Song Saa Private Island

NOTES:

http://blog.scottdunn.com/post/20347791320/notes-to-my-sweetheart-song-saa

In the warm sapphire waters of the Gulf of Thailand, 61 islands nestle like natural jewels. Most remain completely undeveloped and many are deserted, offering stunning scenery and secluded white sand beaches.

Song Saa Private Island, when complete in late 2011, will be located on Koh Ouen and Koh Bong – two small adjacent islands in the Koh Rong Archipelago that are a 30-minute boat ride from Sihanoukville.

This will be at the top end of the market for luxury resorts in Cambodia. It will set a high environmental precedent – challenging future developments to meet our high conservation standards – while not compromising on quality.

With the recent opening of the international airport at Sihanoukville, tourism in this tropical paradise is a growing trend. Song Saa is a tremendous opportunity for tourists to discover a piece of this unspoiled paradise while contributing meaningfully to its protection.

‘Why’ Statistics:

• Anthropogenic impacts in the sea such as the excessing fishing efforts and habitat destruction are major threats to Cambodia’s marine ecosystem.
• Poor management coastal marine sources in Cambodia are now under threat of unsustainable development, pollution, and fisheries.
• The Song Saa Marine reserve covers one million square meters and extending 200 meters from the edge of the reefs that fringe on both the islands.
• This no-take zone is being managed to international standards for marine protected areas, and scoping studies are underway to significantly expand the reach of the reserve.
• In conjunction with Cambodian authorities, Song Saa’s marine biologist is engaged in a series of marine audits, including gathering baseline data on the health of the reef, fish stocks and other marine species.
• Well-implemented no-take areas can allow fish to grow older and larger (thus producing more eggs and juveniles) and cause fish density to increase.—this results in replenishment of adjacent fished areas through the export of larvae and movement of adults across the “Song Saa” Marine Reserve boundary.
• Various social programs are also well underway.  Song Saa’s marine biologist is engaged in an education program to teach local fisherman sustainable fishing methods that will ensure fish stocks remain healthy and assets such as seagrass meadows – vital to dugong, green turtles and seahorses – are not disturbed.
• Song Saa currently has a team of 4 people working with government and non-government organizations, conservation authorities, and community leaders to make sure Song Saa Private Island never loses the things that make it special
• The project is seen by a variety of wildlife conservations and sustainable development organizations as a best practice pilot project for ecotourism developments that are proposed for this and the surrounding islands in the region.
• In the nearby village of Prek Svay, the community engagement officer is introducing a waste management system, including a regular collection service, to ensure debris does not contaminate the marine or terrestrial environments. He is also working on pilot aquaculture and organic farming projects to safeguard local livelihoods in a sustainable way

Source: http://songsaa.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/Case%20study%20-%20Song%20Saa%20Marine%20Reserve.pdf