A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Aquaculture and Aquatic Resource Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2008

This research studied the performance of community-based fisheries management (CBFM) and its socio-economic impacts on rural households within a fishing community in Cambodia. The main objectives of this study were as follows: To describe the current institutional arrangements of fisheries resources management; to determine the perceptions of the fishing community concerning management performance, specifically equity, efficiency, and biological sustainability; to analyze the socio-economic effects of community-based fisheries management on households within the community; to identify the problems and potentials of community-based fisheries management; and to provide recommendations for improving community-based fisheries management. This study was carried out in Krala Peah Village located within the Stung Treng Ramsar Site, Stung Treng Province. An evaluative research based on qualitative and quantitative approaches was used to assess the community fishery management scheme, and a survey questionnaire was used to assemble the information from a total of 48 sampled fisher households. Also, key informant interviews and a focus group discussion were conducted during the study. Krala Peah Community Fishery was established in 2000 through a compromise between villagers and local authorities with the facilitation and financial support of Culture and Environmental Preservation Association (CEPA). The objectives of the Community Fishery are to participate in managing, conserving, protecting and the sustainable use of the fisheries resources in the community, to use legal, small-scale fishing gear, and to improve the local livelihoods. The major findings of this study indicated that community-based fishery management has led to a more equitable and efficient fishery within Krala Peah Village. Although, it has not led to improved sustainability (fish habitats, species and abundance), it has reduced some factors which adversely affect the sustainability. Due to the outcomes of management performance, the socio-economic conditions of both poor and non-poor households have improved gradually. CBFM provides benefits to both groups equally, but non-poor households get more benefits since they have more equipment and resources than the poor households and therefore have more access to the fisheries resources. In addition, CBFM is successful as it has achieved both main respondents{u2019} objectives and other factors, such as a decrease in illegal fishing activities, and an increase in fish catches and regulation enforcement. Likewise, CBFM has achieved the objectives of the Community Fishery. However, CBFM still faces some problems constraining the success of CBFM, such as the Community Fishery has not yet been approved officially, there is a lack of cooperation with neighboring community fisheries and there is low capacity of the community members. As a result, the legal framework for community fisheries should be completed, CEPA should build capacity among the community members and Krala Peah Community Fishery should collaborate with adjacent community fisheries in managing their resources.