Incredible wildlife photograph wins Mangrove Photography Award
GLOBAL – The Mangrove Action Project has announced the winners of the 2020 Mangrove Photography Award, with the grand prize going to Victor Hugo Luja Molina, who captured an incredible wildlife photograph of a female jaguar with her cub. However, Victor wasn’t the only wildlife photographer to feature in this year’s awards, with images of crocodiles and flamingos also making a welcome appearance. The Mangrove Photography Awards were created to give an insight into the world of mangroves from all over the world. This year’s entries help to capture the relationships between wildlife, coastal communities and mangrove forests. They also help show the fragility of these unique ecosystems from both above and below the water. Victor Hugo Luja Molina’s winning shot was taken in a mangrove forest in Mexico. Jaguars are rarely seen in mangroves, which is part of what makes Victor’s shot so special.. READ MORE GLOBAL MAP’s Annual Children’s Mangrove Art Competition
GLOBAL – This year MAP’s Children’s Mangrove Art Calendar Competition was interrupted by the COVID pandemic. This forced us to change the guidelines for the contest that we have produced over the past 19 years. Around the world, schools were closed, the youths isolated in their homes without much to do and teachers teaching remotely where possible In the face of these new and challenging constraints, we decided to conduct this contest in a different way, via expanded outreach to NGOs and schools, and by posting announcements in art-related online publications. A big change was our opening this year’s contest to all children globally, not only to children who lived in countries with mangroves. READ MORE Biodiversity is fundamental to human life on Earth
GLOBAL – The global Living Planet Index continues to decline. It shows an average 68% decrease in population sizes of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish between 1970 and 2016. A 94% decline in the LPI for the tropical subregions of the Americas is the largest fall observed in any part of the world. Why does this matter? It matters because biodiversity is fundamental to human life on Earth, and the evidence is unequivocal – it is being destroyed by us at a rate unprecedented in history. Since the industrial revolution, human activities have increasingly destroyed and degraded forests, grasslands, wetlands and other important ecosystems, threatening human well-being. Seventy-five per cent of the Earth’s ice-free land surface has already been significantly altered, most of the oceans are polluted, and more than 85% of the area of wetlands has been lost. READ MORE Biodiversity needs the voices of indigenous peoples
GLOBAL – Ongoing disregard of the vital contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use—in- cluding in national biodiversity strategies and action plans—constitutes a major missed opportunity for the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011–2020. This neglect has affected the under-achievement of all 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, with fundamental lessons remaining to be learnt about securing the future of nature and cultures. Putting the cultures and rights of IPLCs at the heart of the 2050 biodiversity strategy would deliver sustainable livelihoods and wellbeing, and positive out- comes for biodiversity and climate. Overcoming dualism, separation and imbalances in relationships between humans and nature is central to addressing the biodiversity and health crises, including the rise of zoonotic diseases and pandemics. Sustained interactions and partner- ships between sciences and indigenous and local knowledge systems—inclusive of women, men, elders and youth—are enriching contemporary problem-solving with holism and reciprocity. READ MORE AFRICA More Mysterious Dark Substances Seen In Ocean Around Mauritius After Oil Spill
MAURITIUS – The giant puzzle surrounding the Mauritius oil spill keeps getting bigger almost two months on, as more pieces are added, and fewer questions are answered. On Sunday 20 September, local kitesurf instructor, Denis Labeauté filmed a mysterious dark substance in the waters moving around the South of the island. Based on the direction of the currents at this time of year, the substance was coming from the direction of the giant Japanese ship, the Wakashio, and the subsequent oil spill. It could also have been coming from the direction of the sunken front part of the vessel, the part of the vessel still stuck on the reef, or the cleanup operation, that continues under strict secrecy. Given that the Wakashio was sunk in an undisclosed location and a full inventory has still not yet been disclosed of what was on the vessel, it is unclear whether the dark substance could have originated from the vessel. READ MORE AMERICAS Cayman Islands Mangrove Rangers Begin Operations
CAYMAN ISLANDS – The Cayman Islands Mangrove Rangers have begun field observations following a month of intensive training from experts in the scientific, policy and legal fields. Launched on World Mangrove Day by a group of mangrove organizations – including the Mangrove Action Project and Mangrove Education – the Rangers will provide data to the Department of Environment and National Conservation Council by collecting information on mangroves throughout the islands as well as monitoring existing and proposed developments which currently have little environmental oversight. READ MORE Our Paradise and Sovereignty under Siege
GRENADA – We, the concerned people of Grenada, demand better governance for land use and project development. We call upon the government and the Planning and Development Authority to act in the interest of our communities and protect our shared natural and cultural heritage in La Sagesse, Mount Hartman & Levera. Moving forward, we demand more inclusive sustainable development planning through the establishment of a National Physical Development Plan – this is long overdue. We appreciate the necessity of development in Grenada, and we do not intend in any way to hamper the economic potential of the country or jeopardize the creation of much-needed jobs, particularly in the rural parishes. However, this should not happen to the detriment of the country’s invaluable and finite cultural and environmental assets. SIGN OUR PETITION The Florida Activist Is 78. The Legal Judgment Against Her Is $4 Million
USA – Maggy Hurchalla’s piece of Florida heaven is a patch of pristine Atlantic shore accessible only by boat in St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park. She and her husband nicknamed it the “End of the World” when they first came upon it half a century ago, after paddling south along the barrier island to the water’s end. She still likes to skinny-dip at the beach. Ms. Hurchalla, 78, could spend her remaining years kayaking here, readily outpacing paddlers less than half her age. Or traveling the country, giving speeches about the legacy of her sister, Janet Reno, the first female attorney general of the United States. But instead of reveling in her retirement, Ms. Hurchalla, who has devoted her life to protecting the untamed Florida wilderness that she loved, has been fighting a public battle with a rock-mining company — and losing. A jury decided last year that Ms. Hurchalla should pay $4.4 million in damages to Lake Point Restoration, a company that has a limestone mining operation in Martin County, along Florida’s Treasure Coast. READ MORE ASIA China to have 18,800 hectares of mangrove forests by 2025
CHINA – China will have created and restored 18,800 hectares of mangrove forests by 2025, said an action plan recently issued by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA).Of the total, 9,050 hectares of mangrove forests will be built over the next five years, and 9,750 hectares will be rehabilitated. The action plan, aiming at the protection and restoration of mangrove forests during the 2020-2025 period, will ensure strict protection for existing mangrove forests and scientific measures for mangrove ecological restoration, so as to expand the coverage of mangrove forests, increase biodiversity, and comprehensively improve the ecological system of mangrove forests. READ MORE The Criminalization of Fisherfolks, Environmental Activist and Student Journalist in Makassar
INDONESIA – KIARA with Save Indonesian Seas Coalition, Alliance to Save South Sulawesi Coastal Area (ASP Sulawesi Selatan) and other civil society organizations in South Sulawesi have condemned the arbitrary arrestation of 7 (seven) fisherfolks, 1 (one) environment activist, and 3 (three) students – who work as press journalist in Makassar, by Polairud (Air and Water Police Force) of South Sulawesi. The arbitrary arrest was conducted to detain several fisherfolks, namely Nawir, Asrul, Andi Saputra, Irwan, Mustakim, Nasar, and Rijal. One of the fisherfolks even experienced physical violence to the point that his face was bleeding. In addition, the environment activist – Rahmat – who was recording the incident, was also being arrested and experienced some physical violence. He was hit in the face, being kicked, stomped in the neck. Even Rahmat’s handphone which being used to record, fell into the sea when the Polairud tried to confiscate it. Meanwhile, the other three students whom also being student press journalists, were actually doing news covering on the mass action. READ MORE Vaikaradhoo Mangrove Forest Under Threat
MALDIVES – Recent photos circulating in social media confirms the deteriorating condition of H.Dh Vaikaradhoo’s mangrove forest, adding it to the list of mangroves under threat in the northern most region of Maldives. H.Dh Vaikaradhoo’s Council President, Ahmed Naseem, in his interview to ‘Thiladhun’ stated that, the council is making an effort to bring this issue to the government’s immediate attention. He noted that there has been no identification of the cause behind the sudden die-off of mangroves in the island. Vaikaradhoo’s mangrove forest is a protected area, housing many endemic species. The before and after pictures of the mangroves highlight the graveness of the situation. These pictures have been taken by a group of environmentally conscious youth, hoping to make a change. READ MORE Trying to revive and protect Indonesia’s mangroves
INDONESIA – Indonesia’s extensive mangroves could be one of the cheapest ways of reducing carbon emissions, according to scientists. Indonesia’s coastlines are home to more mangrove forests than anywhere else.They protect the land from erosion and absorb carbon emissions, protecting people’s livelihoods and their health. Over the past few years, a lot of mangroves have been cut down for tourism or industrial developments but now, individual groups and the government are promising to do more to protect them. WATCH THE VIDEO LAST WORD Dear Readers, As you may know, MAP is now really trying to emphasis PROTECTION over RESTORATION, whereby we must first PROTECT our planet’s remaining primary mangrove forests and only restore these forests if protection fails. But protection/ conservation is our foremost objective. In Grenada, there is a perfect example of a small island nation’s mangroves & other critical habitats coral reef, seagrass, endangered turtle nesting beaches, a saltwater pond important to migratory birds, being damaged & lost. Also, besides all the designated three development areas were traditionally used by local Grenadians which will become off limits without their consent or even consultation.
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Giving could never be easier  | ACTION ALERTSOur Paradise and Sovereignty under Siege – Protect Grenada from Destructive Development! SIGN THE PETITIONStop the destruction of Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve
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CBEMR Training in Tanzania: Ground-breaking training breathes life into mangrove ecosystem restoration – The Mangrove Alliance Please see our newest video: ” Restoring The Natural Mangrove Forest” – https://youtu.be/Vh7CoPBLQa8 Mangrove Restoration Map VIEW MAP HERE 
Restoring The Natural Mangrove Forest
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Community Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration in Rufiji Delta VIEW VIDEO Video: Mangroves for the Future – A look bacK. As the latest phase of Mangroves for the Future (MFF) draws to a close, this video highlights some of the project’s most successful initiatives – from local women supporting national park management in Viet Nam to an island in the Maldives that has become a model for waste management, and everything in between. View Here WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
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Singing for the Sundarbans WATCH HERE Entrevista con Monica Quarto del Mangrove Action Project (Spanish language) Oye Aqui
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MANGROVE ISSUES Want to learn more about mangroves?
Our short presentation will give you a better understanding of the issues we are working to solve. WATCH PRESENTATION What is CBEMR? Download MAP’s 2 page CBEMR Information Sheet containing links to all MAP’s CBEMR resources – CLICK HERE What is EPIC? – The Ecosystems Protecting Infrastructure and Communities (EPIC) project: the role of ecosystems as protective barriers against climate induced hazards MANGROVES APP AVAILABLE
A pictorial field guide for easy identification of various mangrove species and learning about the mangroves ecosystem. CLICK HERE View MAP’s uploaded Videos at MAPmangrover’sChannel
Question Your Shrimp Consumer/Markets Campaign!
WATCH VIDEO WATCH – Mangroves: how they help the ocean
 Mangrove Restoration in Asia – Watch Short Video The Value of Mangrove Forests View Video CBEMR Experience Exchange MAP 2017 English Subtitles
VIEW THE VIDEO Mangroves: Guidebook to Malaysia – Click Here
Mangrove rehabilitation in Asia – Local Action and cross-border Transfer of Knowledge for the Conservation of Climate, Forests and Biodiversity VIEW VIDEOS HERE SHARE MAP’S VISION
CLICK HERE to watch short introductory video. Together we can work “at the roots of the sea”. Our short documentary, Reducing the Risk of Disaster through Nature-Based Solutions : Mangroves
INTERVIEW – Yale Climate Connection interview with MAP’s Alfredo Quarto LISTEN Exclusive Interview with Alfredo Quarto, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mangrove Action Project – See more
Marvellous Mangroves Curriculum The Marvellous Mangroves Education Forum is an online hub for those utilizing the Marvellous Mangroves (MM) Curriculum. It gives students, teachers and anyone interested in mangroves, the opportunity to learn and share ideas themed around the curriculum, to connect and communicate with others around the globe whilst exploring mangroves from your computer or on the go. VISIT 
The award-winning Marvellous Mangroves (MM) curriculum educates children on the importance of mangroves and their ecological functions, teaching them about modern challenges and mechanisms for sustainability. VIEW VIDEO Marvellous Mangroves Curriculum in Bangladesh – WATCH VIDEO
MARVELLOUS MANGROVES IN BRAZIL
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Marvellous Mangroves – A Curriculum-Based Teachers Guide. FOR MORE ON MAPs AWARD WINNING CHINA MANGROVE CURRICULUM VISIT
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VISIT OUR “MM” WEBPAGE Check out our presentation for more details on Marvellous Mangroves Read this 10 page history of the development of MAP’s educational curriculum VIEW DOCUMENT
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“Question Your Shrimp” Campaign Question Your Shrimp- Don’t Buy or Sell Imported Tropical Shrimp! Sign the Petition Learn more about the affects of the shrimp industry on mangroves by visiting our blog
Editor’s Note: Mangrove Action Project’s Executive Director, Alfredo Quarto was interviewed about shrimp by Green Acre Radio’s Martha Baskin
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