top of page

organization. Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC)

date. 2013-14

​

​

After 2 years of science and more than 300 research dives in low-vis water around Hong Kong, I decided to take a break from the city, in pursuit of a clear blue ocean. I bought my one-way ticket and after many hours of travel I arrived Koh Rong Samloem, MCC's 1st project island outside the coast of Sihanoukville. Living on the island was very basic: electricity only ran from 6-11pm, shower from a big blue bucket which stored water from nearby river & rainwater, weekly supplies from mainland where everything were to be carried from the boat to the kitchen. Everyday we head out to the Corral Bay to monitor seahorses, and spent another half of the day for beach cleanups, teaching local kids english (or us learning Khmer), or repairing & decorating local schools.

​

After 3 months, I was welcomed by Paul to assist in setting up the first aquarium in Cambodia, Kep Oceanarium. My interest in corals grew stronger when I was moving them around for "decoration". I started propagating corals in tank and eventually transplanted them to our restoration site on Koh Seh. I also gave guided tour to tourists and introduced them about Cambodian marine lives and local marine conservation issues. It was the first time I realized the challenge in explaining science to the public.. sometimes you have to be creative and tell a story, instead of giving them scientific facts!

​

I spent the rest of my time on a new project site at Koh Seh, working with the MCC team to carry out baseline surveys in order to record the diversity of the site and nearby islands, monitor the coral garden, build new bungalows, explore the island and play volleyballs with the police who were stationing on the island to keep out Vietnamese fishermen from Cambodian territories.

Koh Rong Samloem

Koh Rong Samloem

my first day arriving the island

IMG_1581

IMG_1581

IMG_1661

IMG_1661

IMG_1530

IMG_1530

IMG_1425

IMG_1425

seahorse!

seahorse!

pretending to be one of the spines of the pencil urchin.

IMG_2292

IMG_2292

IMG_2431

IMG_2431

IMG_2981 2

IMG_2981 2

IMG_3267 2

IMG_3267 2

IMG_1126

IMG_1126

IMG_1078

IMG_1078

IMG_3041 2

IMG_3041 2

IMG_0880

IMG_0880

IMG_1674 2

IMG_1674 2

IMG_1669 2

IMG_1669 2

IMG_0269

IMG_0269

Cambodian fishermen around Koh Sen

Cambodian fishermen around Koh Sen

Describe your image.

Cambodian fishermen around Koh Sen

Cambodian fishermen around Koh Sen

Describe your image.

Cambodian fishermen around Koh Sen

Cambodian fishermen around Koh Sen

Describe your image.

IMG_1044

IMG_1044

IMG_2795 2

IMG_2795 2

IMG_3317 2

IMG_3317 2

IMG_3888 2

IMG_3888 2

IMG_1349 2

IMG_1349 2

IMG_0619

IMG_0619

IMG_0537

IMG_0537

bungalows

bungalows

where we stay on the island. very simple toilet with water bucket for shower and bunk beds.

IMG_0540

IMG_0540

IMG_0751

IMG_0751

IMG_1118

IMG_1118

IMG_2345

IMG_2345

island ecosystem

island ecosystem

Describe your image.

IMG_0798

IMG_0798

10155464_10203595576229592_521751260450760696_n

10155464_10203595576229592_521751260450760696_n

after party

after party

Describe your image.

Last night for romain! Cheers ;)

Last night for romain! Cheers ;)

Describe your image.

xD

xD

Describe your image.

pop up park

pop up park

ferris wheel drive

ferris wheel drive

top of white mountain

top of white mountain

bottom of page