Chinese symposium promotes MAP strategy

CHINA – Mangrove Action Project received formal approval for a proposal for a global assessment of past and present mangrove restoration in an attempt to establish a best practices approach to mangrove restoration. This assessment will involve MAP, Robin Lewis of Florida and Norm Duke of MangroveWatch of Australia in the process. MangroveWatch will undertake the actual groundwork of assessing the success and failure of selected restoration sites. This is important because too often mangrove restoration projects are not monitored and evaluated, thus allowing bad practices to be repeated and promoted, funded by unsuspecting funders such as the World Bank to the tune of millions of dollars and thousands of wasted man hours in futile plantings. Because this failure to monitor and evaluate leads to around 70% or more failure rates, we are losing opportunity to reverse the ongoing negative trend in mangrove losses. Therefore, undertaking this kind of widespread study of restoration attempts in Asia, the Americas and Africa could well help positively influence future mangrove restoration programs, and we can be assured CBEMR approaches will get the positive attention they so long have deserved. READ MORE
 
AFRICA
 
Crops, fish dwindling with hope

SENEGAL – Thousands of people on the tiny islands and villages of Western Africa are living on the frontline of climate change: not only are water levels here now higher than they used to be, droughts and erratic rainfalls lead to floods that carve through the white-shell-lined alleyways, and increased salt levels are poisoning the fresh waters, land and agriculture. The loss of mangrove habitat — driven by nature and human actions — means coastal lines and fish breeding grounds are being erased. The islanders' way of life is fundamentally changing with the climate, and livelihoods based on fishing and agriculture are disappearing, leaving them with little income and fears of starvation. Some are making the perilous journey to Europe in hopes they can help support their families. "It is important that the world knows about the cases you have on the islands, because climate change is not just about one house or one country. You know, we are living on the same planet," said Aissata Dia, ActionAid Senegal's head of programs and policy. I just want them to visit our islands, where they can't do agriculture" and must walk miles or take a boat to buy fruit, vegetables and the rice they used to grow, she said.” READ MORE
 
ASIA
 
Worrying Trends In Rubber Expansion Across Southeast Asia

When one mentions “deforestation” in Southeast Asia, oil palm usually comes to mind. However, a study published in Global Environmental Change shows that rubber plantations also play a significant role, having increased by more than 50 percent since 2000. Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) originates from South America. Its history of cultivation in Southeast Asia can be traced back to the 22 seedlings that were sent to the Singapore Botanic Gardens in 1876 from Kew Gardens in London. The climate in tropical countries suited rubber cultivation and the industry expanded, particularly in Malaysia and Indonesia. Governmental decisions to develop other sectors led to an interest in oil palm, which has since been in the limelight for to its negative impact on native ecosystems. However, demand for natural rubber has steadily increased, despite the invention of synthetic rubber as an alternative. READ MORE
 
Feeding ‘Godzilla’: as Indonesia burns, its government moves to increase forest destruction
INDONESIA – In the midst of its worst fire crisis in living memory, the Indonesian government is taking a leap backward on forest protection. The recently signed Council of Palm Oil Producing Nations between Indonesia and Malaysia, signed at the weekend in Kuala Lumpur, will attempt to wind back palm oil companies' pledges to end deforestation. This is despite Indonesia’s efforts to end fires and palm oil cultivation on peatlands. If successful the move will undo recent attempts to end deforestation from palm oil production, and exacerbate the risk of future forest fires. Since August, forest and peatland fires have become so widespread across Indonesia that, in satellite images, the nation has looked like an over-lit Christmas tree. READ MORE
 
6,400 Signatures and Thumbprints Submitted in Support of Local People’s Statement
VIETNAM – An Giang, Vietnam- More than 100 people gathered yesterday in An Giang, Vietnam for the historic Mekong People’s Forum: “Local Mekong People’s Voices: the message to Mekong governments on Mekong dams.” Participants included community members from the Tonle Sap lake, communities along the Mekong and 3S Rivers in Cambodia, from Northern and Northeastern Thailand’s communities along the Mekong and from An Giang, Dak Lak and Ca Mau, Vietnam. Most people have already experienced direct impacts from dams on the Mekong and its tributaries. The meeting marks the first time that communities from different Mekong countries have organized themselves to create a common platform from which to raise their concern regarding the impacts of existing and planned hydropower projects on the Mekong River. At the forum, community representatives presented a statement (attached) by local people entitled “Mekong governments: Listen to the People!“ to regional governments, signed by more than 6,400 local people from the Mekong River Basin, along with supporting organizations and individuals. The statement calls for Mekong governments to urgently listen to the concerns of the people, and to respect the rights of local communities to make decisions about the future of their lives and able to continue in protecting their rivers. READ MORE
 
Vietnamese shrimp exporters hit by reduced demand, prices
VIETNAM – Exports of shrimp from Vietnam have fallen dramatically this year due to weakened demand in key markets, which has in turn driven down prices. According to new statistics from Vietnam Customs – published by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) – the Southeast Asian country’s shrimp exports for the 10 months through October 2015 declined in value by 26.7 percent year-on-year to around USD 2.5 billion (EUR 2.4 billion). Vietnam’s leading market, the United States, imported USD 536.5 million (EUR 506.1 million) worth of shrimp during the period, a decrease of 41 percent year-on-year. The average market price paid for shrimp by the United States in the first three-quarters of this year was USD 9.42 (EUR 8.89) per kg, down 20 percent year-on-year. READ MORE
 
Who's Destroying Mangroves? Mumbai Residents Allege Government Apathy
INDIA – Residents of Mumbai's Versova have launched protests against the government, slamming what they say is illegal dumping of garbage and construction debris in mangroves around the area. Angry residents say they want action to be taken against those responsible. "Within two days, they put about 50 trucks of debris here. It is the builder's conspiracy because nobody else would be able to do it. It is also not possible unless the police and the local system are involved. Putting debris on mangroves and water bodies is a big crime," said Ashoke Pandit, a filmmaker who resides in the area. Residents say they also have to bear the brunt of what follows after acres of mangroves are razed to the ground. "They burn these mangroves in the night and sometimes the smoke is so thick that your eyes start burning and people cannot breathe. All these things are happening here in front of us," said Shashi Ranjan, another resident. READ MORE
 
AMERICAS
 
Mangrove Action Project Receives Disney Conservation Grant

USA –  Mangrove Action Project (MAP) has been awarded a $19,800 grant from the Disney Conservation Fund (DCF). The conservation grant recognizes Mangrove Action Project’s efforts to educate young people throughout the world on the vital importance of mangrove wetlands, in this instance the focus is on introducing MAP’s ‘Marvellous Mangroves’ curriculum to Suriname’s schools. “Suriname is the thirteenth country throughout the world where MAP has begun the process of translating, adapting, researching and introducing ‘Marvellous Mangroves’ – a 300-page curriculum linked teaching resource guide,” said MAP Global Education Director Martin Keeley. “The Disney grant will enable us to complete this exciting program and inspire local people to protect the mangrove forests of Suriname.”  READ MORE
 
Mangroves, Stilts, and Canals Might Just Save South Beach From Rising Seas
USA – To designer Isaac Stein, there's no reason to fear the rising seas in South Florida. Instead, the encroaching water should be embraced as part of the next phase in Miami Beach's evolution. In fact, Stein has proposed one of the most creative solutions yet to save South Beach — a mix of urban mangrove forest, buildings on stilts, and citywide canals that would turn Miami Beach into a pedestrian-friendly, water-borne city. “Just look at Venice or many Dutch cities,” he says. “Bringing in water and inviting it to be part of the city can really add quality and value. It can make the city better.” Stein grew up in Florida’s Panhandle, in the bayou town of Port Washington. Since he was a youngster, summertime hurricanes forced him to learn to “live with water.” When Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast in 2012, Stein was a student at the University of Miami School of Architecture. “I went out surfing during it,” he says, “and that was the first time I really saw water rising into the city.” READ MORE
 
OCEANA
 
Mangroves: the unsung star of coastal ecosystems

AUSTRALIA – Mangroves are the "not-so-sexy" members of the coastal ecosystem but a group of researchers and community members are working to raise their profile. James Cook University (JCU) scientists are creating a comprehensive map of the shoreline as part of the Coastal Habitat Archive and Monitoring Program (CHAMP) funded by Gladstone Ports Corporation. JCU's Dr Norman Duke said the project will provide a "unique view" of the shoreline as well as detailed information about conditions and changes. James Cook University (JCU) scientists are creating a comprehensive map of the shoreline as part of the Coastal Habitat Archive and Monitoring Program (CHAMP). James Cook University (JCU) scientists are creating a comprehensive map of the shoreline as part of the Coastal Habitat Archive and Monitoring Program (CHAMP). "Big changes are expected – as shoreline development expands, with pollution events, coupled with severe storms, sea level rise and other aspects of climate change," he said. READ MORE

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