Massive land reclamation to house the Kampot International Port and a coal plant that powers it have nearly decimated the livelihoods of local fisherfolk and mangrove swamps, the breeding ground of marine life.
Not too long ago, they lived comfortably catching two to three kilos of fish, crabs and prawns daily but that’s all gone, leaving them with daily earnings of just 20,000 to 30,000 riel (5 to 7.50 US dollars) a day, if that. “The port might have blocked the fish shelter,” fisherman Bunthoen wondered.
The reclamation, which occurred over 10 years, was opposed by the people but “nothing turned,” said fisherman Saran, who lost 10 meters of his land for the construction of a canal that runs in front of his house.
Along with the reclamation covering 678 hectares of the sea, with phase one completed at 140 million US dollars, villagers also suffer environmental and health hazards due to the coal plant, particularly during the dry season.
This story was produced with support from Internews' Earth Journalism Network. It was first published by Kiripost on October 14, 2024. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Banner image: Local fisherfolk continue to fish the waters around Kamot Internationl Port, though they say the marine life has drastically reduced in recent years / Credit: Chhun Bunchhai.
Chhun Bunchhai
