HomeBiodiversity ProjectsCambodian Seagrass - Endangered Wildlife OÜ

The Seagrass Conservation Project at Marine Conservation Cambodia is trying to conserve and extend the existing Cambodian coastal seagrass meadows. By protecting these meadows and supporting their expansion, the Project is helping to sustain local fishing and coastal communities who rely on seagrass resources.

Seagrasses are angiosperms found in shallow marine and estuarine waters. In the Kep archipelago, seagrasses inhabit subtidal areas with sand, mud and silt substrates. Each part of seagrass (green leaves, shoots, roots and rhizomes) plays various key roles in coastal social-ecological systems.

Seagrasses are considered to be one of the Earth’s most productive plant communities, providing food and habitat to nearly 70% of all sea life.

Key threats include: residential and commercial development; biological resource use; pollution; climate change and severe weather; IUU fishing activities (specifically bottom trawlers)