Dear Friends,

This is the 221st Edition of the Mangrove Action Project News, October 2, 2009.

For the Mangroves,

Alfredo Quarto
Mangrove Action Project

Sign up to receive the MAP News by sending an e-mail to: mapnews@mangroveactionproject.org.

MAP's Mission

Partnering with mangrove forest communities, grassroots NGOs, researchers and local governments to conserve and restore mangrove forests and related coastal ecosystems, while promoting community-based, sustainable management of coastal resources.

All news items and notices published in the MAP News can also be accessed directly from our home page www.mangroveactionproject.org, with links to the full story and the original source. New items are posted daily and are available as an RSS feed!

Visit the MAP News Archive

DONATE TO MAP

MAP depends on your support in order to produce this e-bulletin and all that we do. Please visit our website and consider donating to MAP today. It is easy to give a one-time donation, or to set up monthly recurring donations via PayPal or Network for Good!

MAP ACTIVITIES:

Blue Festival at the Seattle Waterfront

MAP supports Friends of the Mangroves Malaysia

Heads Above Water program on BBC World discusses mangrove loss and Global Warming

Join or Support the Mumbai Mangroves Group

SHRIMP LESS, THINK MORE:
Learn more about the affects of the shrimp industry on mangroves by visiting our blog.
Sign the Consumer's Pledge to avoid imported shrimp

FEATURED NEWS:

AFRICA

China, Brasil collaborate on Cape Verde Aquaculture

CAPE VERDE - A group of Chinese technicians will collaborate with the National Fisheries Development Institute (INDP) to start work intended to facilitate the drafting of a Strategic Pisciculture Development Plan (PNDP) for Cape Verde. Their objective is that this Plan spurs the development of marine and hatchery farming of various species, and shrimp and lobster in particular.  Read More

Source:  FIS Worldnews  9/24/2009

 
Namibia Weighs Aquaculture Cooperation with Pescanova

NAMIBIA - Namibia Fisheries Minister Abraham Iyambo expressed interest in cooperating with the Galician multinational Pescanova in projects related to aquaculture. The official is currently visiting Spain, while participating in the World Fishing Exhibition and in parallel activities, such as the Fifth Fisheries Ministers Conference. Iyambo toured Pescanova facilities in Vigo, together with the president of the company, Manuel Fernandez de Sousa, EFE reports.  Read More

Source:  FIS Worldnews  9/18/2009
 
SE ASIA
Confidential Report Indonesia: Alarming Emissions from Peatland loss

INDONESIA - The Indonesian government has come forward with figures that confirm that the country is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gasses; for 80% due to deforestation and peatland loss. Wetlands International, the NGO that has been advocating the need to address peatland degradation strongly welcomes the acknowledgement by the Indonesian government of the issue.  Read More

Source:  Wetlands International  9/21/2009

Aquaculture Industry Can Reach RM20 Billion Revenue

MALAYSIA - The aquaculture industry will be able to reach up to RM20 billion revenue if the National Aquaculture Development Plan can move forward in the near term, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Tuesday.  Read More

Source:  Bernama  9/29/2009

 
Organic Certification Scheme To Boost Local Aquaculture Industry

MALAYSIA - The Fisheries Department is developing an organic certification scheme under the Malaysian Aquaculture Farm Certification Scheme to help boost the local aquaculture industry. Its Director-General, Datuk Junaidi Che Ayub, said today the move was in line with the government's aim to be among the main contributors of organic fish and shrimp in the Asean.  Read More

Source:  Bernama  9/29/2009

Agriculturists Advocate Mangrove Planting in Pangasinan

PHLIPPINES - Agriculturists in Pangasinan have encouraged planting of mangroves as these provide both aesthetic and ecological benefits.  Supervising aquaculturist Zeny Ugaban of the office of the provincial agriculturist said mangroves not only beautify surroundings but also prevent siltation.   Read More

Source:  Philippine Information Agency  9/24/2009

 
Tra Fish Crisis Watch

VIETNAM - According to a survey on profit sharing from seafood exports conducted by the Mekong River Delta Development Research Institute under Can Tho University, seafood processing companies earn 78.5 percent of total profit, farmers 19.4 percent and petty merchants 2.1 percent on exports of seafood. As such, the problem is that while farmers have to bear higher risks and more expenses, their profit level is much lower than that of seafood processors.  Read More

Source:  VietnamNet Bridge  9/18/2009

 
Vietnam Finds Itself Vulnerable if Sea Rises

VIETNAM - For centuries, as monsoon rains, typhoons and wars have swept over them and disappeared into the sunshine, the farmers and fishermen of the Mekong Delta have drawn life from the water and fertile fields where the great river ends its 2,700-mile journey to the sea.  Read More

Source:  New York Times  9/23/2009

Renewing Mangrove Forests for More Secure Livelihoods

VIETNAM - Typhoon Linda, which hit Vietnam’s southern provinces in November 1997, starkly highlighted the extent of degradation of the coastal Mekong Delta. During the 1990s, the area’s mangrove forest, an important breeding ground for aquatic organisms and a barrier against typhoons, was being destroyed at an alarming rate for timber and charcoal production. Meanwhile unplanned development of shrimp farming took hold, contributing to further loss of mangroves.  Read More

Source:  World Bank

 
SOUTH ASIA
'Possibilities of Organic Shrimp Farming Huge'

BANGLADESH - Small farmers can make large profits by farming organic shrimps, an expert said a workshop on Thursday. George Chamberlain, chairman of Global Aquaculture Alliance, said Bangladesh has huge scopes of farming shrimps in organic process because of its favourable environmental state.  Read More

Source:  BDNews24  10/1/2009

Villagers Plant Trees to Save Sunderbans

INDIA - Cyclone Aila, which devastated several islands in the Sunderbans and rendered thousands homeless, has taught an invaluable lesson to villagers. Disillusioned with inadequate government aid, villagers have learnt they have to be self-reliant and equip themselves better to face such calamities. Wisened, they are now preparing a bio-shield against storms: mangrove trees that will break the force of waves and protect embankments.  Read More

Source:  Times of India  9/19/2009

Odisha Demands Two Central Research Institutes

INDIA -  Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged the Central government to establish two more research institutes in the state. The Chief Minister took up the demand when he met Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh in New Delhi on Thursday.  Patnaik suggested for establishment of a national research institute for management of wetlands and coastal ecosystems at Chilika as there was no dedicated research centre in this environmentally important subject.  Read More

Source:  Kalinga Times  9/25/2009

 
Mangroves Needed for Sheltering and Beautification of Delta Region

PAKISTAN - Fresh spells of rain in the mangrove-seeding season of July and August will be helpful for the growth of mangroves plants. The rainfall is not only valuable for the sea plants and the marine life it is equally beneficial for the fishermen, who have, in the past, been worried about the decline in fish catch and acute shortage of fresh water.  Read More

Source:  International News  10/2/2009

 
The Importance of Coastal Environment

SRI LANKA - Sri Lanka's coastline is about 1700 km long. Along the coast is a variety of eco-systems, which include sandy beaches, rocky shores, lagoons, estuaries, mangroves, salt marshes and sand dunes. In the shallow waters of the coastline are found sea-grass beds and coral reefs.  Read More

Source:  Funny Times  9/27/2009

Paradise Drowning: Maldives Under Threat

MALDIVES – The Maldives are one of the most beautiful collections of islands on Earth; boasting blue lagoons, lush tropical forests, white sandy beaches and colourful coral reefs. The idyllic islands are popular with tourists who come to experience a true island paradise, but this picture-perfect archipelago is likely to be the first and biggest victim of rising sea levels.  Read More

Source:  Article Base  2/2/0/2008

NORTH AMERICA

CommunicateGreen: ‘Buy Local’ Movement Catches on with Seafood

UNITED STATES – “We know the problem, let’s find the solution.”  “Buy Local” is a mantra these days…; it’s a marketing phrase to get shoppers to buy from your local merchants, growers, dairymen and fishermen. It’s a way for local business to get you away from the big stores and into their farmer’s markets or to come to the farm, dairy or fish store. It’s big in New England, very important to the Seacoast.  Read More

Source:  Seacoast Online  9/20/2009

Aquarium Hosts Sustainable Seafood Cook-Off

UNITED STATES - Michael Poompan, executive chef of Long Beach Renaissance Hotel, above, works on his braised halibut with leeks and potatoes in vegetable stock, while judge John Rabe with KPCC 89.3 looks on during the Aquarium of the Pacific sustainable seafood cooking competition Tuesday.  Read More

Source:  Contra Costa Times  9/22/2009
 
Heroes of the Environment 2009: Kin Lui, Raymond Ho and Casson Trenor

UNITED STATES - For Kin Lui, the realization came from a newspaper article. The Hong Kong-born, Hawaii-raised sushi chef was taking a rare break during a shift at a Japanese restaurant in San Francisco when he read a piece about the rapid decline of the bluefin tuna — perhaps sushi lovers' favorite item. As Lui finished the article, he was called back to the kitchen: there was a big order of maguro, the delicate belly meat of the bluefin tuna.  Read More

Source:  Time

DFO Named in Aquaculture Class Action Suit 

CANADA - The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has been drawn into what could be a precedent-setting case for aboriginal rights in British Columbia. Last Thursday the federal government was named as a co-defendant in a class action lawsuit dealing with fish farms, sea lice and wild salmon in the Broughton Archipelago. The suit was originally filed against the provincial government by the Kwicksutaineuk/Ah-Kwa-Mish First Nation (KAFN), whose traditional territory includes the Broughton. KAFN Chief Bob Chamberlin is the representative plaintiff.  Read More

Source:  The Hook  9/21/2009

AUSTRALIA/OCEANIA

Get Swamped in Mangroves

AUSTRALIA - They're painful when you accidentally tread on them; sometimes they're a muddy eyesore; and they are even a cause of annoyance for Mary River developers. But mangroves play a vital role in our marine ecosystem. And to make sure they are protected for future generations Fraser Coast residents are keeping a watchful eye on them.  Read More

Source:  Fraser Coast Chronicle  9/29/2009
 
ISSUES ARTICLES

Farm-Fresh Fish, With a Catch: Aquaculture Boom Raises Concerns

By the end of this year, the world is projected to reach an unheralded but historic milestone: Half of the fish and shellfish we consume will be raised by humans, rather than caught in the wild. Reaching this tipping point is reshaping everything from our oceans to the livelihoods and diets of people across the globe.  Read More

Source:  Washington Post  9/20/2009
 
Closing the Science Gaps on What is Happening to the World's Oceans and Seas

The world's oceans and seas-covering 70 per cent of the planet - may soon be subject to the same kind of systematic scientific scrutiny as the globe's land surface.  Read More

Source:  Corporate Social Responsibility Africa Ltd.  9/1/2009