Training on non-fed mariculture techniques (mussels, oysters, sea cucumbers…)

Cambodia is rich in natural resources such as mangrove forests, and the coastal areas of Cambodia used to have the largest seagrass bed in Southeast Asia. However, Cambodian coastal areas, notably mangroves and seawaters, are facing significant destruction issues, mainly due to illegal fishing practices and port development.
Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) is a local NGO working to protect, conserve, and restore Cambodia’s marine environment. They focus on conservation and marine research to support the adaptable management of marine protected and management areas, promote responsible and sustainable fishing practices, and provide support and alternative source of income to local communities.

The NGO has played a key role in establishing Cambodia’s first Marine Fisheries Management Areas, and through their activities, they have contributed to the return of marine life to the area. This includes seagrass regrowth and an increase in marine mammal populations, among other positive outcomes.

MCC aims at providing alternative sources of income to struggling local fishing communities due to the collapse of the fisheries they normally rely on. The team is particularly interested in developing mariculture initiatives as it occurs naturally in Kep waters, will serve economic purposes but also participate in water filtration and marine habitat regeneration (bivalve beds). Currently, MCC is developing 2 projects related to bivalve mariculture and oyster reef regeneration with different partners which can provide technical support but only to a certain extent.

The team cannot rely on their usual self-training methods due to the specialized skills required. They need training and expertise in mariculture techniques to be able to implement these initiatives with a high potential for livelihood improvements.

The volunteer intervention should encompass the following topics:
-Assessing current infrastructures’ state and methodologies,
-Providing feedback and comments on the current strategy based on personal experience;
-Presenting complimentary or alternative initiatives from other mariculture sites in the world;
-Implementing trials in MCC conservation zone.

Ensure follow up of the improvements implemented during the visit.

Training location is MCC facilities .
Mission’s Agenda: Moves constantly because of climate reasons.

Day 1 to 2: The volunteer meets the team, learns about the context, and assesses the team’s skills, materials and infrastructures deployed regarding mariculture initiatives.

Day 3: The volunteer works with the team on the training schedule/content.

Days 4 to 6: Training on infrastructures improvement and/or new method deployment

Day 7: Training on data collection, and monitoring methodology (practical exercises).

Days 8: Training on data analysis, report writing, based on the data collected and analyzed during the training.

Day 9: Wrap-up meeting with the team.

Day 10: The volunteer travels back to Phnom Penh.

MCC’s office is located on a non-habited island in Cambodia. There are no restaurants or tourist facilities on the island. Living and working on Koh Ach Seh is not intended to provide a relaxing holiday experience. During their days off (Saturday/Sunday), volunteer can relax on the island or participate in team activities, but they are not permitted to engage in diving activities due to safety reasons.

Although not inherently dangerous, snakes, rats, and scorpions are commonly found on the island. Volunteer will receive information about the island and Cambodian etiquette. The MCC team expects volunteers to respect this etiquette.

The beneficiaries of the training will be 5 members of MCC’s research team. The research team members have scientific background (Master degrees in Marine Biology, conservation, Geography and Bachelor in fishery management) or strong local experience on fisheries in Cambodia (local fishermen and conservationists). However, most of them have not been specifically trained on mariculture, except the MCC trial project leader. The English level of the participants is good.

The volunteer will be welcomed at Phnom Penh Airport by a member of PU team and will be transported to a hotel near the airport for an overnight stay. The volunteer will leave by bus/mini-bus on Sunday at 7.00 am (approx. 3h30 of travel) to Kep, he will take a tuk-tuk from bus station to the pier and then he will take MMC’s boat at 3.00 pm to reach Koh Ach She Island (approx. 45min).
On the way back, the volunteer will travel on Friday by boat to Kep and then by mini-bus/bus to Phnom Penh for an overnight stay and will leave the country on Saturday night.

Airport Phnom Penh.

The volunteer will be staying at MCC’s facilities in Koh Ach She Island during the all mission. The volunteer will be staying in gender divided bungalows shared between two to six people, staff and volunteers mixed. Every room contains three bunk-beds with mosquito nets, power and light at night as well as an en suite bathroom with a rainwater bucket shower and toilet. This is not a luxury retreat; walls have holes and geckos living in the neighboring jungle.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be taken in the NGO’s facilities on the island. Vegetarian meals can be arranged but the volunteer has to be flexible.

-Volunteer should bring his own laptop.

-Power will be available in the bungalows at nighttime.

Wi-fi is not available on the island. The volunteer will use the data of a 4G Sim card provided by PU’s team upon their arrival in Phnom Penh.