MRPO
Marine Resource Protection Organisation
Selected research and reports by MRPO’s team, board and advisers, including work published with other organisations.
Five years of diving observations document coordinated daytime spawning in Pavona corals across Thailand and Cambodia, helping researchers identify seasonal windows for monitoring coral reproduction.
Team contributors: Matt Glue
Surveys of 91 Cambodian reef sites examine how water conditions and protection relate to marine communities, providing evidence for better connected coastal conservation planning.
Team contributors: Matt Glue
Documents seagrass species, cover and distribution across three community fisheries in Kampot. The surveys provide a local ecological baseline for understanding habitat differences and informing future monitoring and conservation planning.
Team contributors: Chantha Chroeng
Cambodian Journal of Natural History, 2025(2), 112–120
Read paper : Diversity, abundance and distribution of seagrasses in three community fisheries, Kampot Province, Cambodia (opens in a new tab)Environmental DNA from Cambodian coastal waters reveals fish diversity across different habitats, demonstrating a monitoring approach that can support marine protected area planning and conservation.
Team contributors: Matt Glue
Research in Chrouy Pros Bay measures carbon stored in seagrass soils and examines environmental influences, showing why connected coastal habitats matter for blue carbon management.
Team contributors: Chantha Chroeng · Matt Glue
Examines rural food vendors as Cambodia’s diets shift toward purchased and prepared foods. The poster considers their role in food access and the nutritional questions raised by changing consumption patterns.
Team contributors: Chantha Chroeng
Surveys document wildlife in two Cambodian mangrove conservation areas, including juvenile fish and threatened species, offering evidence to guide protection of these coastal ecosystems.
Team contributors: Matt Glue
Fauna & Flora and Fishing Cat Ecological Enterprise
Read the report : Mangrove Biodiversity Survey Report: Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary & Koh Kapik Ramsar Site, Cambodia 2023 (opens in a new tab)A regional overview of sea turtle populations, threats and conservation efforts, including Cambodia. It connects nesting and bycatch information with the practical challenges of protecting turtles across national boundaries.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin · Matt Glue
SWOT Report, volume 19
Read article : Sea Turtles of Southeast Asia (opens in a new tab)A synthesis of surveys and conservation records assesses Cambodia’s remaining marine turtles and identifies priorities for reducing bycatch, protecting nesting habitat and strengthening regional cooperation.
Team contributors: Marianne Teoh
Long-term reef surveys across East Asia examine coral cover alongside environmental and social pressures, highlighting why apparently stable cover still requires careful monitoring and management.
Team contributors: Matt Glue
Comparing marine protected areas worldwide, this study explores how locally tailored fishing restrictions can protect biodiversity while recognising coastal communities’ rights and dependence on marine resources.
Team contributors: Marianne Teoh
A workshop report examines ways to finance marine protection and management, sharing practical approaches for overseas territories and the organisations supporting their conservation work.
Team compiler: Marianne Teoh
A conservation update describes reef monitoring and community involvement in Cambodia’s marine protected areas, linking local management efforts with evidence used to assess ecosystem recovery.
Team contributors: Matt Glue · Marianne Teoh
Research across Cambodian coastal sites examines plastic waste, disposal practices and management gaps, identifying practical opportunities to reduce pollution and support communities affected by it.
Team contributors: Marianne Teoh
Reviews Cambodia’s marine protected areas and the pressures they face. The authors explain why cooperation among government agencies, communities and businesses matters for effective management, enforcement and long-term conservation.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin · Matt Glue · Marianne Teoh
Cambodian Journal of Natural History, 2020(1), 1–6
Read editorial : Marine protected areas in Cambodia: a call for collaborative action (opens in a new tab)This conservation news article introduces Cambodia’s marine turtle action plan and the partnerships intended to coordinate protection, research and management of these threatened marine species.
Team contributors: Marianne Teoh
Combines patrol records with community interviews in the Koh Rong Archipelago to examine illegal fishing and compliance. It identifies ways to target patrols and improve understanding of protected-area rules.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin · Marianne Teoh
Cambodian Journal of Natural History, 2018(1), 9–23
Read paper : Using patrol records and local perceptions to inform management and enforcement in a marine protected area in Cambodia (opens in a new tab)Experiments with juvenile damselfish explore how behavioural sidedness affects predator learning and competition for shelter, revealing trade-offs that help explain differences in fish behaviour.
Team contributors: Matt Glue
Examines how three Koh Rong Archipelago villages understand climate risks and their ability to respond. Community assessments identify locally important hazards and priorities for adaptation support.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin
Explains how community fisheries in the Koh Rong Archipelago use SMART software and GPS patrol records. The article shows how local observations can support patrol planning and marine management.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin · Marianne Teoh
A news report records the establishment of a marine fisheries management area around Koh Rong, explaining the role of government and community participation in marine protection.
Team contributors: Marianne Teoh
Cambodian Journal of Natural History
Read the article : Cambodia’s first large-scale marine protected area declared in the Koh Rong Archipelago (opens in a new tab)Uses visitor questionnaires and interviews to explore scuba divers’ experiences and satisfaction in Sihanoukville. The research examines tourism service quality and considerations for developing Cambodia’s coastal diving sector.
Team contributors: Kunthea Phirum
Auckland University of Technology
Read thesis : Experiences and Satisfaction of Scuba Dive Tourists in Cambodia: A Case Study of Sihanoukville (opens in a new tab)Outlines how climate adaptation can be integrated into local development planning in Cambodia. The presentation covers government responsibilities, funding arrangements, vulnerability assessments and examples of community infrastructure projects.
Team contributors: Kong Chanthan
NCDD Secretariat · Climate Change Knowledge Sharing Event
View presentation : Sub-national Climate Change Adaptation Mainstreaming (opens in a new tab)This chapter reviews mangrove change in northwest Madagascar and discusses community partnerships to reduce forest loss, maintain livelihoods and support sustainable use of coastal resources.
Team contributors: Marianne Teoh
Springer — Estuaries: A Lifeline of Ecosystem Services in the Western Indian Ocean
View the chapter : The Mangroves of Ambanja and Ambaro Bays, Northwest Madagascar: Historical Dynamics, Current Status and Deforestation Mitigation Strategy (opens in a new tab)Examines how reefs, mangroves and seagrass support fishing, tourism and coastal livelihoods in the Koh Rong Archipelago. The poster considers pressures on these habitats and the financial and technical support needed for community management.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin
Fauna & Flora International · Student Conference on Conservation Science, Cambridge
View poster : Understanding the values of coastal ecosystems in Koh Rong Archipelago – Cambodia’s first Marine Protected Area (opens in a new tab)Revisits three community fisheries in the Koh Rong Archipelago, comparing committee members’ and patrol teams’ knowledge, attitudes and practices with the 2014 assessment. It examines progress, challenges and expectations for local fisheries conservation and management.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin
Reports surveys of tourists and operators about proposed visitor fees, donations and management arrangements. The findings explore options for financing marine conservation in the Koh Rong Archipelago.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin
Mapping and field measurements examine mangrove change, ecological variation and carbon storage in Mahajamba Bay, providing a baseline for conservation planning and future monitoring.
Team contributors: Marianne Teoh
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Read the paper : The Dynamics, Ecological Variability and Estimated Carbon Stocks of Mangroves in Mahajamba Bay, Madagascar (opens in a new tab)Establishes a baseline of committee members’ and patrol teams’ knowledge, attitudes and activities in three community fisheries. It provides context for strengthening local participation in fisheries management.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin
Explores how island developers and dive operators participated in planning Cambodia’s first large marine protected area. It discusses consultation, competing interests and the role of businesses in conservation decisions.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin
Third International Marine Conservation Congress
View poster : Engaging Island Developers and Dive Operators in Marine Protected Area Design: Lessons from Cambodia (opens in a new tab)Reviews policy and funding options for community fisheries in the Koh Rong Archipelago, including voluntary donations and tourism fees. It considers how transparent management and benefit sharing could support local participation in marine conservation.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin
Fauna & Flora International Cambodia Programme
View report : Financing Community Fisheries in the Koh Rong Archipelago: Benefit Sharing and Policy Framework (opens in a new tab)Examines coordinated management of water, land and related resources, drawing on international experience. The chapter considers Cambodia’s institutional challenges and opportunities, with particular attention to the Mekong River basin.
Team contributors: Chea Phallin · Chan Lakhena
Water Resources and Development in Southeast Asia · Pearson
Read chapter : Integrated Water Resources Management – Opportunities and Challenges for Cambodia (opens in a new tab)Try a broader search or clear the filters to explore the full collection.
Selected work by MRPO’s team, board and advisers, including work with other organisations. Links open the original publication or author record, where full authorship and publisher credits are available.