In Life Fish and Mangroves Melissa Marschke explores the potential of resource governance offering a case study of resource-dependent village life. Following six households and one village-based institution in coastal Cambodia over a twelve-year period Marschke reveals the opportunities and constraints facing villagers and illustrates why local resource management practices remain delicate even with a sustained effort. She highlights how government and business interests in community-based management and resource exploitation combine to produce a complex highly uncertain dynamic. With this instructive study she demonstrates that in spite of a significant effort spanning many years and engaging many players resource governance remains fragile and coastal livelihoods in Cambodia remain precarious. Published in English.