This photo taken in March 2026 shows coral spawning in Cambodian waters. A conservationist group has spotted coral spawning events for the first time on Song Saa Island in Preah Sihanouk province and in Koh Sdach Archipelago in Koh Kong province in southwest Cambodia, said a joint press release on Monday. (Anna Sabrina Petry/Fauna & Flora/Handout via Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, March 16 (Xinhua) -- A conservationist group has spotted coral spawning events for the first time on Song Saa Island in Preah Sihanouk province and in Koh Sdach Archipelago in Koh Kong province in southwest Cambodia, said a joint press release on Monday.

The survey and study of these coral spawning events were conducted from March 7 to 9, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ministry of Environment, Fauna & Flora, Marine Resource Protection Organization, and Song Saa Foundation, among others.

During the research, the team conducted night dives and detailed reef monitoring to record spawning activities, assess coral health, and document environmental conditions, the press release said.

"These observations provide vital scientific data that help researchers understand coral reproduction cycles, track reef recovery, and identify factors that contribute to effective coral reef management," the press release said.

"The information gathered also supports evidence-based strategies for long-term coral reef conservation, benefiting both biodiversity and coastal communities that rely on healthy reefs for food and livelihoods," it said.

Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth said the successful observation of coral spawning highlighted the effectiveness of ongoing conservation and management efforts in Cambodia's marine protected areas.

"Continued collaboration between government institutions, conservation organizations, and local communities is essential to conserve biodiversity and to sustain these ecosystem services for all generations," he said.

According to the press release, the conservationist group also discovered a coral spawning event for the third time in Koh Rong Archipelago in Preah Sihanouk province.

"The results of these three consecutive years bear witness to the recovering health of our seas and stand as undeniable proof of our success in implementing fishery protection measures," Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina said.

Healthy coral reefs are extremely important for ensuring the sustainability of marine fisheries resources and supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities.

Jun Cheng, senior marine program manager of Fauna & Flora-Cambodia Program, said witnessing coral spawning for the third consecutive year is an encouraging sign that Cambodia's coral reefs still hold remarkable resilience.

"These findings reinforce the importance of continued scientific monitoring and strong collaboration amongst the government, NGOs, and local partners to ensure the long-term protection of these critical marine ecosystems," she said.