Current view: Text account
Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA comprises the Koh Tang archipelago, a small group of islands situated in the Gulf of Thailand, c. 50 km south-west of Sihanoukville. The islands are situated in shallow water (up to c.50 m deep), and are characterised by small, sandy beaches, rocky shores and coral reefs. The islands all support degraded evergreen forest. The IBA supports Nicobar Pigeon
Caloenas nicobarica, a species largely restricted to offshore, forested islands. In addition, Christmas Island Frigatebird
Fregata andrewsi has been recorded at the IBA and potentially roosts on the satellite islands.
Non-bird biodiversity: Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) (Phay Somany, Department of Fisheries, pers. comm.).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Although the IBA is uninhabited, apart from a small military base, the major threats to biodiversity are disturbance from human activities, especially fishing, and, potentially, hunting and egg and chick collection by resident military personnel and visiting fishermen. Another potential threat is introduction of alien predators, such as cats and dogs, to the islands, which could threaten the largely terrestrial Nicobar Pigeon.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Recommendations- Discussions should be initiated with the relevant military authorities to control any illegal hunting and egg collecting activities on the islands.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Koh Tang Archipelago (Cambodia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/koh-tang-archipelago-iba-cambodia on 23/12/2024.
