archipelago. The organization was then invited by the Royal Government of Cambodia to begin work in Kep province. After 5 years of groundbreaking research and direct action effort, their proposal for the creation of Kep MFMA was accepted by the National Fisheries Administration and Kep’s provincial government. This new area around the Kep Archipelago is already contributing to the return of many species that had previously disappeared. Coral reefs are healthier, endangered seagrass beds are being protected, offering important shelter to one of Kep’s iconic species, the blue -swimmer crab. More than 40 fish species have returned In Koh Seh’s no-take zone since 2012, where MCC’s conservation efforts have been focusing.
MCC works closely with the Cambodian government, including the Royal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Fisheries Administration and Marine police. Apart from government entities, MCC works with local schools and universities, such as the Royal University of Agriculture, Pannasastra University, the Liger Academy and Kep province schools. MCC has partnerships with the International Conservation Fund of Canada, their longest partner, National Geographic Society, Heinrich Boll Foundation, and the Waitt Foundation for project financing.
