Volunteering in Marine Conservation in Cambodia

At Marine Conservation Cambodia, our work depends on the dedication of volunteers and scientific interns. From supporting daily island operations to contributing to vital data collection and research, your involvement directly protects Cambodia’s fragile marine ecosystems. Scientific interns also have the chance to design and lead their own research projects, adding valuable knowledge to strengthen long-term marine protection.

We are looking for motivated people who are:

• Adaptable and open to new experiences
• Able to work independently (especially important for scientific interns leading their own research)
• Team players who thrive in collaborative environments
• Driven by a passion for conservation and a desire to make a tangible difference

What you will gain:

Volunteering or interning with MCC is not “voluntourism”, it is meaningful, hands-on conservation work.

You will:

• Participate in projects such as seagrass surveys, marine mammal monitoring, and habitat restoratio
• Learn practical fieldwork and research skills, from diving and data collection to analysis and grant-writing
• Build resilience, teamwork, and leadership while living in the unique Kep Archipelago
• Strengthen your CV with real-world conservation experience while creating memories that last a lifetime
• Live and work on a remote Cambodian island, experiencing Khmer culture and traditions firsthand together with our Cambodian staff members

What is MCC?

Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) is a community-based NGO dedicated to protecting Cambodia’s marine ecosystems. Since 2008, we have combined research, conservation, and community partnerships to safeguard the ocean and support sustainable livelihoods for coastal families.

We were the first organization to actively work on marine conservation in Cambodia. Originally based on Koh Rong Samloem, our team conducted research and supported local communities in enforcing fisheries laws to protect marine life and habitats. After successfully helping to establish one of the country’s first Marine Fisheries Management Areas (MFMAs) and being joined by other organizations, the Cambodian government invited MCC to relocate to the eastern coast, where no marine protection efforts existed at the time.

Located in the southern portion of Kep Province, Koh Ach Seh is the most remote island in the Kep Archipelago, lying closest to the Vietnamese border. The island is largely uninhabited, home only to a small marine police station and MCC’s base of operations a quiet tropical haven surrounded by rich marine biodiversity.

Since our arrival on Koh Ach Seh in 2014, MCC has documented severe damage from illegal fishing. Through five years of research, community collaboration, and policy advocacy, our work led to the approval of the Kep MFMA in 2018, protecting vital habitats such as seagrass meadows, coral reefs, mangroves, and shell beds. Since then, fish stocks have rebounded, habitats have regenerated, and threatened species including the dugong have returned.

Today, MCC manages and protects Koh Ach Seh’s home reef, 13 other island reefs, and approximately 3,000 hectares of seagrass beds across Kep Province. Our ongoing work includes regular patrols, the deployment of Fishery Productivity Structures (FPS) to block destructive trawling, and close collaboration with fisheries authorities, local communities, and policymakers to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Through programs such as seagrass and seahorse monitoring, marine mammal surveys, citizen science, and environmental education, MCC links science, community action, and policy to create lasting change.

Our mission is to protect and restore Cambodia’s marine ecosystems while ensuring that the people who depend on them can continue to thrive. By combining science, conservation, and collaboration, MCC is building a healthier, more sustainable future for Cambodia’s ocean and the communities that call it home.

MCC projects

Due to our constantly evolving environment and context, MCC’s projects change regularly. For all these projects we can provide full training and support to get you up to a level where your collected data can and will be used within MCC’s reports and publications.

The Cambodian Marine Mammal Project:

Our Marine Mammal project is a research-led and community-based project working towards safeguarding Cambodia’s endangered Marine Mammals with a current focus on the Irrawaddy dolphins and Dugongs of Kep Archipelago. It is currently the only long-term study of Cambodia’s marine population of the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. In 2022, we expanded this work to the neighboring province of Kampot and now include the Indo Pacific Humpback Dolphins as part of our research program. This program is headed by Cambodian researchers under the supervision of a Marine Mammal Scientist.

Seagrass Monitoring Project:

Cambodian Seagrass Conservation Project is working to protect and expand seagrass meadows in Cambodia’s coastal waters, while also helping the local communities that rely on seagrass-related resources. This project aims to map the extent, species composition and abundance of seagrasses across Kep and Kampot provinces. Starting at Koh Seh, the seagrass project works to better understand seagrass ecology over different temporal and spatial scales, including assessments of species growth rates, reproductive cycles and response to damage. Working with the seagrass squad you would contribute toward directing protected area zone management, identify biodiversity hotspots and threat-spots, and inform strategies for meadow expansion.

The Cambodian Seahorse Project:

The Cambodian Seahorse Project conducts surveys around Koh Ach Seh to study seahorses and their habitats. The project aims to document species composition, population abundance, distribution, and habitat use, identify and protect critical areas such as seagrass meadows and provide scientific data to support conservation efforts while raising awareness of the threats these species face.

Outreach Project:

Working with local schools and universities, we provide advocacy and education on marine research and conservation, our local university internships, have produced some of Cambodia’s leading marine conservationists and researchers.

Marine Litter and Plastics Project:

Ocean plastics and rubbish is an increasing problem. Our team organizes local cleanups and attempts to address ocean pollution on a local scale.

Alternative Livelihoods:

Marine Conservation Cambodia is actively working on providing alternative livelihood solutions for local communities. Due to the decline in the overall fisheries resources, it is essential that alternatives to illegal and destructive fishing are found. By looking at socio-demographic and our marine data, we can begin to identify possible solutions for livelihood improvement and alternative livelihoods.

What does volunteering with MCC mean?

Being part of Marine Conservation Cambodia (MCC) means joining a passionate, fast-paced, and hands-on team working together for marine conservation. Life on Koh Ach Seh is unique, an immersive experience where daily living and conservation work go hand in hand. You’ll be part of a close-knit community where everyone contributes, whether it’s helping with island upkeep, assisting in the field, or supporting research activities. These shared efforts build strong bonds, personal growth, and a deep sense of purpose.

Volunteers play an active role in all aspects of our projects, and the experience is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. The tropical climate, remote setting, and physically demanding tasks add to the adventure, and make the moments of achievement, discovery, and connection even more meaningful. Living so close to the ocean offers experiences you’ll never forget, surrounded by the natural beauty of Cambodia’s coastline.

While life on the island isn’t a relaxing getaway, it is a rare opportunity to learn about marine conservation, ocean ecosystems, and Cambodian coastal culture in a truly hands-on way. You’ll gain resilience, teamwork, and field experience, while making a tangible contribution to protecting Cambodia’s marine environment. Along the way, you’ll develop practical conservation skills such as research diving, data collection and analysis, and field survey techniques which are all essential tools for a future in marine science and conservation.

Bungalows:

While living on Koh Ach Seh, you will stay in gender-divided bungalows shared between two to six people. Staff and volunteers have separate accommodations but live close together as neighbors. Each room includes three bunk beds with mosquito nets, power and lighting at night, and an en suite bathroom with a bucket shower and toilet. Life on the island is simple and close to nature, but you will quickly get used to the rhythm of the ocean and the unique experience of living surround by nature.

Internet:

We have no Wifi on the island and use personal mobile data if we want to access the internet. If you need or want internet access while you are here, the best Cambodia networks with data signals on the island are either ‘C-Tel’, ‘Smart’ or ‘Metfone’ with varying reliability in different places. If you are coming from Vietnam, we would strongly advise you to buy a Vietnamese Sim card, namely ‘Viettel’ since the Vietnamese data signals are way stronger. Don’t expect to be able to stream Netflix, the signal is mostly too unstable for that. Buy a 4G sim card on the mainland ($1 to 4, available at every market or tech shop), buy some top up cards and type in the code shown. You then need a code to convert the money into data, kindly ask the employees at the shop to help you do this, choose whichever plan suits you. Many of our staff/volunteers are on the $5 plan which lasts for a month and is 50GB or $1 which lasts for 1 week.