Cristiano Ronaldo to Help Protect Bali Mangroves

INDONESIA – Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to become an ambassador for Artha Graha Peduli’s mangrove conservation efforts in Bali, the foundation said in a statement. According to the statement, Tomy Winata, the founder of the Artha Graha Group and its philanthropic arm, AGP, first approached the Real Madrid and Portugal midfielder on Friday during a visit to the Spanish capital. “I am really thrilled and happy that Ronaldo has agreed to support our efforts to conserve mangrove forests in Indonesia,” Tomy said in the statement. “Ronaldo is fit to be the ambassador of our mangrove conservation drive, considering his persona and charm. We hope our message ‘Save Mangrove, Save Earth’ can reach all levels of society, both young and old, rich or poor.”  READ MORE
 
AFRICA
 
African Manatee: Freshwater Species of the Week

SIERRA LEON – Delegates to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Bangkok agreed to list the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) on Appendix I on an interim basis, boosting its protections. A final decision on the species’ status is expected by the time the conference wraps up on March 14, according to Humane Society International. The African manatee, also known as the West African manatee, can be found along the coasts and in rivers in 21 countries in West Africa, from Senegal south to Angola. African manatees primarily dine on plants that hang over water, such as mangroves. Microorganisms in their long digestive tracts help them process the vegetable matter. They will also eat occasional mollusks and fish. READ MORE
 
ASIA
 
Court of Appeals awards compensation to woman whose farmland suffered from nearby shrimp farm

THAILAND – The Court of Appeals has awarded Bt1-million compensation to an elderly woman whose farmland suffered at the hands of a nearby shrimp farm. Noi Meepuang, the 86-year-old plaintiff from Non Thai district, welcomed the verdict. "I have solid evidence to prove my case," she said. A number of her neighbours congratulated her on winning the case yesterday. The court issued the ruling on March 5. The court ruled that a shrimp farm operated by Kraisorn Chotichakornphan had ruined 45 rai of Noi's paddy fields. Noi said she would use a part of the compensation to repay her Bt200,000 debt to the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives. READ MORE
 
Shrimp claims need scrutiny
THAILAND – The attempt by a senior civil servant to wave off criticism of a major Thai shrimp farming company may have created more problems than it solved. Highly credible press reports show that a division of the country's giant Charoen Pokphand (CP) conglomerate is using very questionable methods to produce fish meal to feed and raise its shrimp. CP has disputed this, and the government has come to CP's defence, in unseemly haste. The brevity of the timeline is embarrassing. Last week the Sunday Times of London carried the provocative article: "Our taste for prawns is killing the sea." The Times reported that CP Foods, a major subsidiary of CP, produces food for its shrimp stock by using raw materials caught with fine-mesh nets. The nets scoop up virtually everything swimming in the vicinity of the fishing boat. Then, the so-called "trash fish" are turned into fish meal that is fed to the shrimp. READ MORE
 
Pledge with mangroves
PAKISTAN – It would be good to hear nice news that private sectors are now coming forward to encourage environment friendly atmosphere by sincere actions around their dirty, smoky, noisy industrial projects. The example and action is worth following and highly commendable to others. In this context, Pakistan International Bulk Terminal Limited one of the most and keen player in protecting of marine biological life having excellent record in his previous projects now wanted to play its pivotal role for the betterment of Environment and to protect biodiversity facing constant threats by inhuman actions surrounding its new project. Under this arrangement, Mangrove Nurseries would also be established in the project area to raise 60,000 container plants to meet the plantation needs. The nurseries would be staffed by the locals to provide livelihood opportunities for the coastal communities. READ MORE
 
Vital mangrove swamp in Balik Pulau being cleared, say fishermen

MALAYSIA – A 12ha mangrove swamp in Kuala Jalan Bharu, which played a vital role in reducing the impact of the 2004 tsunami, has been cleared to make way for an alleged shrimp breeding project’s extension. Fishermen claimed that the mangrove located along the coastline of Balik Pulau and standing between the shrimp ponds and the sea had been cleared by the shrimp farm owner. Fisherman Thor Poh Lye, 78, said he found out about the mangrove clearing about two days ago, but believed the work had been going on for a week now. “The mangroves must not be chopped down. The swamp played a vital role during the tsunami disaster. It reduced the impact of the waves when they hit our village.
“If the trees are gone, there will be no shield to protect us during a natural disaster. Our houses could be destroyed,” he said at the site yesterday. READ MORE
 
Violence between shrimp farmers kills one
INDONESIA – A prolonged dispute between two rival shrimp farming groups led to a fatal clash recently. The incident in Dente Teladas district in Tulang Bawang regency, Lampung left one dead and 24 injured. Lampung Police chief spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Sulistyaningsih said that, Suwandi, 40, an employee of PT Central Pertiwi Bahari (CPB) was found dead in a canal in Adi Warna village, which is inside in the shrimp farm complex owned by PT CPB. Suwandi was an employee of the cold storage division of PT CPB, Southeast Asia’s largest shrimp farm. Sulistyaningsih said the Lampung Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) had been deployed to Tulang Bawang to secure the shrimp farm along with 90 personnel from Tulang Bawang Police. She added that they were supported by soldiers from the Garuda Hitam Regional Military Command that oversees Lampung province. READ MORE
 
EUROPE
 
March 16 declared “Anti-Scampi Day” to draw attention to shrimp farming and mangroves

SWEDEN – As demand for scampi (a large kind of shrimp or prawn) grows in the West, so do the scampi plantations in Southeast Asia—to the devastation of the mangrove forests, the coastal salt marshes, and the life in the ecosystems they support. The use of antibiotics and chemicals in the plantations also contaminates the basins, making them useful for only several years. Large tracts of land are rendered unusable. The livelihood of some of Southeast Asia’s poorest people depend on these ecosystems, and the sociological impacts are great. The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) has declared March 16 Anti-Scampi Day to highlight these problems. “Mangroves and other coastal ecosystems … are some of the world’s most productive ecosystems and millions of people depend on them for their livelihood,” says Sara Tynnerson, project leader for SSNC’s Anti-Scampi campaign. READ MORE
 
Conservation of mangrove forests
SWITZERLAND – Mangrove forests are an important part of tropical and sub-tropical coastlines but they are under considerable threat. They need more conservation action. The establishment of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) Mangrove Specialist Group by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will bring together experts to share mangrove knowledge and develop conservation plans. The recently-established IUCN SSC Mangrove Specialist Group is going to develop a global conservation strategy for mangroves based on conservation needs. To support mangrove research and conservation projects, the group is bringing together experts to share their knowledge. READ MORE
 Editor's Note – MAP has been invited to attend.
AMERICAS
 
“We Aren’t Fighting Poverty Here, We’re Improving the Quality of Life”

MEXICO – The residents of San Crisanto, a small communal village nestled in an idyllic setting in the southeastern Mexican state of Yucatán, have learned that valuing and protecting natural resources can generate employment and income. The San Crisanto initiative, which combines ecotourism and other economic activities, is a model for other communities located along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, which is rich in biodiversity but exposed to unpredictable weather hazards In 1995, Hurricanes Opal and Roxanne devastated the mangrove forests of San Crisanto, located 1,400 kilometers southeast of Mexico City. First the residents organised to repair the damages. Then they proceeded to strengthen the ecosystem against future threats by clearing channels through the mangrove, to allow water to flow through freely. “The mangrove forests recovered quickly, because the water currents carried nutrients to them. The more mangrove forests there are, the more birds, fish and crocodiles there are,” said José Loria, 56, the operations manager of the ejido, which created the San Crisanto Foundation in 2001.  READ MORE
 
Countervailing duties on imported shrimp could harm trade relations
USA – America’s favorite seafood is once again in the middle of an international trade conflict. This one pits U.S. fishermen and processors against seven foreign governments accused of giving shrimp exporters an unfair advantage, via subsidies, in a competitive market. Because when it comes to selling shrimp, price speaks loudest. And in a price battle between wild American shrimp and their pond-raised counterparts from Southeast Asia and South America, the domestic product almost always gets the short end of the stick.  Domestic shrimp companies cite an urgent need to protect the livelihoods of struggling harvesters and distributors from a crush of imports that dwarf their product in the marketplace by a 9-to-1 margin. The only way to level the playing field, they contend, is to seek tariff relief from the imports that have forced them to undercut their prices to compete or merely keep their businesses afloat. They’ve lost market share and jobs and fear the extinction of their proud, yet aging, industry. READ MORE
 
Tampering with our Future

USA – Recently, Anne Mosness did an hour long radio interview on GE salmon and related topics, and the editor of the Cascade Weekly (a Washington paper) pressed her for an article a week before she thought it was going in.  “ While it might be rough, it describes serious consequences on coastal fisheries throughout our region if cheap/GE salmon flood markets in the future. Washington and our offshore waters are targeted for expanded industrial aquaculture which concerns folks from California to Alaska,” said Mosness. “Consumers need to be aware that U.S. food policies are undergoing huge changes and if they have concerns, they need to contact their legislators, members of Congress and the Food and Drug Administration. The potential for negative impacts on human health, the environment, traditional food producers and businesses make transparency, safeguards and regulations very important.” READ MORE
 
Sunset World Puts Together a Workshop on Mangrove Conservation
MEXICO – Thirty-six percent of Mexican mangroves have been changed or replaced, and the Yucatan’s Peninsula, home of 55% of them, also presents great damage on these costal ecosystems, caused by non-organized tourism, over-exploitation of species and human settlements. On the workshop titled “Introduction to the Management and Conservation of Mangroves” organized by the tourist group Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences to commemorate World Wetlands Day, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) in Mexico, added that the state of Quintana Roo have the second place on mangrove territory with 16%, only behind Campeche. READ MORE
 
 
OCEANA
 
Climate change a 'mixed bag' for Pacific Island fisheries and aquaculture 

AUSTRALIA – An international, multidisciplinary team of scientists have combined their expertise to make projections for the future of tropical Pacific fisheries and aquaculture in the 21st century. Their research suggests that predicted climate change in the region will create winners and losers in both fisheries and aquaculture, requiring adaptation by many Pacific Island nations. Dr Janice Lough, Senior Principal Research Scientist of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) was one of the team to collaborate on the project, co-ordinated through the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and part-funded by AusAID. As a specialist in marine climate projections and their consequences for human activities on coral reef ecosystems, Dr Lough provided insights into observed and possible future climates of the tropical Pacific. "It was extremely rewarding to be a part of this important project which is ultimately about assisting people and governments throughout the tropical Pacific in planning for future food security and economic prosperity," says Dr Lough. READ MORE
 
Hectares of Whangamata mangroves set to go
NEW ZEALAND – It's the beginning of the end for thousands of mangroves that have choked large parts of the harbour and estuary in Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula. Next week, Waikato Regional Council will begin removing over four hectares of mature mangrove plants. The Environment Court granted a consent last year to remove around 18 hectares of mangroves, that began spreading in the 1940's because of sedimentation from land clearance and development in the area. VIEW SOURCE
 
Mangrove Management plan revived
FIJI – The International Union For Conservation of Nature is reviving a twenty-seven year old Mangrove Management Plan in light of developments taking place around Fiji. IUCN Program Manager Milika Sobey says they’re working with the Lands Ministry to come up with methods that promote foreshore development, but at the same time protect mangroves. "The Mangrove managment plan will allow them to make informed decisions of which mangroves to perhaps convert, maybe calculating off sets – if you convert this patch of mangrove – what is the off set – are you going to conserve another area?” The revamped plan will guide the government on how to proceed with development that may endanger mangrove resources. READ MORE
 
LAST WORD
 
Thank you so much for your support and prayers for my husband, Anwar Sadat.
 
This overwhelming support has made me feel that I am not alone, and has given me the strength to move on. Many still care and believe in the fight represented by Anwar.
 
Because of you, 23 peasants have been released by the police. But 3 of them, Anwar, Dedek, and Kamaludin are still in custody. Please continue your support by sharing this petition (below) to the head of South Sumatera police through Facebook, Twitter, or Email.
 
The latest update, Anwar’s case has been sent to the prosecutor’s office, and he has now been transferred to Pakjo prison in Palembang. He is being charged under the Criminal Code Article 170 and being alleged of destroying the gate of the police station during a protest on land rights back in January 29th. However, the charge has no witness or evidence.
 
Everyday I await the release of Anwar. He is a victim of police brutality, his head was injured, he had a fat lip and bruised shoulders. He is only guilty for his passion in fighting for the rights of the marginalized peasants in the village of Betung Cinta Manis, that has been fighting for their land rights since 1982.
 
I am really dumbfounded on why he was arrested and detained. Why was his head bleeding? Why the bruises all over his body? Is helping the peasants a crime? He is not even granted bail! Where is the justice?
 
On March 4, 2013, my husband will begin to be heard in court. I invite you to spread a petition asking the court to release my husband Anwar Sadat, Dedek Chaniago and Kamaludin
 
Thank You,
 
Nitra Primiade A
Change.org.
View the petition  |  View and reply to this message online

~ If you’d like to have the last word on this or any other mangrove related topic, please send us your submission for upcoming newsletters. We’ll choose one per issue to have “the last word”. While we can’t promise to publish everyone’s letter, we do encourage anyone to post comments on our Blog at www. mangroveactionproject.blogspot.com

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