At a meeting on strengthening community fisheries management in Kep Province, Ouch Chean, a community leader from Kampong Tralach, stood as a voice for his people, sharing both the struggles and the dreams of his community.
Held on 3 October 2025, the gathering brought together government officials, community leaders, and NGOs—including Action Education / Aide et Action (AEA)—to discuss marine conservation, community fisheries management, and improving the livelihoods of fishing communities.
“In my community, there are 149 members, and 90% are fishermen,” Chean explained. “But they don’t drive boats—they walk along the shore. They use nets, collect clams, or push nets in the water to catch fish. At least 10 of us sell seafood at the Crab Market.”
Life in Kampong Tralach is far from easy.
“Our challenge? The road to access our community!” he said without hesitation. After a moment of reflection, he added: “Our Fishery Community Committee needs to be more active.” Yet even in the face of hardship, Chean’s optimism is evident.
Crab Farms: Kep’s Seeds of Hope
Under its CO-SAVED project, co-funded by the EU, AEA supports fishing families, such as those in Kampong Tralach, to build economic resilience while protecting their coastal ecosystems.
“In my community, AEA has supported the building of a wooden bridge, two roofs, one terrace for 40 people, and entrepreneurship funds for three families working in the non-formal economy. We’ve also started planning a mangrove nursery. We want to plant more mangroves and create a dedicated reforestation space,” Chean said.
Kampong Tralach community members are also experimenting with innovative ways to sustain livelihoods while protecting their environment.
“We do muddy crab raising,” Chean explained. “Six families are already working on it. It’s not open to tourists and visitors yet because we first need a road to access it. Only some people and NGO workers come for now, but we hope to develop eco-tourism in the future.”
The Road to a Sustainable Future: Empowering Fishing Communities
“Our progress is slow because we have economic challenges,” he admitted. Yet his commitment to community development and environmental protection remains unwavering.
The event gathered government officials, NGOs, and five fishing communities in Kep—Phum Thmei, Ou Krasar, Kampong Tralach, Kep, and Angkol—to share experiences and plan actions to protect marine biodiversity and improve community livelihoods.
For Chean, the road ahead is clear, even if physically it is not yet fully built.
“We need more support, yes—but we also have ideas,” he concluded. His story illustrates that sustainable development is not just about protecting nature—it is about empowering local communities to shape their own future.
