Cambodia

Country Profile

Fish is central to Cambodia's diet, culture, economy, and food security, with one of the highest per capita fish consumption rates globally. Fish provides 76% of household protein intake and is the second most consumed food after rice. However, the availability and affordability of fish are declining for vulnerable populations, driven by a growing population, climate change, and the degradation of the Mekong River Basin and Tonle Sap floodplain due to dam construction and irrigation expansion. The decline in wild fish stocks, compounded by illegal fishing and insufficient management, further threatens food security. Action is needed to address the competition for water and land resources.

WorldFish’s Support

WorldFish has worked in Cambodia since 2006, partnering with the government and development organizations to enhance productivity and investment in agriculture and fisheries. Our research focuses on improving the productivity and resilience of wild fisheries in human-modified environments like rice fields and reservoirs, expanding aquaculture's role in nutrition security, especially for women and children, and promoting equitable benefit-sharing in land and water management. We support the creation of community fish refuges (CFRs) in the Tonle Sap region, which serve as safe breeding grounds for fish, enhance biodiversity, and improve food security for low-income households.

Key Initiatives

Mekong Fisheries Conservation: This project established 30 community-based learning hubs across six provinces, empowering villagers to improve natural resource management and fish ecology through knowledge exchange and capacity building. The initiative has led to a significant recovery of fisheries resources.

Sustainable Aquaculture and Community Fish Refuge Management (SAFR): Focused on improving fish production and governance in Kampong Thom province, SAFR has benefited over 70,000 people by enhancing CFR systems with Annual catch per fishing household estimated to have increased from 170 kg in 2021 to 250 kg in 2022.

USAID Feed the Future CFR Project: Between 2012–2020, this project improved 140 CFRs, benefiting over 110,000 households. From 2020–2023, with GIZ support, an additional 21 CFRs were established in Kampong Thom, aiding more than 17,000 households.

Fast Facts

Per capita fish consumption: 63 kg/year
27% of households engage in fishing activities.
In 2022, Cambodia's total fish production was 862,000 metric tons, with aquaculture contributing 330,600 metric tons.
32% of children under five in Cambodia are malnourished.

Enabling Impact

WorldFish has significantly contributed to Cambodia's aquatic food production through the promotion of small-scale fisheries and sustainable aquaculture. Projects like the Mekong Fisheries Conservation and SAFR have increased fish production, improved governance, and enhanced the livelihoods of thousands of households. The successful implementation of CFRs has led to a substantial increase in fish catches and improved food security for vulnerable communities.

Moving Forward

WorldFish, through the CGIAR Research Initiative on Asian Mega-Deltas, is developing integrated, nutrient-sensitive, and climate-resilient production systems in Cambodia. Efforts include climate-resilient mapping, cross-sectoral policy analysis, and capacity building to mitigate climate change impacts. The CaPFish Aquaculture project is driving sustainable, inclusive growth in Cambodia's aquaculture sector, strengthening governance, and supporting the Ministry of Fisheries in creating a more sustainable industry. The ASEAN-CGIAR program is set to begin its next phase in Kampong Thom province, focusing on regenerative agriculture practices to improve soil health and resilience in rice-fish integrated systems.

Partners

Department of Aquaculture Development, Fisheries Administration
Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Fisheries Administration
Department of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology
Fisheries Administration Cantonment, Kampong Thom, Takeo, Prey Veng
International Water Management Institute
International Rice Research Institute
Akphivath Neary Khmer Organization
Cambodia Development Resources Institute
International Institute of Rural Reconstruction
Royal University of Phnom Penh
Royal University of Agriculture
CGIAR
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)