An assessment of marine turtle population status and conservation in Cambodia

Abstract

Cambodian waters historically supported significant nesting populations of marine turtles up to the early 20th century. However, although fishing and coastal development have intensified, marine turtle conservation has received little recent attention. We collate the available information on Cambodian marine turtles by summarizing NGO and government data from provincial consultations, fisheries surveys and nesting beach surveys, and synthesize our findings into recommendations for the conservation of marine turtles in Cambodia. The available data indicate that a small and highly threatened marine turtle population persists, despite significant declines driven by intense historical harvesting, widespread bycatch, loss of nesting habitat, marine wildlife trade and ongoing poor compliance with wildlife protection regulations. To improve the conservation status of Cambodian turtles, we recommend (1) revising relevant legislation to better protect marine turtle habitats whilst increasing compliance with gear restrictions and threatened species laws in priority sites, (2) trialling alternative fishing gear or gear modifications to reduce bycatch, (3) continuing capacity building for locally driven marine turtle conservation science, (4) identifying and mapping beaches with high nesting potential and protecting them from further coastal development, and (5) investing in transboundary collaborations to improve the monitoring and management of the turtle populations that range between Cambodia and neighbouring countries.

Genetic structure and diversity of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in the Gulf of Thailand

“…Green turtle nesting behavior in the Gulf of Thailand has decreased to <50% of the 1995 level [2]. Some green turtle populations, especially in Southeast Asia, have declined due to various anthropogenic threats (by-catch in fisheries, legal and illegal harvest of turtles), collection of eggs, marine pollution, habitat degradation by coastal development, or altered habitat quality at nesting beaches and feed grounds, including an increase in sea level due to climate change [3]. Thus, green turtle is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources [4].…”

Putting communities at the heart of marine conservation

“…Surveys in 2019 revealed signs of recovery in Koh Rong, such as increases in hard coral coverage and grouper and parrotfish biomass. Also in Cambodia, stakeholders including NGOs and government are applying mixed methods, gathering data from local communities and nesting beach surveys to investigate the conservation status of sea turtles, showing that a small, highly threatened population remains (Duffy et al, 2023). As a result, a number of priority conservation actions have been suggested, including strengthening local capacity for sea turtle conservation, recognizing the role that charismatic marine species can play in catalysing community-level action.…”