Cottonni was first introduced to Cambodia in 1999. More than 500 kg of Eucheuma alverezii or Eucheuma cottonni was brought from Malaysia by a Malaysian company called 'Star Private Enterprise Limited', which started cultivating this seaweed close to the Prek Treng bridge of Sihanoukville, and then moved to Ream. Due to some problems with the Royal Navy in the area, production was again moved to Stung Hav. After that, the office was moved and finally settled in Koh Tunsay in Kep province. In Kep, there were more challenges with illegal competitors, so again the project was forced to move office to Prek Ampil Commune of Kampot province by the end of 2000. From 1999 to 2000, the company completely lost any profit because only 16 tons of seaweed were exported to Malaysia. In 2001, the company exported about 303 tons of seaweed and got more benefits, but in 2002 the production decreased to 241 tons due to the poor quality of the seaweed. The company plans to increase the production to 345 tons of export by the middle of May 2003.
The study has focused on reviews of literatures, socio-economic surveys and direct observations in the site to evaluate the socio-economic benefits of seaweed farming and the impacts of seaweed farming on the environment.
Many fieldwork activities were carried out in the site including direct observation, and many stakeholders, especially two groups of fishers and seaweed farmers, have been randomly selected for interview. Data were analysed and interpreted and incorporated into the report. The report also included farming history and techniques, problems encountered, social and environmental impacts, and policy guidelines. Conclusions and recommendations were also mentioned.
The study was strongly anchored on both social and economic surveys. Future plans include a scientific study on the project's biological and ecological impacts.
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