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As a result of the FACT and CFIs efforts along with relevant stakeholders to protect and conserve the local fishery resources, the fish catch has increased in the focal FCAs per family/per day as the average from 8KG in 2020 increased to 22.62 in July 2022. Consequently, the income from the fish catch has also improved per family/per day, as the average from 11 USD has increased to 15.51 USD.

The efforts of the CFi committee and communities, with support from FACT and local government, have resulted in very positive changes. Based on our catch monitoring, there has been a noticeable increase in fish stocks in areas outside of the fish conservation zones. This suggests that increasing protection measures within the conservation zones has tangible benefits for both fish stocks and local communities.” – Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fishery, Cambodia

During the monitoring mission, CEPF and ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� RIT visited the Phat Sanday commune by boat, where FACT hosted a meeting with the committee members and participants from the community, including representatives from Ministry of Environment, commune chief, community fishery committees, fishery administration officials, law enforcement team and provincial department of forestry and fishery.

������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� RIT and CEPF with FACT traveling by boat to the community protected area in Tonle Sap Lake. © ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Asia

This provided an open space for community members, local authorities and community fishery committees to discuss areas for improvement related to the project and highlight the overall status of project implementation to date. It also provided an opportunity for CEPF and ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� RIT to see the project is operating on the grounds and how the activities were being implemented by FACT and the community members, while providing support and guidance for future implementation.

CEPF and ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� RIT at Phat Sanday Commune. © ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��/Noor Ali

The fishery committee and community members are actively involved in the project implemented by FACT and have demonstrated a strong interest in biodiversity conservation. The commune councils have strongly committed to integrating the community fisheries management plan into the commune investment plan, as well as allocating the communal budget for fisheries conservation in the future, which would be a positive step towards sustainable fishery resource management in the Tonle Sap Lake.

CEPF and ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� RIT at FACT office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. © ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��/Noor Ali

The CEPF-financed project has importantly developed the capacity and skills of CFi committees in the four focal communes, promoting collaborative work among the stakeholders at all levels. - Mr. Youk Senglong, Executive Director of FACT.

FACT aims to further develop the capacity of the fishery committee and community members through regular trainings and consultations, so they can eventually manage the fishery conservation zone themselves in the future. The committee members also expressed the need for eco-tourism as a way for the local community to earn an income, but also to showcase the unique life of the community living in Phat Sanday. In the future, FACT will continue to facilitate biodiversity monitoring and the integration of new adaptive technology into fishery protection to support evidence-based fishery management.

Cambodia Indigenous Youth Association (CIYA) is��a civil society organisation that supports capacity building for the youth indigenous communities in Cambodia.

CEPF and the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� RIT also visited projects, such as CIYA's, focusing on ‘Strengthening Indigenous Youth Participation in Protection of the Northern Plains Seasonally Inundated Forests of Cambodia’, in line with��CEPF Strategic Direction 8 – Strengthen the capacity of civil society to work on biodiversity, communities and livelihoods at regional, national, local and grassroots levels.��

CEPF and ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� RIT with CIYA staff at the CIYA office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. © ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��/Noor Ali

Building on their existing long-term relationship with these communities and recognising the importance of engaging young people in natural resource management, CIYA has been supporting the development of indigenous youth groups in the three villages in Reab Roi commune of Preah Vihear province in Cambodia. The aim is to encourage youth to voice their concerns and priorities in dialogues and forums within the communities, and to develop and implement activities that respond to their need and priorities.

Youth activities to date have involved community cleaning sessions, including repairing community roads, bridges and pump wells, as well as participating in patrol activities to protect community forest lands.

Indigenous youth at CIYA office in Phnom Penh. © ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��/Noor Ali

CEPF and the RIT visited the CIYA office in Phnom Penh, to review the ongoing progress of the project. Upon arrival, the indigenous youth at CIYA greeted our team at the door and welcomed us into their office by performing a traditional indigenous dance, which was a very unique experience - what a performance!

Local indigenous youth perform a traditional dance at CIYA. © ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��/Noor Ali

After that, our team tasted the local indigenous food prepared by the indigenous community at CIYA and engaged in discussions to learn more about the project achievements, highlights and challenges during the reporting period.�� ��

Indigenous food prepared by local community at CIYA. © ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��/Alexander McWilliam

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A step towards inclusive development and biodiversity conservation

The monitoring visit is an important part of the project cycle as it is a way for the monitoring team to observe project achievements on the ground and engage in discussions with key stakeholders. This is also a way for the monitoring team to provide feedback to the grantees and discuss any challenges that may arise related to the project. Throughout the trip, core themes were highlighted by the community members as a focus area going forward, such as the importance of local community, women, and indigenous youth to be actively engaged in biodiversity conservation and protection of conserved areas to enable a sustainable and inclusive future, not only for ourselves, but future generations to come.

About CEPF

empowers non-governmental organizations, Indigenous groups, universities and private enterprises to protect the world’s biodiversity hotspots and help communities thrive. It is a joint initiative of l’Agence �������ç������e de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, and the World Bank. In the Indo-Burma Hotspot, it is also supported by the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� serves as CEPF’s Regional Implementation Team in the Indo-Burma hotspot.��

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