Simple concrete blocks help restore cambodia’s seagrass meadows and support local fishers

A groundbreaking study has revealed both troubling losses and promising solutions for Cambodia’s vital seagrass ecosystems. Researchers from Marine Conservation Cambodia created the first comprehensive map of the country’s coastal seafloor habitats, uncovering a 39% decline in seagrass coverage in Kampot province between 2013 and 2023. However, the study also documented successful recovery efforts using surprisingly simple technology: low-cost concrete blocks that prevent destructive trawling.

The research, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, surveyed over 150,000 acres across four coastal areas in the Gulf of Thailand. Teams of divers documented seagrass beds, coral reefs, and shellfish habitats at hundreds of survey points, combining underwater observations with aerial photography to create detailed habitat maps. Their findings highlight how destructive fishing practices, combined with warming seas and coastal development pressures, are devastating these underwater meadows that serve as nurseries for fish and other marine life.

The most encouraging discovery came from the Kep Marine Fisheries Management Area, where simple anti-trawling structures have allowed seagrass meadows to recover while supporting small-scale fishing communities. These concrete blocks prevent large trawling nets from scraping the seafloor, giving fragile seagrass time to regrow. For the thousands of Kep residents whose livelihoods depend on healthy marine ecosystems, this low-tech solution offers hope that local communities can effectively protect their coastal waters from industrial fishing damage while maintaining sustainable fishing practices.