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The MAP News, 222nd Ed., 16 October 2009
Dear Friends,
This is the 222nd Edition of the Mangrove Action Project News, October 16,2009.
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!
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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
MAP ACTIVITIES:
Political Ecology of Mangroves in Southern Honduras book released
MAP supports Friends of the Mangroves Malaysia
Join or Support the Mumbai Mangroves Group
FEATURED NEWS:
SE ASIA
Dam Plan Threatens Fisheries
CAMBODIA - Hundreds of thousands of Cambodians could go hungry if plans for a 30-metre hydroeletric dam on the Mekong River are given the go-ahead, a coalition of international scientists has warned in an open letter. Read More
Source: Phnom Penh Post 8/28/2009
Mangroves Disappearing Fast with Global Appetite for Shrimp
INDONESIA - A large area of mangrove forests in Lampung, which acts as a buffer for coastal residents from tidal waves, has been depleted rapidly over the past year, especially in South Lampung, East Lampung and Tanggamus regencies, where only 25 percent of the original forests remain. Read More
Source: Jakarta Post 10/17/2009
Activists Go to School
INDONESIA – Every year, students enroll in economics schools with plans to become bankers, or in medical schools to become doctors or engineering departments to train as architects. But where should you go if your dream is to work as an environmental defender? What kind of education can you turn to if you want to apply strategically your passion and become an environmental activist? Read More
Source: Jakarta Post 10/6/2009
Saving the Mangroves
MALAYSIA - Years ago, the coastal areas of Selangor were covered by mangroves. The roots of the trees there clustered together to form a natural barrier to break strong waves before they hit the shore. Read More
Source: The Star Online 10/5/2009
Almost Half of Mangroves Degraded
MALAYSIA - About 40pc of the 320,000 hectares of forest mangroves in Sabah need to be rehabilitated, said Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society (SWCS) President Haji Zainie Abdul Aucasa. Read More
Source: Daliy Express 10/10/2009
Civil Society Reps Meet to Respond to Climate Change Concerns
PHILIPPINES - Representatives of civil society here gathered Friday to respond to growing concerns on climate change. Mark Cervantes, program officer of Disaster Risk Reduction under Ecoweb Inc., said “civil society will be joining the worldwide call to prioritize the enforcement of environmental protection policies.” Read More
Source: Minda News 10/3/2009
Youth Leads Drive in Saving Masbate Mangroves
PHILIPPINES - Nothing like starting them young. The city government on Saturday (September 26) organized its residents to plant mangroves in Barangay Pawa, and tapped Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairs to lead more than a thousand government officials and employees and members of various private organizations in the mass mangrove planting. Read More
Source: Philippine Information Agency 10/5/2009
45 Hectares of Bataan Coastal Areas Now Reforested with Mangroves
PHILIPPINES - At least 45 hectares of coastal areas here have been reforested with mangroves in line with the coastal-management program of the provincial government of Bataan. The coastal areas along Manila Bay planted with mangroves stretch into the Bataan towns of Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga, Pilar, Orion, Limay and Mariveles, said Butch Baluyot, head of the capitol project management office. Read More
Source: Business Mirror 10/12/2009
Responses Planned to Child and Forced Labour Allegations
THAILAND - Thailand has 10 more weeks to defend itself against US allegations of child labour and forced labour in the sugarcane, shrimp and garment industries. The Foreign Affairs and Commerce ministries have urged these industries to provide information on employment and working conditions for Thai and immigrant workers to the US Department of Labor during its public hearing period, which ends on Dec 10. Read More
Source: Bangkok Post 1/10/2009
New Research Brings Climate Change Threat Home to Thailand
THAILAND - Two years ago, the report of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change created shockwaves in the Western world, but hardly lifted a single eyebrow in Thailand. Partly that was because the report suggested Thailand would not be affected as badly as many other parts of the world. Read More
Source: The Nation 5/18/2009
Thai Villagers in Bid to Halt Disappearing Coast
THAILAND - Some villagers use bamboo fencing. Others plant mangroves. And some do both to fight back against erosion transforming centuries-old communities on the Gulf of Thailand. Read More
Source: Reuters 10/6/2009
Local Man Shifting the Tide for Mangroves in Thailand
THAILAND - At low tide, Vorapol Dounglomchan can see the foundation of his childhood home sitting forlornly in the muddy path of an encroaching sea. At high tide, he could swim to it if he wanted to. But the 48-year-old father of two chose another path, one that could be described as swimming against the tide: He's trying to reclaim the coastline a generation of neglect has lost. Read More
Source: Earth Times 10/11/2009
Turning the Tide: Reclaiming Land with the Help of Nature
THAILAND - Have you ever been to Bangkok beach? I am talking about a natural beach by the sea, not the one at the Suan Siam water theme park on the outskirts of the city. Bangkok beach is actually part of the Bang Khun Thian district. It is the only area in Bangkok that is by the sea. Read More
Source: Bangkok Post 10/11/2009
Ca Mau Firm Probed for Subverting Forest Protection Mission
VIETNAM - Environment and resource officials have been asked to investigate a local forestation company accused of deliberately diverting water from rivers, consequently killing mangrove forests in Ca Mau province. Read More
Source: Thanh Nien News 10/15/2009
SOUTH ASIA
India’s Black Tiger Shrimp to get Image Makeover in US
INDIA - The premium Indian black tiger shrimp has found a new agency to promote it in the US, among the largest markets for marine food products, including a new branding and campaign blitz. Read More
Source: Thaindian 10/5/2009
Residents to Guard Mangrove at Gorai
INDIA - Destruction of several mangroves has been reported from across the state despite the fact that the state government lists mangrove lands as notified forests. With authorities displaying a complete disregard towards the preservation of mangrove areas, a section of citizens have now decided to take action against the destruction. Read More
Source: DNA 10/3/2009
Declining Catch Hitting Seafood Industry
INDIA - After moving from one crisis to another due to external factors in the last decade, the Indian seafood industry is today confronting the most challenging times in its history, Mr Anwar Hashim, President of the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), said. Addressing the 39th AGM of SEAI, he said that there is a sharp decline in catch along both the East and West coasts due to over fishing and pollution of the coastal waters. Read More
Source: Hindu Business 10/2/2009
Wildlife Activists Move Supreme Court
INDIA - Three renowned wildlife activists have moved the Supreme Court, alleging that that the private Dhamra port was being built on forest land. The petitioners alleged that this was in defiance of the stipulated law and also the apex court, which had earlier acknowledged the status of the land. Read More
Source: Times of India 10/10/2009
MIDDLE EAST
Basic Ecological Balance: Mangrove Management in Oman
OMAN - The tropical cyclone Gonu devastated large areas on the cost of the Sultanate of Oman in June 2007, leaving 70 people dead. It also damaged parts of the mangrove forests around the capital and in the Qurum (mangrove) area of the city. The mangrove forests still survived and offered protection against the tidal waves, flooding and intrusion of salt water towards the inland. Read More
Source: Middle East Online 10/6/2009
NORTH AMERICA
Protest against fish farms draws hundreds in Vancouver
CANADA - Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Vancouver Saturday, asking the government of Canada to do more to protect wild salmon, specifically to ban open-net salmon farms. Read More
Source: Digital Journal 10/4/2009
IFC Agrees to Suspend Funding for Palm Oil Sector in Response to NGO Critique
UNITED STATES - In response to an appeal by a global coalition of NGOs, IFC / World Bank President Robert Zoellick has agreed to suspend IFC funding of the oil palm sector pending the development of a revised strategy for dealing with the troubled sector. Read More
Source: GoForWood 9/15/2009
Erosion-Fighting Mangroves take Root
UNITED STATES - Their “propagules,” the scientific name for the seeds, dangle like gargantuan green beans and begin their drop-in journey into the Indian River Lagoon, improving the prospects of a well-guarded shoreline. Read More
Source: Florida Today 10/12/2009
ISSUES ARTICLES
Marine Plant Life Holds the Secret to Preventing Global Warming
Life in the ocean has the potential to help to prevent global warming, according to a report published today. Marine plant life sucks 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year, but most of the plankton responsible never reaches the seabed to become a permanent carbon store. Read More
Source: Times Online 10/14/2009
Oceans Seen as New Front to Fight Climate Change
SOUTH AFRICA – Preventing the destruction of marine life, from plankton to seagrasses and mangroves forests, could help offset between 3 to 7 percent of current fossil fuel emissions, a U.N. environmental report said on Wednesday. Read More
Source: Reuters 10/14/2009
