Pathways of change in a coastal resource system: Study from Kampong Trach district, Kampot province

Over the past several years, Cambodia’s coastal resources system has undergone
considerable transformation. The causes have included uncontrolled fishing activities,
tourism development, salt and shrimp farming, sand mining, and trade, to name just
the most significant. Against this background, this study analyzes pathways of change
over the past 15 years in coastal resource systems in two neighboring communities
in the Kampong Trach district of Kampot province. The analysis proceeds on two
different levels. We first look at change in respect of the cross-scale multiple drivers
in the resource system at village level and its effects on the social and ecological
components of the marine, intertidal and agricultural areas of the coastal zone. Then,
at household level, we examine the diversity of adaptation measures adopted to
deal with these changes, and evaluate their impacts on livelihoods.
We argue that the degradation of fisheries resources in marine and intertidal zones
results from drivers that originate outside and inside the communities, but mostly stems
from problems of governance. Despite tangible improvements in rain-fed rice yield,
the development of the farming sector is constrained by limited capacity to diversify
and intensify production. The adaptation paths to this resources degradation squeeze
are multiple.
The few households who can afford to enhance or intensify their farming and fishing
efforts usually manage to improve their food security status. But in a majority of
cases, the adaptation works through a move away from the land and the sea, either
through self-employed non-farm and non-fishing activities (local business associated
with cross-border trade with Vietnam) or through wage labor. Self-employed
activities and demand more capital but represent the main path of improvement in
these communities. Wage labor - particularly associated with migration - has become
widespread but its potential to improve food security is very limited. Accessing credit
and going into debt is another significant way in which people have attempted to
adapt either to address chronic food insecurity or to maintain the same level of
productivity.The increase of mobility is a central element in adaptation strategy adopted by
many who have been affected. This includes: mobility of labor (non-farm, wage and
migration); the mobility of capital (e.g. conversion from marine zone fishing to trade);
and mobility of landownership (occurring through market-based land concentration).
However, we suggest that these processes of adaptation have actually reinforced the
wealth disparity that exists between households. It has particularly exacerbated the
vulnerability of those who are most dependent on small-scale fisheries.