Cambodia: Ocean Stewardship Program

Introduction

The Ocean Stewardship Program i is a long established island-based marine conservation
initiative in Cambodia. The program is located in southwest Cambodia and centres its efforts on
assisting coastal communities in the Koh Rong archipelago. Resting in a well-managed
conservation area, with enormous conservation potential, this is the ideal place to develop diving
skills and engage in pioneering marine conservation.

Our early efforts included establishing the first recognised marine reserve in Cambodia, setting
up an artificial reef programme, delivering a youth environment education initiative and creating
the first solid waste management system in the Archipelago.

By taking part in the Ocean Stewardship Program, you have the unique opportunity to work
with seasoned professionals, contributing to a lasting legacy for marine and community
conservation in Cambodia. Data collected on the project will serve to assist in the management
of Cambodia’s first Marine National Park (an internationally recognised marine reserve) and you
will be among the only people collecting on-going marine survey data for this protected area.

Your involvement in the project will promote the conservation and preservation of one of the
most pristine marine environments in the lower Mekong region.

Daily Life

The first week of the programme is dedicated to the completion of the PADI Advanced Open
Water certifications, our as qualified instructor takes you through all the necessary steps to obtaining this certification. For those who are already certified, week one can be spent refreshing dive skills, maintaining our coral nursery and collaborating on community projects, including education workshops in the local community or beach clean-ups. These projects are also a great way to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings!

Once in possession of your shiny new certificate, the following two weeks will be given over to an engaging Coral Reef Ecology course, during which you will attend lectures, workshops and take part in practical in-water training sessions. At certain times of year, volunteers may be lucky enough to also participate Seagrass Ecology course in preparation for seagrass bed monitoring.

As weeks 3 & 4 roll around you will be ready to start collecting marine survey data, which is the climax of the expedition, The focus of data collection varies through the year, determined by the needs of the Marine National Park. On average, you will complete two dives or snorkels per day,however this is dependent on weather conditions and base logistics, thus there may be days when this is not possible. During these days, there are ample opportunities to get involved with other aspects and initiatives of the Foundation, such as engaging in community projects (e.g. assisting our community team teach English classes to local children or participating in livelihood support).

A typical survey dive or snorkel will take one hour, during which time you will collect population and species richness data for corals, fish, and invertebrates, assess substrate type and gather ancillary data. During seagrass monitoring season, data collection will focus on seagrass species present, percentage cover and mapping the boundaries of seagrass beds. At the end of each dive day, all data will be entered into a collective database for analysis.

For those with less time but a desire to make a difference, during the seagrass data collection season volunteers without diving qualifications can join for 2 weeks, complete our Seagrass Ecology course and work with the dive team to collect data on this critical ecosystem. During the evenings there will be opportunities to relax in a beach bar, try your hand at pool or darts, and read in our comfortable cabana – to name just a few ideas!

Travel and Accom.

During the expedition you will be living in our dedicated sustainability centre, located in a small village on the north side of Koh Rong Island. It is a traditional Cambodian-style building nestled within the local community. Each secure room is shared between a maximum of two volunteers, and is furnished with a fan, shelves, pillows, mattresses, and mosquito nets. You will need to provide your own bed linen and towels. Electricity is available in the village 24 hours a day.

Training will be delivered at an air-conditioned building in a nearby facility which has 24-hour electricity, fast free WiFi, and hot water shower facilities, as well as a gym available for use durin your time off.

You will be served three meals per day, cooked by trained Khmer chefs with a balanced and
diverse array of choices (vegetarian, vegan and dietary requirements can easily be
accommodated). Unlimited drinking water will be provided during your stay.. We have a fully trained doctor on hand 24/7, in case of any illness. You may wish to purchase additional snacks, drinks, and personal items during your stay, for which a weekly budget of $60 USD is recommended. There are several restaurants in the local village and a newly built road allowing access to explore the rest of the island of Koh Rong in your free time. Please note there are no ATMs on the island, thus you should budget accordingly.
Upon arrival in Cambodia, you will need to make your own accommodation and internal travel
arrangements prior to the expedition start.

On the first day of your expedition, you will be met by project representatives in Sihanoukville town (approximately 2 and a half – 3 hours by bus from Phnom Penh) and guided to the field site by speedboat. Recommendations for internal travel arrangements and suggested accommodation for your pre-arrival time in Cambodia can be provided upon request.

Requirements

• Minimum age 18
• Interest in marine conservation and sustainable development
• Healthy level of general fitness and stamina
• Ability to work within a team environment
• Ability to swim 200 m unaided
• PADI Advanced Open Water certified (we can teach you this course on-site! But you
  must be PADI Open Water certified as a minimum)
• Minimum 4 weeks commitment
• Good English skills
• Necessary vaccinations as advised by your local travel nurse or GP
• Necessary flight & visas
• Valid passport (minimum 6 months until expiry from date of entry in Cambodia)
• Travel & medical insurance (to include unlimited diving up to 30 m depth). Full assistance will be provided in getting everything you will need ready if you choose our Placement Support Package.

N.B. Visas for Cambodia are very easy to get, and are obtained at the airport on arrival
N.B. You will need to provide your own scuba mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit (3-5 mm
recommended) and booties. All other dive equipment will be provided for you on-site.

Costs

• First 4 weeks = US$2550 (flat rate)
• Additional 1-week blocks (after the initial 4 weeks) = US$250 per week
• PADI Advanced Open Water course (as required) = US$350 (includes all manuals,
  learning materials and activities – no hidden costs!)

* Check the latest currency conversions with xe.com
** All payments incur a 5% bank transfer fee
*** Placements are confirmed with a $500 deposit, minimum 4 weeks booking

What’s Included:

Project Fee includes;

• All program activities, including scuba diving and field trips
• PADI scuba diving course fees and learning manuals (if applicable)
• Accommodation & food (3 hot meals per day)
• In-country support from experienced program staff
• WiFi
• Access to a gym
• Hot water showers
• Return speedboat from the mainland to island-site

What’s not included:

• Flights
• Travel Insurance
• Airport drop-off
• Personal expenses
• Return speedboat from the mainland to island-site
• local land transfers, scuba mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, water clothes, and booties are not included.
• Visas (if applicable) and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged if you choose our Premium Support.

Premium Support Upgrade

We understand there’s a great deal to plan and organise for your trip. When booking a Placement, many of our participants choose to purchase our Premium Support Upgrade to benefit from the expertise, knowledge and experience of our Project Coordinators.

We can provide the personal advice you need to ensure your trip is organised with excellence and planned with efficiency; ensuring the very best experience possible. Read more about how we can help you.

FAQ

What impact(s) or benefits (upon the local community or environment) does this
project have (tailor this to all the different projects you have)?

Based in Southwest Cambodia in the Koh Rong Archipelago, local communities are heavily
dependent on the sea for their livelihood and health. Knowing that marine ecosystems are vitally important to human well-being and development, our Ocean Stewardship Program has several initiatives that have assisted in conservation and sustainable development of both ecosystems and communities.

Through effective collaborative efforts between the villagers and officials, in 2006, Cambodia’s first marine reserve was implemented, protecting coral reefs and fishing grounds. The success of this marine reserve was demonstrated through the rebounding of local fish stocks and corals populations and has since set a precedent that has allowed for an expansion of this conservation area, protecting more islands within the archipelago in a Marine Fisheries Management Area in June 2016, upgraded to an internationally recognised Marine National Park (MNP) in 2018.

As a participant on our Ocean Stewardship Program your primary objective, once scientific training has been completed, will be to assist in data collection comprising of species richness and biomass data for corals, fish, and invertebrates. You will also be assessing substrate type and gathering ancillary data (i.e. water temperature, underwater visibility etc.). All this data is then entered into a collective database and analysed by our team and the Cambodian Ministry of the