Mangrove News Digest # 653 – June 27, 2026
How the world’s voracious appetite for shrimp is destroying Ecuador’s mangroves
ECUADOR – Over the past decade, Ecuador’s shrimp production has nearly quadrupled, overtaking oil as the country’s top export. Between 1969 and 1999, Ecuador lost up to 43% of its mangroves, and shrimp farms now cover about 1.5 times the area of the remaining mangroves. “People think mangrove destruction is something that happened in the past,” says Eduardo Rebolledo Monsalve, a researcher at the Catholic University in Esmeraldas. “That’s not true.”
World Mangrove Day is July 26, 2026
GLOBAL – World Mangrove Day, observed every July 26, champions the vital role of mangrove forests in protecting coastlines and supporting diverse ecosystems.
Scientists deploy precision tools to revive mangrove wetlands nationwide
CHINA – The Ministry of Natural Resources is mandating a shift toward systematic governance and precision marine restoration powered by standardized, high-tech engineering toolkits.
Vanuatu elevates nature-based solutions in climate planning overhaul
VANUATU – Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation announced new guidance to weave nature-based solutions into national adaptation planning, coastal resilience, and forestry policy.
'Afforestation only lip service, norms ignored’: NGO tells Bombay High Court
INDIA – NGO Vanashakti alleged that afforestation obligations had not been complied with before the commencement of felling and claimed that the BMC was unwilling to place complete afforestation data before the court.
Why Southwest Florida’s natural mangrove protective armor could vanish
USA – As the area progresses into the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, the problem is the mangroves are not recovering sufficiently to provide for adequate protection.
Study warns sea-level rise could alter mangrove carbon storage
USA – The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation study found that changes in coastal landscapes could reduce long-term carbon storage capacity in some areas if mangrove habitats continue to shrink.
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2026 MAP Photography Contest
Winners to be announced July 24, 2026
Submission period has closed
2026 Children’s Mangrove Art Contest AUG 31, 2026 DEADLINE
Your child’s art may be next year’s calendar cover!
Deadline for submissions is Aug 31, 2026. 13 lucky artists will be selected to be featured. Please be sure to follow the instructions on getting your art to us on time and in a useable format.
Submit here by August 31st
ACTION ALERTS
Energia 2000 project threatens livelihoods & mangroves
NO TO PUERTO BARU – Panama’s Mangroves Under Threat! sign the petition.
Urge the DENR to revise or repeal harmful mangrove memorandum
Mexico: Stop the destruction of Chiapas’ forests!
Stop Blue Origin from Dumping Wastewater Into Indian River Lagoon
Rights for Stingless Bees – sign now
Protect the mangroves and tropical forests of Brazil’s Tauá-Mirim! Sign Now
Thank you to our many supporters who made this work possible, and to all of our friends and partners working to protect mangrove forests, worldwide. Mangrove Action Project relies on the generosity of donors to do our urgent work. Whether it’s a one-time or monthly commitment, your contributions make a real difference in safeguarding these critical ecosystems.
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