Organization description:
Founded in 1992, The Mangrove Action Project is dedicated to reversing the degradation of mangrove forest ecosystems worldwide. Its central tenet is to promote the rights of local coastal peoples, including fishers and farmers, in the sustainable management of coastal environs.
The Mangrove Action Project (MAP) provides four essential services to grassroots associations and other proponents of mangrove conservation:
1) It coordinates a unique international NGO network and information clearinghouse on mangrove forests
2) It promotes public awareness of mangrove forest issues;
3) It develops technical and financial support for NGO projects, including mangrove restoration and promotion of Community-Based Coastal Resource Management initiatives, and;
4) MAP helps publicize within the developed nations the basic needs and struggles of Third World coastal fishing and farming communities affected by the consumer demands of the wealthy nations. (This we do through our biweekly news bulletins, action alerts, and published articles, as well as planned public forums and presentations.)
Description of the problem:
Mangrove forests are disappearing at an alarming rate—lost to unsustainable developments such as shrimp farming, tourism and other fast encroaching industries. Less than half the original mangrove forests remain, and the current annual rate of loss of from 1-2 percent of the remaining 15 million hectares of mangroves is a great concern for all because mangroves are vital for the health and stability of the oceans and marine life.
Mangrove forests play an essential role in protecting coastal areas from storm surges, tsunamis and hurricanes. Mangroves are also important as fish nurseries and prevent shoreline erosion, thus protecting coral reefs and sea grass beds from sedimentation. Mangroves offer a rich source of detritus as an essential part of the ocean food chain, as well as providing important wood products, fruits and medicines.
Mangroves are vital for preserving the traditional cultures of millions of coastal fishers and farmers who depend on mangroves for their lives and livelihoods. Mangrove loss represents a direct threat to coastal health and marine life. Also, mangrove loss opens up the coastline to the dangerous forces of nature as evidenced by the Dec. 26th tsunamis, which killed around 300,000 people.
Description of the project/solution:
Mangrove Action Project is partnering with mangrove forest communities, grassroots NGOs, researchers and local governments to conserve and restore mangrove forests and related coastal ecosystems, while promoting community-based, sustainable management of coastal resources. MAP is joining others in a concerted effort to restore a portion of the 16-18 million ha of mangrove forests that have already been lost. MAP will also promote the rights of local communities to sustainably manage their coastal resource base.
