Assessing the Effectiveness of Fishery Refugia for Blood Cockle (Tegillarca granosa) in Sihanouk Province, Cambodia

Abstract

Blood cockle (Tegillarca granosa) is a crucial bivalve species contributing to the economy of Cambodia. The blood cockle refugia site was established in Prey Nop 2, Sihanouk, Cambodia in 2006 to ensure the future stock of the resources. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the blood cockle refugia site considering fishery and population dynamics perspectives. The respondents of this study were all females (n = 25) who collect blood cockle as a supplementary source of income. The collection method inside the refugia site is restricted only to hand collection. For the population dynamics, the blood cockle samples inside the refugia site exhibited a positive allometric growth pattern and a higher Pauly’s condition factor (K) than those from other sampling sites. A greater percentage of the blood cockle larger than the size at first maturity inside the refugia site was strong evidence of the effectiveness of the refugia site and can be used as a scientific reference for the development of more effective management measures.