ABOUT PEMSEA> PEMSEA SITE: Demonstration
SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA

Sihanoukville is characterized by extensive stretches of coral reefs and mangrove forests. The quality of coastal waters is affected by the general water quality of the Gulf of Thailand although industrialization and urbanization are yet to take place.

There are, however, ongoing efforts to build the area into the largest deep water international port in the country. The government has also made it a priority to develop tourism in the area. A billion dollar project was initiated in December 1994 for the construction of tourism infrastructure. The potential impacts of port development and tourism may have overarching effects on the traditional fisheries and the habitats of coral reefs and mangroves in the site. The environmental and management issues evident in the area include: (a) watershed destruction; (b) fishing habitat degradation; (c) discharge of untreated sewage; (d) and discharge of factory wastes. These issues are made even more difficult to address because the legal and institutional mechanisms in the area are yet to evolve to a degree capable of effectively meeting the needs for an integrated management of the coastal areas.

Concerned by the impending coastal problems, national and local government agencies in collaboration with PEMSEA launched the Sihanoukville Integrated Coastal Management Project to address the above problems.

Contact Person:

H.E. Prak Sihara
PMO Director, Sihanoukville ICM Project
Second Deputy Governor, Ministry of Interior
Project Management Office
Sihanoukville National ICM Demonstration Project, Sihanoukville
Mondol 3, Sangkat 3, Khan Mittapheap
Municipality of Sihanoukville
Cambodia
Tel: +855 34 933-994
Fax: +855 34 933-996