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37
© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom PenhCambodian Journal of Natural History 2014 (1) 37–46
Seagrasses in the Koh Rong Archipelago
Seagrass diversity and distribution in the Koh Rong Archipelago,
Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia
LENG Phalla1,*, Sophie BENBOW2 and Berry MULLIGAN1
1 Fauna & Flora International, Cambodia Programme,19, Street 360, BKK1, Khan Chamkarmorn, PO Box 1380,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
2 Fauna & Flora International, Jupiter House, 4th Floor, Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JD, UK.
*Corresponding author. Email lengphalla.ffi @gmail.com
Paper submitted 3 May 2014, revised manuscript accepted 18 July 2014.
CITATION: Leng P., Benbow, S.L.P. & Mulligan, B. (2014) Seagrass diversity and distribution in the Koh Rong Archipelago,
Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia. Cambodian Journal of Natural History, 2014, 37–46.
Abstract
Seagrass habitats around Cambodia’s off shore islands have been li le studied and are under threat from various
anthropogenic factors, especially those related to destructive fi shing techniques. Field surveys were conducted
in 2013 and 2014 during the dry season around both islands within Cambodia’s fi rst proposed Marine Fisheries
Management Area: Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem. The surveys aimed to evaluate seagrass distribution,
abundance and diversity around the islands, and employed transect and quadrat methods to sample seagrass
species richness and percentage cover. The area was found to contain an estimated 18 hectares of seagrass habitat.
Four species of seagrass were recorded: Halodule pinifolia, Thalassia hemprichii, Enhalus acoroides and Halophila
minor. The commonest species was Halodule pinifolia. The highest percentage cover of seagrass was found in areas
where the benthos was course sand. This study represents the fi rst comprehensive assessment of seagrass species
composition in the Koh Rong Archipelago and provides a baseline for future monitoring.
Keywords
Fisheries, Marine Fisheries Management Area, MPA, percentage cover.
38
© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom Penh Cambodian Journal of Natural History 2014 (1) 37–46
Leng P. et al.
Introduction
Seagrasses are aquatic fl owering plants located
mainly in shallow, sheltered nearshore areas (Carlo
& McKenzie, 2011), and are usually found between
mangroves and coral reefs in tropical areas (Short
et al., 2001, in UNEP, 2008). They are an important
food for many species including dugongs Dugong
dugong and green turtles Chelonia mydas (Serey-
wath & Sokhannaro, 2003; Smyth, 2006). Seagrasses
also provide essential nursery habitat and breeding
grounds for some important fi shes (Unsworth et al.,
2006) and invertebrates, and play a role in protecting
fringing coral reefs from the impacts of sedimenta-
tion (Short et al., 2001, in UNEP, 2008). Seagrass beds
provide fi shing areas for fi shermen (Cullen-Unsworth
et al., 2013), but the species associated with them
are particularly vulnerable to overfi shing because
such sheltered areas can be targeted even when bad
weather restricts access to off shore fi shing sites. If
seagrass areas become degraded, fi sh stocks could
decline because many fi sh species utilise seagrass
as nursery habitat prior to migrating to coral reefs
(Nagelkerken et al., 1999).
Cambodia’s coastline stretches 440 km along the
Gulf of Thailand. Kep Province borders Vietnam to
the East, and Koh Kong Province borders Thailand to
the West. Cambodia’s coastal zone is comprised of the
world’s largest seagrass areas (Johnson & Munford,
2012). A national report on seagrass in the South
China Sea (UNEP, 2008) indicated that seagrasses
were found in shallow water throughout most of the
country’s coastal zone. Seagrass beds in Cambodia
cover 33,814 hectares, but relatively li le of this area is
currently under eff ective management by the Fisheries
Administration (Table 1).
Seagrass habitats in Cambodia can be found in
two forms: either in extensive meadows adjacent to
the mainland, or in patches of seagrass inter-mixed
with corals around islands (Ethirmannasingam,1996
in Nelson, 1999). Kampot Province is the largest
seagrass area, but smaller beds are also found around
Koh Kong, Kep and Preah Sihanouk provinces (MFF,
2013), including areas bordering the off shore islands
of Koh Rong Sanloem and Koh Rong (Ethirman-
nasingam,1996 in Nelson, 1999). However, there is a
lack of information about the environmental factors
infl uencing seagrass distribution and abundance in
Cambodia (UNEP, 2008).
Approximately 60 species of seagrass have been
observed globally (Short et al., 2007) of which 18
species have been recorded in Southeast Asia (Anony-
mous, 2014). Previous studies in Cambodia’s Kampot
Province have reported 12 species (Ouk et al., 2010).
Seagrass areas in Cambodia are threatened by
destructive fi shing practices, including trawling for
shrimp (Adulyanukosol, 2002) and push-ne ing (Tana,
1995 in UNEP, 2008). In addition, water quality has
declined in recent years due to high levels of nutrient
input from terrestrial run-off following agricul-
tural use of fertilizers and pesticides and increasing
sedimentation following erosion from unsustainable
logging practices (UNEP, 2008). Nutrient input and
sedimentation increase water turbidity and inhibit
seagrass growth by reducing light, which aff ects the
ability of seagrass to photosynthesise (Duarte et al.,
1997; Hemmings & Duarte, 2000; UNEP, 2008).
Cambodia’s fi rst Marine Fisheries Management
Area (MFMA) is currently being established around
the islands of Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem by the
Government of Cambodia’s Fisheries Administration
(FiA), with support from Fauna & Flora International
(FFI) and several other partners and stakeholders.
Environmental a ributes favouring the selection
of this area for an MFMA include its diversity of
habitats, such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass
areas as well as records of endangered marine species.
For example, these areas are known to be inhabited by
sea turtles (Leng P., pers. obs; FFI, 2013) and seahorses
(MCC, 2011a). However, the species distribution,
abundance and composition of seagrass beds in Koh
Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem are largely unknown.
These data are required to inform the design of a
zoning scheme for the MFMA.
After obtaining permission from FiA in April 2013
(le er 2948), fi eld surveys were conducted to evaluate
seagrass distribution, abundance and diversity
during both the 2013 and 2014 dry seasons. Surveys
were conducted collaboratively with and by local
stakeholders, including the Department of Fisheries,
FFI, local authorities from Koh Rong and Koh Rong
Sanloem and Community Fisheries (CFi) members
from four villages.
Methods
Study site
This study was conducted around Koh Rong and Koh
Rong Sanloem in Preah Sihanouk Province. These
islands lie within the proposed MFMA. Four villages
were selected for this study: three villages on Koh
39
© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom PenhCambodian Journal of Natural History 2014 (1) 37–46
Seagrasses in the Koh Rong Archipelago
Rong (Koh Touch, Daem Thkov and Prek Svay) and
one village on Koh Rong Sanloem (Koh Rong Sanloem
village, also known as M’Pai Bai) (Fig. 1), all of which
lie within CFi areas and receive support from local
and international NGOs. Small-scale fi shing takes
place in these seagrass areas.
Field Methods
Surveys were conducted by staff from FiA and FFI as
well as representatives from the Community Fisheries
Commi ee and local villages. For the fi rst fi eld season
(2013), seagrass sites were selected through exami-
nation of existing habitat maps produced by other
organisations and researchers working in the area
(Skopal-Papin, 2011) and national natural resources
maps (e.g. SCW, 2006), as well as consultation with
the community fi sheries and villagers. For the second
fi eld season in 2014, we revisited the sites that had
been surveyed in 2013.
The fi rst surveys were completed between April
and May 2013 by snorkelling. During this survey, six
sites were sampled and a total of 30 transects were
conducted across these sites (Fig. 2). Prior to the
transects being laid, the fi eld observers snorkelled
around the sites to identify areas with the highest
seagrass coverage, and transects were located on these
areas. The second survey was completed in March
2014 using snorkelling and SCUBA. In this survey,
nine sites were sampled and a total of 45 transects
were completed. Where possible, the 2014 transects
were placed in the same locations as the 2013 transects
by using their GPS coordinates. The survey method
was adapted from Ouk et al. (2010), whereby 10-m
transects were laid perpendicular to the shoreline, and
50 cm x 50 cm quadrats were laid along each transect
at 5-m intervals. These quadrats were divided into 25
sectors, each measuring 10 cm x 10 cm, to increase ease
of sampling and reduce error in visual cover estimates
(English et al., 1997). For each quadrat, all species
present were identifi ed in situ using a laminated
seagrass identifi cation sheet for reference (Short et al.,
2001). The percentage cover of each species, and total
seagrass coverage for each quadrat, were estimated
using a seagrass percentage cover guide sheet (Ouk et
al., 2010).
In addition to these measurements, a dive
computer was used to record water depth during the
2014 surveys, and a metric rule was used to measure
the height of the seagrass.
Results
Four species of seagrass were recorded during this
study around Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem;
Halodule pinifolia, Enhalus acoroides, Halophila minor
and Thalassia hemprichii. Mean seagrass percentage
cover was higher in the Deam Thkov sites than Koh
Touch, Koh Rong Sanloem and Prek Svay (Fig. 3).
The Daem Thkov sites were dominated by Halodule
pinifolia, whereas T. hemprichii was the commonest
species observed around both Koh Rong Sanloem
and Koh Touch. All four species of seagrass were
recorded near Daem Thkov village, whereas only H.
pinifolia and T. hemprichii were documented at Koh
Touch and only one species was recorded at both Koh
Rong Sanloem (T. hemprichii) and Prek Svay (Halodule
pinifolia) (Fig. 3). The percentage cover of Enhalus
acoroides and Halophila minor was low, but both species
were observed fairly regularly throughout the sites.
Seagrass surveys were conducted at water depths of
between 0.4 and 1.9 m, and there was considerable
Table 1 Overview of seagrass extent in Cambodia and
current state of management (MFF, 2013). *In a conserva-
tion site managed by FiA or CFi.
Province
Known
seagrass
extent
Seagrass
area under
management*
Percentage
under
management
Kep 3,905 ha 731 ha 19%
Kampot 25,240 ha 1,500 ha 6%
Koh Kong 3,993 ha 1,000 ha 25%
Preah
Sihanouk 1,468 ha 600 ha 41%
Table 2 Seagrass species with their range of water depths
and foliage dimensions.
Species Water
depth (m)
Species foliage
dimensions
Enhalus acoroides 0.5–0.7 Length 12–46 cm
Width 1.5–1.5 cm
Halodule pinifolia 0.4–1.5 Length 4–12 cm
Width 0.25–0.7 cm
Thalassia hemprichii 0.4–1.9 Length 0.9–1.4 cm
Width 0.7–1.0 cm
Halophila minor 0.4–1.5 Length 0.3–1.0 cm
Width 0.4–0.7 cm
40
© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom Penh Cambodian Journal of Natural History 2014 (1) 37–46
Leng P. et al.
variation in the range of foliage dimensions within
and between species (Table 2). Based on the 2013
survey, we estimate the total area of seagrass in the
Koh Rong Archipelago to be 18 hectares.
Site specifi c results
Koh Rong Sanloem
The seagrass bed by Koh Rong Sanloem is located
seaward of an area of fringing mangrove. Inter-annual
variation in overall seagrass percentage cover between
the two surveys on Koh Rong Sanloem was low (44%
in 2013 and 41% in 2014). However, in 2013 only one
seagrass species was recorded, whereas in 2014 both
T. hemprichii and Halodule pinifolia were observed
(although H. pinifolia was not recorded within the
sampling quadrats). We inferred that H. pinifolia was
present in low abundance, possibly representing
a 5% share of coverage overall, while T. hemprichii
was dominant. The substrate was sand, with some
seaweed and bivalves (bicolour pen shell Pinna bicolor
and common geloina Polymesoda [Geloina] erosa).
Other species recorded during the surveys included
sea stars, collector sea urchins, several schools of small
fi sh, and one unidentifi ed species of seahorse. The
seagrass bed covered approximately 150 m x 150 m.
Fig. 1 Map of the study site
showing villages and estimated
extent of seagrass beds.
41
© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom PenhCambodian Journal of Natural History 2014 (1) 37–46
Seagrasses in the Koh Rong Archipelago
Daem Thkov
Similar to Koh Rong Sanloem, the seagrass areas of
Daem Thkov were directly adjacent to mangroves.
Daem Thkov was the most species-rich site, with four
species of seagrass recorded in 2013. However, we
observed a decrease in the number of species between
the two fi eld seasons, as T. hemprichii was not recorded
in 2014 (Fig. 4). This site was dominated by H. pinifolia
(73%) and relatively small numbers of the other three
species in 2013 (Halophila minor 9%, T. hemprichii 3.33%
and Enhalus acoroides 6%). The benthos was composed
of course sand, and many invertebrate species were
sighted, including sea stars, crabs, octopuses, collector
sea urchins and bivalves (e.g. bicolour pen shell and
mud creeper Terebralia sp.) as well as small schools of
fi sh. Seahorses were not sighted in 2013, but during the
2014 surveys we recorded 14 individuals representing
three diff erent species. The seagrasses of Daem Thkov
covered around 10 ha, but the area of high seagrass
species diversity was limited to 2 ha (Fig. 1).
Prek Svay
In 2013, no seagrasses were recorded around Prek
Svay, but after consulting local fi shers in 2014, an
Fig. 2 Approximate survey
locations in 2013 and 2014.
42
© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom Penh Cambodian Journal of Natural History 2014 (1) 37–46
Leng P. et al.
Table 3 Description of all seagrass survey sites.
Year Site Local Site
Name
Nearest
village
Species
richness
Dominant
species? Substrate Geophysical description
2013
1 Av Lich Daem Thkov 3 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand
and sand
In front of the mangrove
2 Av Lich Daem Thkov 3 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand
and sand
In front of the mangrove
3 Av Lich Daem Thkov 3 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand
and sand
In front of the mangrove
4 Av Lich Daem Thkov 4 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand
and sand
In front of the mangrove
1 Av Yiy Koh Rong
Sanloem
1Thalassia hemprichii Sand In front of the mangrove
2 Av Yiy Koh Rong
Sanloem
1 No Sand In front of the mangrove
1 In front of
village
Koh Touch 2 Thalassia hemprichii Sand In front of the forest
2014
1 Av Lich Daem Thkov 2 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand In front of the mangrove
2 Av Lich Daem Thkov 2 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand In front of the mangrove
3 Av Lich Daem Thkov 1 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand In front of the mangrove
4 Av Lich Daem Thkov 1 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand In front of the mangrove
5 Av Lich Daem Thkov 1 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand In front of the mangrove
6 Av Lich Daem Thkov 2 Halodule pinifolia Coarse sand
and sand
In front of the mangrove
1 Av Yiy Koh Rong
Sanloem
2Thalassia hemprichii Sand In front of the mangrove
2 Av Yiy Koh Rong
Sanloem
2 No Sand In front of the mangrove
1 Av Thean
Koh Dong
Prek Svay 2 No Sand In front of the mangrove
1 In front of
village
Koh Touch 2 Thalassia hemprichii Sand In front of the forest
area of seagrass was observed at Av Thean in front
of fringing mangrove. Two species of seagrass were
recorded here: Halodule pinifolia (3.5%) and Halophila
minor, although H. minor was not recorded within the
survey quadrats. The substrate was mainly sand and
fi ne sand, and some species, such as anemone fi sh,
collector sea urchins, sea stars and schools of small
fi sh, were observed. The total area of the seagrass bed
covered 100 m x 100 m and included small patches on
the boundary with small seagrass shoots that we were
unable to identify to species level.
Koh Touch
The extent of seagrass at Koh Touch was small, covering
an area of only 20 m x 20 m, so observations were
made by snorkelling. No transects were conducted
here because the seagrass bed was too small. Overall
species coverage decreased between the 2013 and
2014 surveys: Thalassia hemprichii coverage decreased
from 85% to 25% and Halodule pinifolia decreased
from 15% to 5%. The substrate of this site was sand
with seaweed and some invertebrate species, such as
collector sea urchins and bivalves (bicolour pen shell,
common geloina), and groups of small fi sh.
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© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom PenhCambodian Journal of Natural History 2014 (1) 37–46
Seagrasses in the Koh Rong Archipelago
Discussion
Four species of seagrass were recorded across the
survey sites over the study period. Our data appear
to show that percentage cover of the seagrass species
varied both between sites and between years. Halodule
pinifolia was the commonest species in all sites, and
Daem Thkov Village had the highest percentage cover
of seagrass overall and seemed to present the most
suitable environment for seagrass growth. The loss
of some species seen between the two years of the
fi eld surveys is problematic and may be the result of
increasing human impacts on the area or sampling
error. Increased fi shing eff ort in seagrass areas,
particularly using techniques which physically impact
on the seabed, may be reducing seagrass coverage
(as reported by fi shermen in Daem Thkov and Koh
Rong Sanloem during the 2014 seagrass survey).
We note that the seagrass area of Daem Thkov is a
popular fi shing site (Daem Thkov CFi chief Mr Ban,
pers. comm.), particularly using crab gill-nets, which
supports our theory that fi shing activities may be
negatively aff ecting seagrass.
Fig. 3 Mean overall percentage cover of seagrass species
per quadrat (2013 and 2014 data combined).
Fig. 4 Seagrass cover by species near Daem Thkov Village.
44
© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom Penh Cambodian Journal of Natural History 2014 (1) 37–46
Leng P. et al.
According to our observations, the patch of
seagrass at Koh Touch was small and decreased in size.
The perceptions of the local village chief in 2014 also
support the idea that the seagrass area is shrinking,
reportedly as a result of damage by strong winds and
waves. Koh Touch is also rapidly becoming a popular
tourist site, and during the peak season more than 100
tourists per day may pass through the area (Koh Rong
Sanloem CFi, unpublished data), hiring local boats
for sea cruises that anchor in seagrass areas and cause
further damage. No data are available from this busy
village to determine whether changes in water quality
may have aff ected the nearby seagrass bed.
Koh Rong Sanloem is a good place for seagrass,
but it is a popular fi shing site. We propose that the
MFMA zoning plan allows measures to reduce fi shing
impacts on this ecologically important area. During
this study, we observed T. hemprichii and H. pinifolia
by Koh Rong Sanloem. Earlier observations by MCC
(2011b) found a further two species—Cymodocea serru-
lata and Halophila ovalis—in the Koh Rong Sanloem
CFi that were not observed during our study. Their
precise locations were unclear from the report,
however, so there might not necessarily have been a
real change in species composition.
Seagrasses provide an important marine habitat
for a number of species and form an important part
of the coastal ecosystem linking mangroves to coral
reefs (Unsworth et al., 2006). Seagrass areas in the
Koh Rong Archipelago were predominantly associ-
ated with fringing mangroves, of which there are 128
hectares in the archipelago (FFI, unpublished data).
Large numbers of invertebrate species recorded at
several sites around Koh Rong Sanloem and Daem
Thkov Village provide further evidence of the impor-
tance of seagrass beds for a number of species. Three
species of seahorses were observed near Daem Thkov
Village and at least one, identifi ed as Hippocampus
spinosissimus, is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN
Red List (Wiswedel, 2012). In addition, octopuses and
crabs were observed in seagrass sites—both commer-
cially important taxa for local fi shers. Interviews with
fi shers suggest the crab fi shery has declined in this
area (Leng, 2013) and underline the importance of
protecting the remaining intact habitats.
There is evidence of general decline in the extent
of seagrass coverage over time in the Koh Rong Archi-
pelago. Previous surveys recorded seven seagrass
areas around Koh Rong (Skopal-Papin, 2011), but our
study identifi ed only three sites suitable for surveys.
Similarly, three suitable survey sites were previously
identifi ed around Koh Rong Sanloem (Skopal-Papin,
2011), but our study located only one. Anecdotal
reports suggest that one area northeast of Koh Rong
Sanloem used to have a small seagrass bed (included
on maps in Skopal-Papin, 2011), but that area was
impacted by spillage and pollution from a nearby fuel
trading depot, and the seagrass has gone. Conversely,
the current study suggests the sites surveyed around
Daem Thkov support the largest and most species-rich
area of seagrass, the extent of which is greater than
that reported by Skopal-Papin (2011). In addition,
seagrass sites around Prek Svay identifi ed by Skopal-
Papin (2011) were not located, although re-growth was
evident at a small, previously unrecorded seagrass
bed north of Koh Rong, near Koh Dong.
Human impacts appear to be widespread in
the remaining seagrass habitats in the archipelago,
including eff ects from fi shing and, potentially,
land-based pollution in some sites. Trawling and
push-ne ing are the most damaging fi shing activi-
ties for the seagrass beds in Cambodia (UNEP, 2008).
Specifi c examples have been gathered through local
interviews of trawlers damaging seagrass beds histor-
ically (e.g., near Koh Touch), as well as the perception
that illegal fast trawls are a signifi cant threat to local
livelihoods and marine resources (Leng, 2013).
It is important to note that our analysis did not
include all seagrass beds in the archipelago. National
natural resources maps (SCW, 2006) estimate there are
as many as 92 hectares of seagrass in the study site,
and Skopal-Papin (2011) reported approximately 47
hectares in the Koh Rong Archipelago: considerably
more than the 18 hectares estimated from this study
using 2013 data. It is important to recognise these
fi gures do not necessarily indicate the actual rate
of seagrass decline due to the diffi culties in directly
comparing data produced using diff erent methods
across diff ering spatial scales, and the limited histor-
ical data sources. During our study, some areas were
reported but not verifi ed during the fi rst site visits in
2013; for example, an area of seagrass to the east of
Koh Rong (Barnaby Olsen, pers. comm.). In contrast
to the intensive fi eld work undertaken here, the
available historical extent estimates from SCW used
coarse-resolution spatial data for the entire Cambo-
dian coast. Seasonal variations in extent are also
possible (Govindasamy et al., 2013), and the timings
of previous surveys of seagrass are unknown. While
providing the most detailed information available to
date, the seagrass distribution maps in Skopal-Papin
(2011) were not based on comprehensive archipelago-
wide surveys targeting seagrasses, and included rough
estimates of seagrass extent based on visual observa-
tions by divers (M. Skopal-Papin, pers. comm.).
45
© Centre for Biodiversity Conservation, Phnom PenhCambodian Journal of Natural History 2014 (1) 37–46
Seagrasses in the Koh Rong Archipelago
Despite such uncertainties among these various
data sets, an overall downward trend of seagrass
habitats is supported by anecdotal reports from local
people concerning human impacts on the seagrass
beds and declines in their extent. The present study
provides a more comprehensive baseline against
which future trends, and the eff ectiveness of manage-
ment activities, can be measured. This study also
highlights the challenges in tracking the various
national area-based targets for marine habitats. For
example, within the Strategic Planning Framework for
Fisheries, the government aims to secure at least 7,000
ha of seagrass under an appropriate form of sustain-
able management by the end of 2019 (FiA, 2011).
Conclusions
Seagrasses provide important habitats for commer-
cially valuable fi sh and invertebrate species. Our
study has found evidence of some declines in seagrass
coverage and species richness in the Koh Rong Archi-
pelago. This highlights the need for including seagrass
beds—in particular those around the village of Daem
Thkov—into conservation zones during the MFMA
zoning consultation, to ensure the long-term sustain-
ability of the MFMA and to meet national level targets
for marine habitat protection. Recent eff orts by the
CFi in Daem Thkov to reduce fi shing pressure within
seagrass habitats suggest that CFi members can play a
key role in preserving this crucial marine habitat.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Ouk Vibol and two anonymous reviewers
for providing advice and edits on this paper, and to
Nhem Vanna, Mom Sokdara, Hout Vuthy for their role
in data collection, as well as Kylie Gavard (Conserva-
tion Cambodia) and Rónán Mag Aoidh (Coral Cay
Conservation) who assisted in the 2014 surveys.
Choun Phirom and Sim Sovannrun helped to generate
the seagrass maps. Additionally, we thank the village
chiefs, Community Fishery Commi ees, and other
local people who cooperated in these surveys and
showed us where to fi nd seagrass. We would also
like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries, Department of Fisheries Conservation and
Fishery Cantonment at Preah Sihanouk Province for
their support and cooperation in the fi eld surveys.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the UK government’s
Darwin Initiative and Prince Albert II of Monaco
Foundation generously provided funds to support
this research to inform the design of the proposed
MFMA in the Koh Rong Archipelago.
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About the Authors
LENG PHALLA has worked with FFI’s Cambodia
Programme since July 2010. She joined as a volun-
teer for the Cambodian Elephant Conservation
Group before becoming a part time Project Assistant.
She supported offi ce-related activities and CECG
members to conduct fi eld studies to gather accurate
data on elephants and write reports. In August 2012,
Phalla became a Project Offi cer on FFI’s Marine Turtle
Conservation Project, taking part in research, project
support and administration, community engagement
and awareness-raising. Phalla has a BSc in Biological
Science and an MSc in Biodiversity Conservation from
the Royal University of Phnom Penh, including socio-
economic research on small-scale coastal fi sheries.
SOPHIE BENBOW has been working in conservation
with a focus on sustainable fi sheries management
since 2007. She has an MSc in Conservation from
University College London and was previously based
in Madagascar for fi ve years where she led research
into the southwest octopus fi shery, and supported an
assessment of seagrass within a newly formed Locally
Managed Marine Area. Sophie joined FFI in 2013 and
provides remote technical support to FFI’s marine
projects in countries throughout Asia.
BERRY MULLIGAN has a degree in Ecology from
the University of East Anglia, UK. He fi rst came to
Cambodia in 2006 to conduct a three-month fi eld
study of large waterbirds in Mondulkiri Province,
and research on Manchurian reed-warbler Acroceph-
alus tangorum and other passerines on the Tonle Sap
fl oodplain. Since then he has predominately worked
with small NGOs in Central America, particularly on
marine turtle conservation and research. He moved
to Cambodia in 2010 and is currently working with
the Fisheries Administration and partners to support
the establishment of a Marine Fisheries Management
Area in the Koh Rong Archipelago.