Cambodia Records Rare Coral Spawning Event in Koh Rong, Koh Sdach
Cambodia Records Rare Coral Spawning Event in Koh Rong, Koh Sdach
PHNOM PENH, March 17, 2026 — Cambodia has recorded a coral spawning event for the third time in the Koh Rong archipelago and for the first time in the Koh Sdach archipelago, in what scientists say is an encouraging sign of reef resilience and marine ecosystem recovery.
The discovery was jointly announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment, and conservation partners including Fauna & Flora Cambodia Programme, the Marine Resource Protection Organization, and the Song Saa Foundation.
The coral spawning event was observed during surveys conducted from March 7 to 9, involving night dives and reef monitoring to document spawning activity, assess coral health, and evaluate environmental conditions.
Researchers said the findings provide valuable scientific data to better understand coral reproduction cycles, reef recovery, and environmental pressures affecting marine ecosystems.
Jun Cheng, Senior Marine Programme Manager at Fauna & Flora Cambodia, said the third consecutive year of coral spawning indicates that Cambodia’s reefs continue to show “remarkable resilience.”
Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth said the observation highlights the effectiveness of ongoing conservation efforts in Cambodia’s marine protected areas, stressing the importance of continued cooperation among government agencies, NGOs and local communities.
Agriculture Minister Dith Tina also said the results demonstrate improving marine ecosystem health and reflect progress in fisheries protection measures, while calling for sustained efforts to preserve long-term gains.
Coral reefs play a critical role in supporting marine biodiversity, fisheries resources and coastal livelihoods, and are increasingly threatened globally by climate change, pollution and overfishing.
Authorities said monitoring and research will continue to strengthen conservation strategies and ensure the long-term sustainability of Cambodia’s coastal ecosystems.
