Cambodia Releases 850,000 Crabs to Restore Coastal Fisheries

By: Ngoeul Narath

KAMPOT, June 16, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia has released 850,000 blue swimming crabs into the Gulf of Thailand in a bid to rebuild declining marine stocks and support the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities, officials said Tuesday.

The release on June 15 was carried out under the “CamAdapt” project, which seeks to establish a sustainable “crab bank” in coastal waters, allowing populations to recover and reproduce before controlled harvesting.

The initiative comes amid rising demand and environmental pressures that have strained marine resources.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility and supported by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, CamAdapt aims to strengthen climate resilience for about 100,000 people while protecting 82,000 hectares of coastal ecosystems.

FAO Representative Rebekah Bell said the release was part of a wider effort to restore fisheries resources, noting more than 3 million crablets will be released across Kep, Kampot, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk by the end of the project.

Earlier this year, 340,000 crablets were released in Kep. CamAdapt also supports mangrove and oyster reef restoration, sustainable fisheries management and community‑led conservation.

Agriculture Ministry Secretary of State Khun Savoeun said enforcement would be needed to prevent illegal fishing in release zones and ensure crabs reach maturity.

He urged communities to adopt responsible practices, avoid destructive gear and return egg‑bearing crabs to the sea or designated crab banks.

Savoeun said marine conservation was a shared responsibility, adding that the initiative represented an investment in future food security, income generation and the long‑term sustainability of Cambodia’s coastal fisheries.