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Effects of a fisheries co-management project on rural poor households in Kandal Province, Cambodia | |
Author | Chea Chantum |
Call Number | AIT Thesis no.RD-04-04 |
Subject(s) | Fishery management--Cambodia Farmers--Cambodia--Economic conditions Farmers--Cambodia--Social conditions |
Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science |
Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
Abstract | The research dealt with the effects of fisheries co-management project on rural poor households in Kandal province, Cambodia. The main objectives of this research were to assess socio-economic characteristics of beneficiaries from the poor households; to analyze social, economic, institutional and environmental effects of fisheries co-management on beneficiaries of poor households; to gain feedback of beneficiaries focusing on their participation, awareness and satisfaction on fisheries co-management; to identify problems, potentials and needs of farmers in the fisheries co-management project; and to give recommendations to improve fisheries co-management performance for fishery resources management in the future. Fisheries co-management is an output of fisheries' policy reform in Cambodia since 2000 attempting to alleviate poverty of rural population in Cambodia, and to manage and use fishery resources with sustainability and equitable distraction of its resources. The research was conducted in two villages namely Snorka and Kdey Kandal in different two communes namely Barong and Sarikakaev respectively where were engaged in fishing in fisheries co-management domain of fishing lot 18 in Lvea Aem district of Kandal province. The research used a standardized questionnaire with a total 60 sampled poor household's beneficiaries, group discussion and key informants interview. The research was focused on both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. The main findings of this research showed that the poor beneficial households were satisfied with fish production, occupation, income, and food security obtained from fisheries co-management. There were satisfied with their participation, awareness raising and usefulness obtained from the project. The beneficial households who were the poor households were affected by the project significantly in economic aspects in relation to the change of fish production, occupation and income. The projects had generated significant environmental aspects regarding violation and threatening on natural resources that created illegal fishing. The beneficiaries received training program that empowered them institutionally. There were no much effects on social aspects as many of them were in a shortage of food. Major problem faced in the area was the decline of fish catching status in fisheries co-management area of fishing lot 18. Cutting inundated forest and environmental change were also created the decrease of fish catching and its products. The government concerned agencies faced with the problems on lack of budget to run activities and poor cooperation with other agencies to patrol illegal activities affecting to the performance of fisheries co-management. There were huge potentials in the study villages that could be more beneficial in future due to an abundance of natural resources in the area. Certain recommendations were given in this research to improve fisheries co-management performance for fishery resources management in the future. These were focused on the reduction of illegal fishing, catching head-snake fingerling from the reservoir, cutting inundated forest and clarification of fishing lot boundaries, promotion of job opportunities in order to reduce the number of fishermen, provision of appropriate extension services and trainings to the poor households, continuation of fishery community, and improvement and development of water gates, dams and canals in order to recover unused land of farmers. |
Year | 2004 |
Type | Thesis |
School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
Academic Program/FoS | Rural Development, Gender and Resources (RD) |
Chairperson(s) | Soparth Pongquan |
Examination Committee(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko ;Chandhana Indhapanya |
Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship |
Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |