Pathways of change in a coastal resource system: Study from Kampong Trach district, Kampot province

Over the past several years, Cambodia’s coastal resources system has undergoneconsiderable transformation. The causes have included uncontrolled fishing activities,tourism development, salt and shrimp farming, sand mining, and trade, to name justthe most significant. Against this background, this study analyzes pathways of changeover the past 15 years in coastal resource systems in two neighboring communitiesin the Kampong Trach district of Kampot province. The analysis proceeds on twodifferent levels. We first look at change in respect of the cross-scale multiple driversin the resource system at village level and its effects on the social and ecologicalcomponents of the marine, intertidal and agricultural areas of the coastal zone. Then,at household level, we examine the diversity of adaptation measures adopted todeal with these changes, and evaluate their impacts on livelihoods.We argue that the degradation of fisheries resources in marine and intertidal zonesresults from drivers that originate outside and inside the communities, but mostly stemsfrom problems of governance. Despite tangible improvements in rain-fed rice yield,the development of the farming sector is constrained by limited capacity to diversifyand intensify production. The adaptation paths to this resources degradation squeezeare multiple.The few households who can afford to enhance or intensify their farming and fishingefforts usually manage to improve their food security status. But in a majority ofcases, the adaptation works through a move away from the land and the sea, eitherthrough self-employed non-farm and non-fishing activities (local business associatedwith cross-border trade with Vietnam) or through wage labor. Self-employedactivities and demand more capital but represent the main path of improvement inthese communities. Wage labor - particularly associated with migration - has becomewidespread but its potential to improve food security is very limited. Accessing creditand going into debt is another significant way in which people have attempted toadapt either to address chronic food insecurity or to maintain the same level ofproductivity.The increase of mobility is a central element in adaptation strategy adopted bymany who have been affected. This includes: mobility of labor (non-farm, wage andmigration); the mobility of capital (e.g. conversion from marine zone fishing to trade);and mobility of landownership (occurring through market-based land concentration).However, we suggest that these processes of adaptation have actually reinforced thewealth disparity that exists between households. It has particularly exacerbated thevulnerability of those who are most dependent on small-scale fisheries.