Interested in what we have been up to? Check out the top highlights from 2024! Nature itself is offering us a lifeline, a deeply rooted one at that.   This year we have faced increasing levels of deforestation, development, and pollution, all while our climate warms, sea levels rise, and storms hit with increased frequency and severity. We are reminded time and time again that we are at a pivotal juncture in history, one that will determine our future trajectory. We are also reminded that there is hope. Nature itself is offering us a lifeline, a deeply rooted one at that. Nature holds an incredible ability to aid in climate adaptation and mitigation. Globally, Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) can deliver 30% of the emission reductions needed by 2030. Mangroves continue to be recognized as a critical NCS due to their incredible carbon sequestration ability. As some of the world’s most productive ecosystems, billions of people depend on mangroves for food, protection, and their livelihoods. “They are not just a home, but a pulsing heart for the surrounding lands and seas” (Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary Convention on Biological Diversity). The Global Mangrove Alliance is a global community committed to action: halting loss, restoring half, and doubling protection of these vital ecosystems. Our research, publications, and science-based reports, like the 2024 State of the World’s Mangroves, confirm their global importance to coastal communities and biodiversity. We are so thankful for all your support this past year. It has been a year full of new opportunities, partnerships, and recognition. Interested in what we have been up to? The top 10 highlights from 2024 include:  The State of the World’s Mangroves 2024 used the latest update from the  Global Mangrove Watch  to show the tremendous progress towards mangrove protection as well as how they contribute to carbon sequestration and protection of coastal areas from storm surge.  We launched four new chapters ! These national chapters are carrying out critical efforts on the ground in the Bahamas, Liberia, Guinea Bissau , and Senegal. The total number of national chapters now stands at thirteen, a substantial increase from four chapters in 2021.  Global Mangrove Watch improved their ability to map mangroves, adding six new territories to their database and releasing a new extent layer at 10m resolution. Representatives from National Chapters, GMA coordination and leadership teams, and Mangrove Breakthrough representatives met in-person for the first time this October for the Senegal Workshop. Together they developed critical elements of a cohesive National Country strategy template, discussed Chapter needs, and strengthened relationships across Chapters.   The Mangrove Breakthrough has made tremendous progress in 2024! 35 national and subnational governments are now endorsing the Mangrove Breakthrough towards the protection of 15 million hectares of mangroves by 2030. From launching the NDC Task Force and establishing an Advisory Council to taking center stage at COP29 in Baku, the Breakthrough is driving action for mangrove conservation and restoration globally. Ecuador project launch: The Mangroves for Climate project, presented by Conservation International Ecuador (CI-Ecuador) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE), and co/lead of the GMA Ecuador Chapter, was approved by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) this year. With funding of $36.4 million, this project aims to protect and restore mangroves along mainland Ecuador’s coast.   The first ever International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference took place in Abu Dhabi! Science-based best practices in mangrove restoration were prioritized, emphasizing the shift from mass planting to community-led ecological mangrove restoration (CBEMR). Want to know more? Check out this Effective Mangrove Restoration video series created in collaboration with WI, GMA, MAP and CI. The first ever GMA Impact Stock Take gathered data from over 200 participants and over 50 GMA members. The data will guide our strategy development and help us showcase our members’ massive accomplishments. The GMA worked incredibly hard at fundraising this year, leading to two funding opportunity for GMA members that completed the stock take. We look forward to reviewing all of the amazing projects that our members put forth next year! Our members and partners are continually moving the needle on global mangrove protection and restoration. Interested in learning more about their work? Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media ( X and LinkedIn ).  There is a lot of work to be done and, here at the GMA, we are energized daily by the incredible work of our members, chapters, and global team. From the UN Ocean Conference in June to the IUCN World Conservation Congress in October, we look forward to fueling more radical collaboration to protect the world’s mangroves in 2025 and beyond.

Written by: Luz Gil, Climate and Ocean Advisor at the Nature Conservancy The ocean took center stage at COP29, highlighting incredible progress in driving climate action and building resilience. From innovative solutions to protect and restore vital ecosystems like mangroves to advancing ocean ambition in national climate plans, the events underscored the ocean’s essential role in achieving global climate goals. Ocean Day featured a series of engaging events, including panel discussions and high-level dialogues, showcasing the breadth of action underway to protect and sustain the ocean. These dynamic sessions demonstrated the power of collaboration to advance innovative ocean solutions, brought to life through the collective efforts of diverse partners.  A few event highlights include: Ocean Breakthroughs: Towards Resilient Economies and Societies Organized by the Ocean & Climate Platform on behalf of the Marrakech Partnership on Ocean & Coastal Zones and the High-Level Climate Champions, this session explored the ocean’s immense potential as a source of actionable solutions to address climate, biodiversity, social, and sustainable development goals by 2030. It also charted the path toward a healthy, productive, and resilient ocean by 2050. Additionally, the event highlighted progress on the Mangrove Breakthrough since its launch at COP27, underscoring the critical role of mangroves in driving climate action and resilience. Mangrove in NDCs: Scaling up Implementation for People, Climate and Nature – A critical discussion on embedding mangrove conservation and restoration into national climate commitments. Organized by The Pew Charitable Trusts, FAO, the Mangrove Breakthrough NDC Task Force, the High-Level Climate Champions Team, and the Global Mangrove Alliance, this event emphasized the critical role of including mangrove-positive targets in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It showcased how these targets can serve as powerful catalysts to drive action, unlock finance for mangrove conservation and restoration, and amplify contributions to climate mitigation efforts. Achieving the Mangrove Breakthrough: Scaling Global Action on Mangrove Restoration and Protection This joint event, hosted by the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) and the Mangrove Breakthrough, built on the momentum from COP28 to highlight progress in key partnerships and initiatives driving action for mangrove conservation and restoration. As a transformative effort at the intersection of conservation, science, finance, and policy, the Mangrove Breakthrough continues to advance impactful solutions for mangrove ecosystems worldwide.munity members and local governments can begin the  process of restoration , particularly of the abandoned rice fields affected by illegal logging. Invasive climbers are weeded out and where propagules are not abundant, enrichment planting is undertaken. These kinds of restoration methods often allow for natural regeneration of the mangrove forest. The Implementation Lab – Ocean Breakthroughs for 1.5°C: Scaling Ambition in NDCs Organized by Ocean Conservancy, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Nature Conservancy, Ocean & Climate Platform, FAO, EDF, and the Climate Champions Team, this Implementation Lab focused on the role of NDCs in advancing ocean climate action. The session explored strategies to integrate ambitious ocean-based solutions that align with the 1.5°C target. Participants discussed key challenges and actions required to accelerate the Ocean Breakthroughs, ensuring that the next round of NDCs includes bold, impactful, and equitable commitments for the ocean. As the world faces the growing impacts of climate change, the momentum generated at COP29 reinforces that protecting the ocean is not only an environmental imperative but also a foundation for building a sustainable and resilient future for all.

Global Mangrove Watch User Story “Before using Global Mangrove Watch (GMW) alerts, we spent lots of resources attempting to verify information about mangrove loss. The delta is vast, so we can’t cover the entire forest at once. Sometimes we would travel for hours only to find no cause for concern. Now, with GMW, we have much more faith in the loss alerts, saving us both time and money.” - John Gwau, Officer, Tanzania Forest Services Tanzania hosts East Africa’s largest mangrove forest , spanning 53,255 hectares, in the Rufiji Delta. The mangrove ecosystem here is a vital habitat for important wildlife, including at least  437 bird species,  fish such as snappers and groupers, large animals like crocodiles and hippos, and crustaceans like crabs and shrimps. The mangroves are, in fact,  responsible for 80% of Tanzania’s annual prawn harvest . But this ecosystem is not just critical to biodiversity. As all mangroves globally do, Tanzania’s mangroves shield its coast from tropical storms and coastal flooding, providing a vital line of defence against shoreline erosion. The Rufiji Delta and its surrounding landscape is also the primary national hotspot for blue carbon storage, making this area crucial to climate mitigation as well as adaptation. Despite these benefits, the mangroves are continually degraded at alarming rates, exposing coastal communities and biodiversity to adverse climate change impacts. While at least 60% (>57,000 ha) of all mangroves in Tanzania are within protected areas, including the Rufiji Delta Mangrove Forest Reserve,  Tanzanian mangroves decreased by 5.6%  (6,608 ha) between 1996 and 2020. The main driver of loss in the Rufiji Delta has been conversion to rice farming, where there is an influx of freshwater from the Rufiji River. After four or five seasons, these farms are abandoned, and others are established. Tanzania’s mangrove cover 1996-2020 (The State of Mangroves in the Western Indian Ocean, 2022) Forest rangers from Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) and village natural resource committee (VNRC) members make frequent patrols to monitor the status of mangroves in the Rufiji Delta, noting areas that experience drastic loss and/or degradation, and to try to halt the expansion of rice farms in the Delta to take the pressure off the remaining mangroves. These patrollers rely primarily on tip-offs from concerned citizens and fisherfolk, who visit the mangroves as part of their daily routines. A big challenge has been verifying such alerts before site visits, where, in some instances, no substantial disturbances warrant concerns, resulting in unnecessary costs that strain the already limited resources required for patrols. But things have changed now with the advent of Global Mangrove Watch alerts. Global Mangrove Watch  (GMW) is an online platform that gives near real-time information on where and what changes there are to mangroves across the world. With hi-res information on topography, soil conditions and hydrology, GMW gives the evidence needed to respond to illegal practices, pinpoint the causes of local mangrove loss and track restoration progress. GMW now publishes monthly loss alerts with over 90% accuracy, showing that pristine mangrove areas in the Rufiji Delta continue to be converted into rice farms. A. Degraded sites identified by VNRC members B. Degradation hotspots from GMW alerts To make best use of GMW in the Rufiji Delta, Wetlands International trained 25 participants, comprising Tanzania Forest Service officers and village natural resource committee members on using the change alerts functionality. These alerts have provided relief to the monitoring teams, who now are more confident about site visits from disturbances verified using this remote sensing technology. Once a loss has been determined, community members and local governments can begin the  process of restoration , particularly of the abandoned rice fields affected by illegal logging. Invasive climbers are weeded out and where propagules are not abundant, enrichment planting is undertaken. These kinds of restoration methods often allow for natural regeneration of the mangrove forest. Village natural resource committee (VNRC) members navigating to points generated from alerts in GMW, Wetlands International Wetlands International has also supported alternative livelihood initiatives in the delta such as beekeeping, poultry farming, and the making of tie-and-dye clothing materials. We have piloted sustainable rice farming plots outside the mangrove area on abandoned land and following dialogues with farmers and other local stakeholders, the Kibiti District Council has allocated farmers land outside mangrove areas. Participants of the GMW training workshop in Rufiji Delta, Wetlands International With the new GMW alert functionality, mangrove loss can therefore be determined with greater accuracy, and steps can be taken to restore the degraded ecosystem with haste, saving time and money. This work is implemented by Wetlands International through the Mangrove Capital Africa programme and through Save Our Mangroves Now in collaboration with WWF and IUCN.

The months leading up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP28, due in December in Dubai, are crucial for rallying government, philanthropy, and private sector efforts towards achieving the Mangrove Breakthrough’s ambitious goal to accelerate action and investments for “securing the future of over 15 million hectares of mangroves globally by 2030”. Wetlands International, reports back from the New York Climate Week in September, which was one of the milestone event for building momentum for the Mangrove Breakthrough on the road to COP28. The  Mangrove Breakthrough is an initiative led jointly by governments, NGOs, and financiers, aiming to create a step change in action for mangroves, unlocking USD 4 billion and securing the future of 15 million hectares of mangrove forests by 2030. Launched at UNFCCC COP27, the Mangrove Breakthrough is part of the UNFCCC’s 2030 Breakthrough Agenda  and building on the work by the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) of which Wetlands International is one of the initiating and Steering Committee partners. In New York,  the United Arab Emirates  (UAE), the host-country of COP28 in Dubai, announced that they endorse the Mangrove Breakthrough. They also revealed to host a  Mangroves Ministerial  during  COP28’s Nature, Oceans and Land Use Day on 9 December, together with the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), the Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA) and the High-Level Climate Champions, to elevate these critical ecosystems on the global climate agenda. This event will focus on accelerating finance, policy and technology to enable the Mangrove Breakthrough. HE Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment said “ The Mangrove Breakthrough represents a significant stride towards reducing carbon emissions and preserving our planet’s natural treasures,”.  She called on all countries to support the initiative, including the members of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), which is spearheaded by the UAE in partnership with Indonesia, so that the initiatives are complementing each other in achieving the Mangrove Breakthrough’s goal of securing 15 million hectares by 2030. Pieter van Eijk, Head Coasts & Deltas at Wetlands International:  “The Ministerial will be part of a series of Mangrove Breakthrough events at COP in which we will amongst others present a financial roadmap and introduce on the ground initiatives implemented with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and others. We will also present important tools, including the  Global Mangrove Watch , the  Mangrove Restoration Tracker Tool  and the upcoming Best Practice Mangrove Restoration guidelines. We will seek to drive best-in-class approaches, moving away from single-sided mass treeplanting towards inclusive rehabilitation approaches that involve local stakeholders and build on the scientific insights.”  Also  Costa Rica  endorsed the Mangrove Breakthrough in New York during a mangrove workshop organised by the Mangrove Alliance for Climate. H.E. Franz Tattenbach Capra, Costa Rica’s Minister of Environment who made the announcement said  “We have to commit to action with the best of science that we have, speed matters!”  He also said that Costa Rica will come to COP28 with a concrete mangrove plan.” The United Kingdom  was the first government to join the Mangrove Breakthrough at the launch, already at COP27, and recently  Sierra Leone  and the  Rio de Janeiro government  signed on. In New York, the UK announced a package of measures to address pressing challenges such as biodiversity loss, marine protection and climate change. As part of this, they reconfirmed their commitment to the Mangrove Breakthrough, highlighting the UK’s recognition of the vital role mangrove ecosystems play in carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. Thérèse Coffey, Environment Secretary, United Kingdom said:  “I cannot speak at any event without mentioning mangroves. We are endorsing the Mangrove Breakthrough. Our announcements will help to tackle biodiversity loss at sea and on land, and I urge more nations to join us as we drive forward progress on this global mission ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.” Cristián Samper, Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions at the  Bezos Earth Fund , highlighted that Bezos is supporting the Mangrove Breakthrough. He underlined:  “the goal is not to protect 30% of the mangroves of the world, in line with the 30 by 30 commitments, but to ensure long-term protection of remaining mangroves is increased from 40% to 80%. It is time to step up our ambitions and we’re delighted and very proud to be part of this journey.”  Race to Zero member,  Salesforce , in partnership with the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), also announced its support for the Mangrove Breakthrough as part of a $8.3 million grant towards climate justice and nature-based solutions. The support for the Mangrove Breakthrough is a keystone in Salesforce’s climate finance strategy. Naomi Morenzoni, SVP of Climate & Innovation Philanthropy at Salesforce, commented:  “We are investing in climate justice and nature-based solutions. From restoring mangroves to empowering ecopreneurs, we’re dedicated to addressing climate change’s most pressing challenges, making a tangible impact on our planet and communities.” In New York, Mangrove Breakthrough partners, Bezos Earth Fund and Salesforce organized a Breakthrough Activation roundtable lunch for Philanthropy & Grantmakers to discuss the vision for the new Financial Roadmap  to achieve the Mangrove Breakthrough, as well as insights about the current and future pipeline of high-quality locally-led mangrove protection and restoration projects. To date, the initiative is endorsed by more than 40 partners. Governments can join the Mangrove Breakthrough by signing the  Mangrove Breakthrough Declaration  and can showcase their endorsement and commitments at a high-level event at COP28. Please indicate your interest in joining by contacting Luz Gil at  luz.gil@tnc.org  or Carlos Correae at  carlosecorreae@gmail.com .  Earlier this year, the Mangrove Breakthrough brought together over fifty policymakers, experts, practitioners and the private sector in Abu Dhabi, during a technical workshop organised by the GMA, the UN High Level Champions, the UAE, the MAC, and others to develop a collective roadmap to reach the targets of the Breakthrough. This was followed by a  webinar  in August which highlighted key takeaways from the discussions, and critical actions and convenings on the road to COP28 and beyond. You can find more information about the Mangrove Breakthrough through the  High Level Champions Breakthrough agenda  and the  Global Mangrove Alliance.

Decades of Mangrove Forest Change The Global Mangrove Watch was the key source of data used by the UNEP-WCMC for their special report , Decades of Mangrove Forest Change: What does it mean for nature, people and the climate? , exploring changes in mangrove cover to highlight the urgent need to better understand our “blue ecosystems”. These blue ecosystems, which include mangroves, are threatened by rising temperatures, pollution, over-exploitation and coastal development, yet they provide water, food and livelihoods to millions of people while helping to reduce the magnitude and impacts of climate change. Read more  here .

How Kenya's mangrove mothers restoration efforts benefit nature and people. After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and mostly virtual meetings, the ocean community is finally coming together again this week in Lisbon at the UN Ocean Conference. The goal: work towards the achievement of SDG 14, assess progress made through voluntary commitments, elevate solutions, and initiate new partnerships. A good stage to hear the voices of local communities, those who often are the first affected by rising sea levels, decline of fish stocks and pollution. "Us, who live close to mangroves, rely on fishing. Our fathers, our husbands, our brothers are fishermen and those fish breed in the mangroves. It's our main source of income”, describes Zulfa Hassan, the 35-year-old mother of four, who is known locally in her community as “Mama Mikoko” (or “Mother Mangrove”). © Kent Andreasen / WWF “But there was a time when the mangroves we planted were destroyed by overconsumption. The revenue decreased as the fish disappeared. Then we started planting again and saw the regrowth – the crabs are found in large numbers and the fish have also returned.” The petite woman speaks with confidence when she recounts the progresses and challenges of her work in the Mtangawanda Mangrove Restoration Women Group. She is proud of the title “Mama Mikoko” and of the successes they have achieved ever since they started planting the first hatchlings in 2018 . “In the beginning we faced many challenges. In our culture, Muslim women were not allowed to work. Men used to ridicule us. But mangrove conservation helped us. Some women started small business, selling fish, juices, and other food. Now everyone wants to join us because they have seen the fruits.” Mangroves provide nature-based solutions to many worldwide challenges. Mama Mikoko and her women are a successful example of restoration and conservation done right to benefit nature and the community. But we will need many more of those examples if we want to succeed in tackling the biggest environmental challenges of this century – the rapid decline of biodiversity, acidification of the ocean or the steady rise of temperature and sea levels. This week, governments, scientists, businesses, and activists and civil society come together at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon to mobilize ocean action and create and invest in solutions. A special focus lies on harnessing nature-based solutions including mangroves, salt marsh and seagrass that have been historically known to have major mitigation potential. A week of panels and discussions, voluntary commitments and calls to action. But in order to deliver real and lasting change, we need to Listen to the local voices Increase funding Accelerate needs- and science-based action Make sure that voluntary commitments and announcements are followed up with implementation To Mama Mikoko, the road to proceed is quite clear. © Kent Andreasen / WWF “I would like to advise the government to hold our hands and help us. To create laws that will regulate the use of mangroves, so that people don´t destroy them. We must help each other; walk side by side!” With special thanks to The Nature Conservancy and Northern Rangelands Trust-Marine Program .

From policy to community action. Written By: Isabel Ramos, IUCN Mozambique  Mozambique’s government has prioritized its mangrove and coastal areas in policy through its National Mangrove Strategy.  The strategy has already resulted in the more effective management—and additional mobilization—of resources that support the protection and restoration of mangrove communities. The whole approach is based on linking government policy to robust scientific data and statistics—on factors like population dynamics, climate events and impacts. Stakeholder groups and government officials have been able to identify and discuss the challenges and opportunities of mangrove conservation in an integrated manner. The Save Our Mangroves Now initiative and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have provided support. Legislative action so far has included influencing the National Marine Spatial Plan to refer to mangrove areas as protected zones.

Excerpt from State of the World's Mangroves Written By: Leo Thom, Mangrove Action Project   Villagers in Nai Nang, Southern Thailand, have been reintroducing native bees back into their mangroves to encourage pollination and promote biodiversity. The Nai Nang Apiculture Group has been stepping up its conservation efforts with four species of stingless bees that are native to that region of the Andaman Coast. The bees are vital to the health of the mangroves, which are insect pollinated. Meanwhile, the village benefits from the alternative sustainable livelihood the honey products provide.

Written By: Indigo Janka, Wetlands International  Students at several primary and secondary schools in the Saloum Delta, Senegal, are connecting with their surrounding natural habitats through mangrove clubs. Activities such as bird counting and creating school gardens are helping the young students get closer to topics like bird migration, biodiversity, and salination of the soil. Last year, one of the clubs joined the first annual bird count of Senegal, leaving both students and teachers impressed. As Madame Senghor, a teacher at Dianco Mané primary school in Dassilamé, Senegal, enthused: ‘This educational outing is the best way to connect students with nature and birds. Students, and even teachers have a better understanding of the importance of the annual waterbird count.’

Community organized governance model has led to better management. Faced with the degradation of mangroves, the impact of extreme climatic events and the excessive extraction of natural resources, communities in the western part of this Central American country organized themselves under a unique governance model, which has been highlighted at international level. Written by Evelyn Vargas | IUCN San Salvador, July 26, 2020 (IUCN). The Barra de Santiago Complex, located in the Pacific Coast of El Salvador, has the largest extension of mangroves in the country. In this internationally important wetland, a RAMSAR site since 2014, the local communities make use of the mangrove ecosystem under the figure of Local Sustainable Harvest Plans (PLAS as in Spanish). Traditionally, the coastal communities of Barra de Santiago have depended upon the resources from the mangrove for their livelihoods, including fuelwood, timber, fisheries and two crustacean species, the blue crab ( Cardisoma crassum) and the punche crab ( Ucides occidentalis), of high food and commercial value.   The degradation of the mangroves in El Salvador, estimated to be more than 50% according to the Fifth National Report for the Convention of Biological Diversity, caused both by the impact from different climatic phenomena as well as the excessive extraction of resources from this ecosystem, severely threatened the blue crab populations. In 2006, due to the decline of fish and the blue crab populations, as documented by the Ministry of Environment (MARN) in El Salvador, approximately twenty families from the Island of La Chácara, located in Barra de Santiago, began a governance process to organize the extraction of mangrove resources in a sustainable manner. As a result of the success achieved by the families from La Chácara who recovered their blue crab populations and were able to increase their income from the sale of the species, the neighboring communities decided to organize themselves to replicate this harvest model, leading to the creation of the PLAS groups in seven communities in Barra de Santiago. @ UICN / Evelyn Vargas The organized communities advanced to another level of governance when they formed the Probosque Association, an organization that includes a total of 127 people, eleven of whom are women, which represents all of the community groups managing the mangroves under the PLAS model. Through the Probosque Association, these communities organize their activities for the protection of the mangroves, among those, which include daily surveillance actions, the creation of seasonal closure periods, reforestation campaigns, maintenance of internal canals, waste collection campaigns, definition of family quotas for extraction, and even species relocation after extreme weather events. Since 2018, the Probosque Association counts on support from the Regional Coastal Biodiversity Project to strengthen their livelihoods, through the generation of alternative productive economic activities in biocommerce, including the production of honey from mangrove forest, with the goal of reducing pressure on the mangrove ecosystem. The incursion into beekeeping allows community members to diversify their income sources during the periods of seasonal closures for the blue crab. These honey production enterprises benefit 50 coastal families who have found this activity an alternative to generate employment and economic income. “ When we began we knew nothing of bees, we were afraid, we only lived from crabs, and we waited up to six months to earn money.  This project has been a blessing! We changed our way of thinking, no longer just thinking about extracting crabs, but also to find another option in honey production” says José Francisco Pineda, beekeeper and member of the Probosque Association @ IUCN / Evelyn Vargas The Regional Coastal Biodiversity Project is an initiative led by the IUCN in consortium with GOAL International and four local partners who are members of the IUCN, work for the conservation and the sustainable use of the biodiversity in coastal marine ecosystems in Central America, through the development of productive initiatives of value that foster roots and strengthen the capacity for local self-management, and is in implementation thanks to the cooperation of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

A black plague of oil is contaminating the mangroves. A major environmental disaster is currently ongoing on the Indian Ocean island country. By Katja Graf | WWF-Germany and Save Our Mangroves Now! T he Japanese freighter ‘MV Wakashio’ ran aground on Mauritius’ coral reefs on Sunday 25 July .  It remained stuck and started breaking apart 13 days later on Thursday 6 August , releasing 1000 of its estimated 4000 tons of heavy bunker fuel into the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean as a large gash opened on the side of the vessel. The location of the grounding is close to two internationally protected UNESCO Ramsar wetland sites along the main island’s coastal areas south of the bay of Mahebourg: the Blue Bay Marine Park,  a critical  Ramsar site designated in 2008 and known for its exceptional coral diversity, and the Pointe d’Esny wetland. The marine park is a complex habitat with coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass, lagoons, estuaries, and beaches. Also under threat is a small coral atoll off the coast of the bay of Mahebourg, Ile Aux Aigrettes , that has been set aside from human residence in order to recover Mauritius’ rich and unique biodiversity. With the Wakashio, it is not the cargo but the fuel that contaminates the coast. Like almost all merchant ships, the Japanese ship had bunkered (stored) heavy oil as fuel. The fuel is a cheap and particularly dirty sulphurous blend that requires disposal as hazardous waste when on land. In contrast to diesel, heavy oil is far less volatile, i.e. the greasy mixture does not evaporate and the full toxic load is released into the marine environment. © Eric Villars / AP The composition of the different coasts will also determine how easy it will be to clean-up the oil. While sandy beaches are comparatively easy to clean by removing the soil, mangroves and protected freshwater areas are much more challenging to clean and are also at risk in Mauritius. Mangrove forests are characterized by a particularly high species diversity, both in the trees and in the surrounding soil and water, so oil can be extremely damaging. Mangroves are highly dependent on their branching roots to take in gasses and nutrients that the trees need to live and breathe but oil literally blocks out air the mangroves need by coating roots, sticking them together and suffocating the plants. This causes many young fish to lose their vital protective “nursery” habitat. Mussels, worms and snails live in the silt of the mangrove forests and through burrowing, carry the oil into deeper layers of soil. In this deep soil of mangrove forests, there is minimal to no oxygen. When oil reaches that depth, microorganisms that need oxygen to break down oil, can’t do so. This means that the oil remains to poison animals and plants for many years. It is therefore no exaggeration to speak of the worst environmental disaster in the history of the country. The sinking of the freighter hit not only nature but also the people who live from fishing and tourism. By losing intact mangrove ecosystems through this disaster, the people of Mauritius also lose an important protective barrier against storms and floods. WWF Madagascar Country Director, Nanie Ratsifandrihamanana reports:   “This oil spill is a severe threat to critical ecological resources, including coral reefs, fish, and other coastal and marine life of the southeast coast of Mauritius. In addition to the negative environmental impact on coastal and marine life, the oil spill may affect about 2,300 artisanal fishermen and women and the 1.5% of Mauritius’ GDP derived from the fishing industry. WWF calls on regional cooperation in enhancing the development of blue economy strategies and interventions that will help realize sustainable development.” The country can use any help, but it may already too late to protect some areas. For Mauritius, the main goal is to limit the consequences of the disaster as much as possible. International aid and technical assistance from abroad can contribute to this. The UN and France, whose navy is stationed on the neighboring island of Reunión, have offered assistance. Even more crucial, however, is to ensure that disasters such as this one do not happen again, given the continuing growth in shipping traffic. 4,000 tons is a lot, even small quantities can cause considerable damage, but it is only a fraction of what big tankers load. They often transport 100,000 tons across the oceans! Questions are being asked about how this happened, could it have been prevented, and more importantly what steps should now be taken to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring anywhere else in the world. The most important takeaway should be to prioritize people and planet, above polluting fossil fuels. A ban on the particularly poisonous heavy oil would be an important step. In addition, increased safety standards must be introduced in particularly sensitive regions, such as the stationing emergency crews who–unlike the current spill–can intervene quickly, satellite-based monitoring of traffic, and compulsory pilotage on sensitive routes. Update on 13 August: Most fuel oil that had remained in the ship has now been successfully pumped out. However, oil that had already leaked out into the ecosystem will need extensive effort to clean-up and the ship will still inevitably break up into the local waters of Mauritius.

The newly issued report thoroughly evaluates situations and conservation actions regarding mangroves in China. Study shows that converting aquaculture ponds into mangroves is a promising measure for restoring mangroves in China. June 8th, 2020 was the 12th World Oceans Day. China designated the theme of this year’s festival as “Protect the mangroves, Protect the ocean.” Under the guidance of the Wetland Management Department of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), the Paulson Institute, Lao Niu Foundation, and Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation (MCF) jointly issued the Report of China Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Strategy Research Project. This is China’s first research report to comprehensively assess the state of mangroves, reviewing the status and problems of the conservation, restoration, management, and utilization of mangroves. It also put forward practical suggestions to promote the formation and implementation of China’s national strategy for mangrove conservation. © MCF The conference was held in Shenzhen Futian Mangrove Ecological Park, which has been operated and managed by MCF since 2015 and was commissioned by the Futian government. The conference was live broadcasted online to over 200,000 people, including scholars of mangrove research and staff of related government departments, reserves, and NGOs. The report points out that the structure and function of mangrove ecosystems in China are generally stable, but the degradation in some areas is significant. It also takes the latest situation and characteristics of mangrove protection and restoration, both domestically and globally, into consideration. According to the distribution and protection status of mangroves in China, the report analyzes the degree of mangrove degradation and its primary causes, and evaluates the inadequacies of current mangrove conservation and management, with a particular focus on the mangrove restoration model based on tidal flat afforestation and artificial restoration, as well as the problems with domestic mangrove afforestation standards. The main battlefield of mangrove restoration in China should be "converting ponds to forests" and relevant research should be conducted. Professor Wang Wenqing, the leader of the project team and the deputy dean of the School of Environment and Ecology at Xiamen University, presented the main conclusions and recommendations of this report at the conference. He emphasized that the main purpose of mangrove restoration should be restoring the structural integrity of the entire mangrove ecosystem and its service functions, rather than simply seeking to increase mangrove area. Mangrove lodging is resulting from changes in hydrodynamic conditions. ©Wang Wenqing China’s mangrove wetlands are regulated by several government departments with the Wetlands Management Department of NFGA being responsible for the overall plan for the protection and restoration of mangroves. Since 2000, the Chinese government has attached great importance to mangrove conservation and has implemented several national projects for the protection and restoration of mangrove wetlands. Bao Daming, Deputy Director of the Wetlands Management Department, participated in the conference and said: “China has made certain achievements in protection and restoration of mangroves, and has become one of the few countries in the world where the area of mangrove wetlands is growing.” At present, there are 52 natural protection areas of mangroves in China, covering over 55% of the mangroves all over the country. It is a particularly important part of the coastal wetland conservation. However, there are some difficulties in mangrove protection and restoration, such as prominent contradiction between protection and development, insufficient capital investment, and difficulty in afforestation, which affects the process of mangrove protection to some extent. It is expected that the research and publication of this report will provide advice and scientific support for the national mangrove restoration program and guide our mangrove conservation work in the future. Learn more about this report and China’s conservation efforts on the Shenzhen Mangrove Wetland Conservation Foundation’s website  and connect with them on Facebook. Written by Wu Jinhong of the Shenzhen Mangrove Wetlands Conservation Foundation (MCF)