Cambodia’s massive funan techo canal project puts coastal fishing communities and marine ecosystems at risk

In the coastal waters of Cambodia’s Kep province, fisherman Mae Vuthy voices a concern shared by many in his community: “Nobody from the government has spoken to us directly about how we’ll be affected.” Vuthy and fellow fishers in Angkoal commune are facing an uncertain future as Cambodia moves forward with the ambitious Funan Techo Canal, a mega-infrastructure project that will connect the Mekong River to the sea through their fishing grounds.

The canal project threatens to transform the quiet fishing village of Angkoal into a major port and logistics hub, adding new pressures to marine communities already struggling with declining fish populations. Years of illegal fishing and rapid coastal development have severely damaged Cambodia’s marine fisheries, leaving local fishers like Vuthy with increasingly disappointing catches from the Gulf of Thailand.

Environmental journalists have been tracking this controversial project for over a year, interviewing more than 50 residents along the proposed canal route spanning Kandal, Takeo, and Kep provinces. The planned waterway represents a significant threat not only to traditional fishing livelihoods but also to the delicate marine ecosystems of the region. Coastal communities, already facing land privatization pressures and resource depletion, now confront the prospect of large-scale industrial development that could permanently alter their way of life.

As Vuthy noted from his longtail fishing boat, local communities feel powerless in the face of this massive government initiative, highlighting the broader environmental justice issues surrounding large infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia.