freelance photographer and writer based in phnom penh, cambodia
Life on the island, Marine Conservation Cambodia
Life on the island of Koh Seh, where the NGO Marine Conservation Cambodia develops various projects related with the local populations of dolphins, sea grass and others species. (Note: some of the photos taken for a story with UNICEF for Earth’s Day 2022, and others for HBS 30/30/30 project 2023.)
Rachana and her team from MCC rescuing a turtle from a fishing boat. In this case, it weights around 15kg and, after being tagged and looked after, got released back into the sea in the marine protected area near Koh Ach Seh.Rachana and her team from MCC rescuing a turtle from a fishing boat. In this case, it weights around 15kg and, after being tagged and looked after, got released back into the sea in the marine protected area near Koh Ach Seh.Rachana and her team from MCC rescuing a turtle from a fishing boat. In this case, it weights around 15kg and, after being tagged and looked after, got released back into the sea in the marine protected area near Koh Ach Seh.Rachana showing the wounds of a rescued turtle, while on the boat journey back to Koh Ach Seh to release her into the ocean.A rescued turtle already tagged by MCC to keep track of the animals getting stuck in fishing nets.A rescued turtle being measured before being released back in the ocean. MCC often communicates with local fishermen who understand the need to preserve the species, agreeing to release her back instead of ending up selling in the Kep market.A rescued turtle being measured before being released back in the ocean. MCC often communicates with local fishermen who understand the need to preserve the species, agreeing to release her back instead of ending up selling in the Kep market.Samnang Ry releasing a turtle back into the ocean on the marine protected area surrounding Koh Ach Seh.Rachana and Era in the middle of a dolphin survey in one of the land observatories in Koh Ach Seh island. Whenever the weather conditions don’t allow the team to go by boat, the team gathers in a shack on top of the mountain to observe and register any moVarious types of fishing nets confiscated from fishermen, all involved in illegal fishing practices that damage the ocean ecosystem.Confiscated tube used by fishermen to breathe while illegally catching marine wildlife in the ocean floor.One of the main innovations by MCC, the anti-trawling block structures, being made by the team and consisting on only cement, bamboo sticks and ropes.Jaime Gill from the UNICEF team joining the building of anti-trawling block structures.Samnang Ry, 27, a long-term collaborator of MCC since he met the founder Paul in his home village in Koh Rong Samloem. He used to be a fisherman but the decline of fish caught made me embrace the environmental cause and the need to preserve the ocean.Samnang Ry, 27, a long-term collaborator of MCC since he met the founder Paul in his home village in Koh Rong Samloem. He used to be a fisherman but the decline of fish caught made me embrace the environmental cause and the need to preserve the ocean.Samnang Ry, 27, helping to measure a turtle rescued from local fishermen nets. Having previously work as a fisherman himself, he noticed first hand the decline of fish populations and general health of the local ecosystem.A rescue mission of a large turtle of around 70kgs, trapped in a local fishing boat nets and showcasing severe wounds in its shell.Rachana teaching Era the building process of the anti-trawling structures, an innovation by MCC that, due to its simplicity, affordability and efficacy, has high potential for scalability throughout the coastal areas to further protection against unsustaiEra, a young Cham woman from Siem Reap province, visits Koh Ach Seh island to learn more about the marine conservation work of the non-profit organization MCC. She got interested in environmental activism while creating a project to reduce the quantity ofNget Veasna, part of the core team at MCC.Tanguy Freneat, 27, a French environmentalist working with MCC for more than three years. From accounting to managing the conservation and anti-trawling structures project, he is also involved in mapping the marine ecosystem of Kep and Kampot using dronesBilly Brebner, 54, a British volunteer and current diving instructor.The video team employed by UNICEF during their shooting in Koh Ach Seh.Nget Veasna, part of the core team at MCC.Nget Veasna from MCC collecting a turtle from a fishing boat. In this case, it weights around 15kg and, after being tagged and looked after, got released back into the sea in the marine protected area near Koh Ach Seh.A turtle being rescued from a fishing boat. In this case, it weights around 15kg and, after being tagged and looked after, got released back into the sea in the marine protected area near Koh Ach Seh.Rachana Thap, 27, a young and passionate advocate for the ocean, she initially came to Koh Ach Seh island to meet MCC’s founder without being able to previously contact him. A shot in the dark when she was a student of Pannasastra University in Phnom Penh
Samnang Ry, 27, holding fishing nets confiscated from illegal fishermen during a demonstration on the efficacy of MCC’s anti-trawling structures in trapping the nets and reducing unsustainable fishing practices in the area surrounding the Koh Seh island.
Samnang Ry, 27, holding a sea shell. Beloved by the whole team and always with a playful attitude, he often finds improvise hats out of trash collected during beach clean-ups.
The team member Kong Vichet at work mixing cement for building anti-trawling block structures.
Small mold the team members use for creating cement pieces. Seahorses are the main symbol of Marine Conservation Cambodia, including being the main feature of the NGO’s logo.
Demonstration by the NGO team on how the anti-trawling block structures are efficient in getting illegal fishing nets stuck, as an affordable approach to stop big boats to continue destroying the ocean floor.
Sunrise on Koh Ach Seh main pier.
Jaime Gill from the UNICEF team walking in the Koh Ach Seh pier during sunrise.
MCC team reviewing a video taken underwater during the release of a rescued turtle.
Pu Phon, captain of the new speedboat that MCC is using — the Red Snapper.
Fishermen in the surrounding area of Koh Ach Seh.
Scenes from the Red Snapper, the new speedboat just acquired by MCC.
Scenes from the Red Snapper, the new speedboat just acquired by MCC.
Scenes from the Red Snapper, the new speedboat just acquired by MCC.
Samnang Ry, the boat captain, during a journey from Koh Ach Seh.
Simon, one of the team members responsible for the mapping of the area, explaining to the UNICEF team the use of drones to monitor the placement of anti-trawling block structures and their impact on seagrass re-growth, among other metrics.
Team and volunteers engaging in a beach cleanup at Koh Ach Seh. Being an island in the confluence of various sea currents, one of the main frustrations for MCC is the quantity of trash that ends up in its shores.
Team and volunteers carrying the trash collected at a beach cleanup in Koh Ach Seh. Considering the lack of options to deal with solid waste washed-up in the island’s beaches, everything needs to be incinerated to fight the increasing plastic and other ma
Team and volunteers engaging in a beach cleanup at Koh Ach Seh. Being an island in the confluence of various sea currents, one of the main frustrations for MCC is the quantity of trash that ends up in its shores.
Rose Ellis, 29, the current manager of the dolphin survey project at MCC. It is Cambodia’s only long-term study of the marine Irrawaddy dolphin population, being research-focused and community-based, working with national and local government to safeguard
Detail of a tshirt of one Koh Ach Seh visitor.
David Ideler, working on seagrass mapping on a hammock at the main beach of Koh Ach Seh.
Nop Nathan, part of the core team at MCC.
Simon Rétif, part of the team managing the seagrass mapping project.
Details from an aquarium in MCC’s main building, including small models of Angkor Wat and the NGO’s anti-trawling block structures, plus some species such as a starfish.
Details from an aquarium in MCC’s main building, including small models of Angkor Wat and the NGO’s anti-trawling block structures, plus some species such as a starfish.
Lor Samphors, a seaweed specialist from the Royal University of Agriculture, going through a book of fish species.
Nop Nathan, part of the core team at MCC.
Nop Nathan, part of the core team at MCC.
Trees in one of the beaches at Koh Ach Seh, where the leftovers of years of plastic pollution in the ocean can be seen.
Fishermen in the surrounding area of Koh Ach Seh.
High school students from the Liger Academy, a partner organization of MCC, building a prototype of a device to grow mussels in a sustainable way.
High school students from the Liger Academy, a partner organization of MCC, building a prototype of a device to grow mussels in a sustainable way.
High school students from the Liger Academy, a partner organization of MCC, building a prototype of a device to grow mussels in a sustainable way.
High school students from the Liger Academy, a partner organization of MCC, during a beach cleanup.
Rachana and Alissa playing with two of the MCC’s dogs.
One of the dogs from MCC, sleeping nearby a white board the team uses for brainstorming and planning.
Details from an aquarium in MCC’s main building, including small models of Angkor Wat and the NGO’s anti-trawling block structures, plus some species such as a starfish.
Details from an aquarium in MCC’s main building, including small models of Angkor Wat and the NGO’s anti-trawling block structures, plus some species such as a starfish.
High school students from the Liger Academy, a partner organization of MCC which has been involved in marine conservation projects during the last years.
High school students from the Liger Academy, a partner organization of MCC which has been involved in marine conservation projects during the last years.
Fishermen in the surrounding area of Koh Ach Seh.
Era helping out MCC’s team producing the anti-trawling structures. These cement blocks, created using simple and affordable materials and methods, are dropped in the ocean floor in areas where trawling activities are spotted, not only acting as devices wh
Being passionate about fighting against plastic waste due to her own project of recycling single-use plastics into bags and other accessories, Era joined a beach clean-up in Koh Ach Seh with the NGO’s team to better understand the scale of the problem of
Era, a young Cham woman from Siem Reap province, visits Koh Ach Seh island to learn more about the marine conservation work of the non-profit organization MCC. She got interested in environmental activism while creating a project to reduce the quantity of plastic waste ending up in the landfill.
Era, a young Cham woman from Siem Reap province, visits Koh Ach Seh island to learn more about the marine conservation work of the non-profit organization MCC. She got interested in environmental activism while creating a project to reduce the quantity of plastic waste ending up in the landfill.
Rachana Thap, 27, the executive director of Marine Conservation Cambodia and an unique and inspiring story of resilience in a difficult context of illegal fishing practices, corruption and apathy from the general public. She initially came to the NGO whil
Rachana Thap, 27, a young and passionate advocate for the ocean, she initially came to Koh Ach Seh island to meet MCC’s founder without being able to previously contact him. A shot in the dark when she was a student of Pannasastra University in Phnom Penh, led her to run the project after some years of dedication and full endorsement by the founder.
Rachana Thap, 27, during a trip in the newest acquisition by MCC, the Red Snapper speed boat. A long dream by the NGO staff, the boat is helping in patrolling missions and to go meet fishermen, for instance, in rescuing missions when wildlife gets trapped
Rachana Thap, 27, the executive director of Marine Conservation Cambodia and an unique and inspiring story of resilience in a difficult context of illegal fishing practices, corruption and apathy from the general public. She initially came to the NGO whil
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