AKP Phnom Penh, April 02, 2026 --

International conservation charity Fauna & Flora, in collaboration with Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, has launched a community-led initiative dubbed "Women’s Wave" on the island of Koh Sdach in Koh Kong province to combat marine pollution and support local livelihoods.

According to Fauna & Flora, the project focuses on the collection and upcycling of discarded fishing nets into marketable products. By transforming waste into a source of supplemental income, the initiative aims to provide economic opportunities for local women while mitigating the environmental impact of "ghost nets"—abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear that poses a lethal threat to marine biodiversity.

Discarded nets are among the most hazardous forms of marine debris, frequently entangling sea life and leading to a decline in fish stocks. For the Koh Sdach community, which relies heavily on fishing for food security and revenue, the degradation of the marine ecosystem directly threatens their way of life.

Funded by the Blue Action Fund, the project is implemented through the Fisheries Administration of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 

Fauna & Flora expressed gratitude to the provincial authorities of Koh Kong, as well as the district and commune administrations of Kiri Sakor and Koh Sdach, for their active support in facilitating the programme.

By K. Rithy Reak