Abstract
This paper sets out to explore fishers’ perceptions of environmental change in coastal Cambodia and to then examine the role of local institutions in working with villagers to adapt to such challenges. The analysis shows that: (1) fishers observe species decline, irregular tides and a change in weather patterns; and (2) local institutions have been working to address some of these issues through a series of resource management and livelihood projects for over a decade. We note that local institutions are well placed to deal with certain types of environmental change projects, such as protecting small patches of mangrove trees or creating fish sanctuaries, along with less controversial, tourism-related projects. It is impossible, however, for local institutions to tackle bigger issues, such as over-fishing or large-scale resource extraction. Fishing villages are dealing with multiple challenges (environmental change and beyond), which may make fishing a less viable option for coastal villagers in the medium to long term. As such, key policy responses include acknowledging and building upon the work of local institutions, enhanced support for patrolling at national and provincial levels, developing response scenarios for coastal environmental change, involving local institutions in scientific monitoring and piloting projects that consider fishing and non-fishing livelihoods.
Highlights
Fishers, those living in resource-dependent villages, rely upon natural resources for much of their livelihood
This combination of interviews with fishers and representatives of local institutions has shed the following insights onto perceptions of environmental change, the role of local institutions and general resource management work found in Peam Krasaop Wildlife Sanctuary, in coastal Cambodia
Protection activities help buffer against species decline and loss; ecotourism is a money-making enterprise, which enables villagers to benefit from their resource-protection work, and can generate funds for local institutions to sustain their activities once project money has dried up
Summary
School of International Development and Global Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, 120 University Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada General Department of Administration for Nature Conservation and Protection, Ministry of Environment, 48 Preah Sihanouk Boulevard, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Received: 11 February 2014; in revised form: 15 April 2014 / Accepted: 16 April 2014 /
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