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Thursday, April 30, 2015

MAP News Issue 363, May 2. 2015

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The MAP News
363rd Edition                                May 2, 2015


FEATURE STORY

Innovative project helps women conserve mangroves
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CAMEROON - About 400 women in Cameroon’s coastal zones are contributing to environmental conservation by smoking fish with fish scales and kitchen waste as alternatives to using wood from mangrove forests. In Cameroon, mangrove forests — made up of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs found between small streams and the sea — are in danger of becoming extinct because of the tendency of women to harvest them for smoking fish. “Since 2009 when we got in contact with Organisation pour l’Environnement et le Développement Durable (OPED), we learnt to smoke fish using fish scales and kitchen waste, [which add] add local aroma and the result is an even better colour and taste,”says one of the beneficiaries, Wendi Eko, a fish smoker in Kribi, Cameroon.  “Before then we used mangrove wood to smoke fish because we obtained a good colouration and better taste than wood from tall trees of the dryland.” READ MORE

AFRICA
 
Mangroves battling after Mobeni oil leak
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SOUTH AFRICA - Delicate ecosystems affected by a fire that ripped through a cooking oil refinery in Mobeni last month are struggling to recover. Mangroves in the Bayhead area, spanning about 15ha and home to numerous land and aquatic species, were hard hit by the fire and resultant oil leak. The fire – which raged for six hours and was possibly caused by an electrical fault – started at 4am at Africa Sun Oil Refineries, which produces cooking oil, beauty and laundry soap and margarine.  Reaching temperatures of 1 300°C, the blaze ruptured one of the pipes, causing the unprocessed oil to leak into the canals nearby and end up in the mangroves. The company has not disclosed how much oil leaked into the ecosystem, and the site – being investigated by the Department of Labour – has still not been released back to the company. READ MORE
 
ASIA
 
World Earth Day: Environmental Education and Community Development Camp
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THAILAND - In celebration of World Earth Day on the 22nd of April 2015, MAP Asia held a two and a half day environmental education and community development camp in Bang Kang Kao community, Trang province one of the GNF (Global Nature Fund) sites between the 20th and 22nd of April. This camp involved around 20 facilitators including staff from MAP, members of the community, and student volunteers from Surat Thani Rajabhat University and staff from the Bang Kang Kao School. The objective of this camp was two fold; provide the Bang Kang Khao School with mangrove awareness display exhibits and expand the environmental education knowledge of of 21 students in years four and five, with a focus on mangrove ecosystems. READ MORE

Rampant mining damaging one of China's largest mangroves - and authorities 'turning blind eye'
CHINA – Illegal "rampant quarrying" has damaged one of mainland China's largest mangrove reserves in southern west Guangxi autonomous region say villagers, who accuse local authorities of "receiving benefits in return for turning a blind eye". Nineteen huge open limestone pits - some up to 40 metres deep and stretching over an area of more than 1,300 square metres - have been dug in the mangrove forests and tidal flats of Hepu county where locals once farmed shrimps and crabs. The mining had caused ecological damage, and air and noise pollution, The Beijing News reported. A villager in Dushan told the Sunday Morning Post that quarrying in the area - which comes under the administration of coastal Beihai city - had been going on for about a decade, but intensified in recent years. READ MORE
 
Note from the Exec. Dir. - Discovering slave labor aboard fishing boats coming so close to Earth Day should be a wake up call to all who are so drowsy as to not see the problem runs deeper than slave ships plying the waters of SE Asia to put food on the plates of wealthy importing nations, who can afford the higher prices for their imported seafood. Butt in the long run, can humanity afford the price of such deep rooted wrongs? All of these issues from human rights abuse, food insecurity, climate change and countless wars and engendered violence point to a civilization seriously needing to reflect upon itself. Where humankind is not so kind and the food we consume is poisoned by chemicals, blood and slavery, by the end of the day, our means to our ends will determine our end.   Perhaps, it's time to question where our diets are bound to, and make sure they are not food chains of slavery. Alfredo Q.
Associated Press links slave fishing labor to Thai Union, prominent U.S. firms
THAILAND - The Associated Press (AP) on Tuesday linked seafood products harvested by slave laborers on fishing boats in Indonesia to major seafood companies around the world, including Thai Union Frozen Products (TUF), Thailand’s largest seafood corporation and one of the largest in the world. Its article, titled “Are slaves catching the fish you buy?” details oppressive living and working conditions for laborers, mostly from Myanmar, one of the world’s poorest nations, on fishing boats and in isolated locations in Indonesia. Those considered flight risks are often locked up as prisoners. The AP then linked the products the workers harvested to major international and U.S. seafood companies like TUF, California distributor Santa Monica Seafood, Stavis Seafoods in Boston and retail giants like Walmart, Kroger and Safeway and foodservice distributor Sysco. READ MORE
 
Mangrove cell, MSEB see red over destruction of greens in Airoli
INDIA – Hundreds mangrove trees on a five-acre plot near the Airoli Kalba complex get destroyed, but no one knows who did it. While the Maharashtra state mangrove cell officials, who visited the site on Friday, claimed the trees were hacked for construction of an electricity tower undertaken by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB), the latter has denied the allegations. HT had reported how more than 100 mangrove trees in sector 20 were felled, in a breach of the 2005 high court order that bans destruction of mangrove forests across the state, and also within 50m of the vegetation. “The trees have been hacked with the Centre’s permission to make way for high-tension transmission lines passing through the area and a new tower that is coming up,” said N Vasudevan, chief conservator of forests of the mangrove cell. READ MORE

Shrimpers get crabby about EMS, low prices
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THAILAND - Shrimp farmers are calling for urgent aid measures to ease their plight caused by the double blow of early mortality syndrome (EMS) and falling prices. Representatives of 3,000 small shrimp farms, hatchery operators, processing factories and related industries led by Banchong Nisapavanich, chairman of the Thai Shrimp Farmers Federation, and Somsak Paneetatyasai, president of the Thai Shrimp Association , filed a request letter yesterday with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. They have asked his administration to help stabilise the local white shrimp or vannamei prices, ease financial liquidity for exporters, tackle the early mortality syndrome, and list shrimp on the national agenda, meaning the industry is worthy of special treatment and care from authorities. The coalition also called on the government to work out measures to control the appreciation of the baht in order to increase Thai shippers export competitiveness. READ MORE
 
AMERICAS
 
Jean Wiener - Islands and Island Nations 2015 Goldman Prize Recipient
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HAITI - In a country plagued by extreme poverty and political instability, Jean Wiener led community efforts to establish the nation’s first Marine Protected Areas by empowering Haitians to see the long-term value in sustainably managing fisheries and mangrove forests. Haiti is home to an incredibly diverse array of marine life, housed in mangrove forests and coastal reefs. It is also the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 80 percent of the population living in poverty. Natural disasters and political instability have further hampered the nation’s ability to create meaningful economic opportunities for its citizens. Driven by extreme poverty, many Haitians have resorted to overfishing. Fish stocks have been further decimated as locals cut down mangrove trees—key habitat for young fish—to illegally make and sell charcoal. Others have turned to harvesting coral reefs, which also provide protection and shelter for fish, for construction material such as rocks and lime. READ MORE
 
Manifesto of Earth Day REDMANGLAR
HONDURAS - In the present context there is little to celebrate, the rate of destruction of our natural systems accelerated from just over 50 years, as in any other period of humanity. Although more and more information about current and future effects of climate change worldwide have not taken steps to stop burning fossil fuels measures, the main source of CO2 production. Nor has effort managed to effectively reduce deforestation and loss of forests and woodlands. The loss of forests continues at an alarming rate, even organizations like FAO, indicate that the "reduction of forest land use caused by deforestation over a period of 20 years, is offset by the increase in forest area." What it does not say is that often is considered within this increase in forest area, large monoculture tree plantations or oil palm, responsible for deforestation in many countries, loss of biodiversity and indigenous territories. READ MORE
 
Test finds 60% of raw shrimp tainted with bacteria, including superbug MRSA
USA - If you’re one of many people who eat shrimp regularly, this may give you pause: A new study by Consumer Reports found that 60% of the raw shrimp that it tested was tainted with bacteria, including some with a dangerous, drug-resistant strain. Most shrimp is farmed in exporting countries like Thailand, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia, which provide 94% of the US supply. And conditions are pretty gross: If ponds aren’t properly managed, “a sludge of fecal matter, chemicals and excess food can build up and decay,” Consumer Reports said in its study, “How Safe is Your Shrimp?” Shrimp are often given heavy doses of antibiotics to ward off bacteria and algae that thrive in their crowded tanks and ponds. READ MORE
 
EUROPE
 
MAGROVES – An Asset to Treasure
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FRANCE - The   CNRS (Centre National  de la Recherche Scientifique,  National Center for Scientific Research) and IRD ( Institut de Recherche pour le développement,  Institute for Research and Development), two of the most important  French  Research Institutes, have decreed the year 2015 as "Mangrove's Year". Within the framework of this Mangrove's Year, different actions are underway or planned: specific research programs, workshops, scientific papers, and also articles aimed at the general public, photographic exhibitions, etc..  Research teams are studying mangroves across the globe to explore the crucial role these ecosystems play for the well-being of local populations and the planet. READ MORE

LAST WORD(S)

 Hello All,
 
It is with real sadness that I have to say that my time is over here in Thailand. One month really has not been enough!
 
A huge thank you for the opportunity to work with a great organisation, I have learned so much and made lifetime memories. I have been inspired by the hard work that everyone puts in to make this work so successful.  I hope that I can cross paths with many of you in the future and be back in Thailand to visit again very soon.
 
Thanks again,
--
Emily Godfrey
MAP-Asia Office Development & Field Project Assistant (Intern)



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Email submissions to news@mangroveactionproject.org

Action Alerts:

No trans shipping Port Portland Bight Protected Area, Jamaica SIGN OUR PETITION

Volunteer Opportunities with Mangrove Action Project CLICK HERE
 
STOP PLANTING MANGROVES ON SEAGRASS BEDS _ A CALL TO ACTION
 
Introducing the “refreshed” Blue Planet Links website, a go-to resource for teachers, students, and the interested public as they navigate the web for useful material about water.
 
What is CBEMR? Easy to follow fact sheet – CLICK HERE

Want to learn more about mangroves?

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Our short presentation will give you a better understanding of the issues we are working to solve. WATCH PRESENTATION

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CLICK HERE to watch short introductory video. Together we can work "at the roots of the sea".

Join us in saving our beautiful country!
We hope you have been following the ongoing battle in Bimini, Bahamas.
We are in need of your help more than ever Click here
 
Exclusive Interview with Alfredo Quarto, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mangrove Action Project - See more
Save the Sundarbans from Rampal power plant – View Sample Letter to Minister
Sign the Petition
 
Question Your Shrimp- Don't Buy or Sell Imported Tropical Shrimp! Sign the Petition
 

Marvellous Mangroves Curriculum

MARVELLOUS MANGROVES IN BRAZIL
En Portuges

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Marvellous Mangroves – A Curriculum-Based Teachers Guide.


FOR MORE ON MAPs AWARD WINNING CHINA MANGROVE CURRICULUM VISIT
Education in the Mangroves - China
VIMEO SHOW

VISIT OUR "MM" WEBPAGE


Check out our presentation for more details on Marvellous Mangroves

“Education In The Mangroves" can now be seen on the  PhotoPhilanthropy website here!

Read this 10 page history of the development of MAP’s educational curriculum VIEW DOCUMENT
 
Article in Canada's Green Teacher Magazine - Read More


FREE MAP Mangrove e-cards CLICK HERE
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MAP’s e-Cards offer you a unique way to spread the word about MAP’s good works, while sharing beautiful photographs of the mangroves
CALLING FOR MANGROVE ART SUBMISSIONS!
A fun and exciting Art Contest for children 6 to 16 years old. We invite all primary school children from tropical and sub-tropical nations, and whose schools are located near mangroves, to create art telling us “why mangroves are important to my community and me?”. Selected winners will be published in a 2016 calendar to be distributed internationally to raise awareness of mangrove forest ecology.  READ MORE

Order your 2015 Calendar
Mangrove Calendar 2015 FRONT 2
1-20 calendars, $12 each plus shipping
21-49 calendars, $10 ea plus shipping
50-100 calendars, $8 each plus shipping.
Over 100 $7 each plus shipping

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Giving could never be easier
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It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.
 
—Mahatma Gandhi


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MANGROVE ISSUES 

View MAP’s uploaded Videos at MAPmangrover’sChannel

The importance of restoring mangroves in an effective, long-term manner. Mangrove CBEMR video - VIEW

Question Your Shrimp Consumer/Markets Campaign!  WATCH VIDEO

Mangrove Restoration in Asia – Watch Short Video

Mosaic of Life 
READ A MOSAIC OF LIFE Peek into the underwater world of mangroves, "womb of the sea." By Liz Cunningham Photos By Wes Matweyew and Liz Cunningham
 



"Question Your Shrimp" Campaign

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
LISTEN TO INTERVIEW

Information sheds clear light on shrimp-mangrove connection
Question Your Shrimp
SEE DETAILS MANGROVE/SHRIMP


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Sign the Consumer's Pledge to avoid imported shrimp

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Note to Our Readers:
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occasionally links to stories may become broken. If you find a link to a story is not functioning, please cut and paste the headline into your browser search bar. In most cases you should be able to locate the original story.



Help Mangrove Action Project through your recycled E-Waste.  List of Accepted E-waste Items:
Injet Cartidges, Cell Phones, Pagers, GPS, Radar Detectors, Mobile Hot Spots, Calculators, eBook Readers, iPods/MP3 players, Digital/Video Cameras/Camcorders, PDAs, iPads/Tablets/Laptops, Video Game Consoles, Handheld Video Games
Visit the Mangrove Action Project recycle website Click on the recycle button then click on the Download Shipping Label, and follow the instructions.


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MANIFESTO OF EARTH DAY REDMANGLAR


"Many small people, in small places,
doing small things,
You can change the world. "
Eduardo Galeano.
 
Unstoppable Destruction

In the present context there is little to celebrate, the rate of destruction of our natural systems accelerated from just over 50 years, as in any other period of humanity. Although more and more information about current and future effects of climate change worldwide have not taken steps to stop burning fossil fuels measures, the main source of CO2 production.

Less green forests and deserts

Nor has managed to effectively reduce deforestation and loss of forests and woodlands. The loss of forests continues at an alarming rate, even organizations like FAO, indicate that the "reduction of forest land use caused by deforestation over a period of 20 years, is offset by the increase in forest area." What does not say is that often is considered within this increase in forest area, large monoculture tree plantations or oil palm, responsible for deforestation in many countries, loss of biodiversity and indigenous territories.

Without political will and corrupt politicians

In many of our countries, corrupt politicians supporting the private interests of large companies and corporations and industries, leaving aside the common good. These politicians are largely responsible for the current situation of environmental and ecological destruction and degradation, whether backing and supporting high-impact ventures, creating legislation for destruction, or with little or no political will to solve environmental problems.

Greenwash of destruction

The environmental issue has been co-opted by corporate interests and big business, green painting pollution and destruction of nature; have created false solutions to climate change. Now promote green oil, sustainable mining, forest plantations as carbon sinks, the Clean Development Mechanism. Many industries, such as shrimp seek the support of private institutions, governments and international institutions, certifications to "clean" their image and win green seals and thus sell their "green" makeup in the northern countries products.

Communities and peoples in the defense line

Communities and native peoples remain the key players in the battle for the defense of Earth.

In many parts of the world are communities and indigenous communities that have organized to assume the defense of their territories. Overcoming major challenges facing large and powerful interests, often backed by government authorities that contrary to support their just demands, criminalize and persecute. The defense of territories has led to many and many of these activists, persecution, and death threats.

Thus a recent report by Global Witness: Latin America is the most dangerous region to defend the environment. These are some of the data: In Colombia (with a population of 48.32 million inhabitants in 2013) 25 murder cases were registered against defenders of nature. At least 111 killed environmentalists between 2002 and 2014. Honduras, the most dangerous country for environmental advocates.

The killings of environmental activists and land that took place in 2014 reached an average of more than two per week, representing an increase of 20% compared to 2013.

Almost three quarters of these murders took place in Central and South America, while Southeast Asia was the second most affected region. Honduras was the most per capita dangerous for environmental activists and earth country. The alarming rate of 40% of these victims were indigenous and major causes of death were the hydropower industry, mining and agribusiness.
But the defense of our nature, our environment, should not rest solely in the hands of communities, peoples or environmentalists, but in every person, in every person that we share this common home, our planet Earth.
"When the last tree is cut, the last river poisoned, the last fish caught, only then he will discover that man can not eat money"
Cree Indian Proverb

Thursday, April 16, 2015

MAP News Issue 362, April 18, 2015

VerticalResponse
The MAP News
362nd Edition                                April 18, 2015

FEATURE STORY

'Wrong' mangrove rehab in Yolanda areas wasting funds
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PHILLIPINES - When marine biologist Margie Dela Cruz saw an old man about to plant mangrove seedlings in a channel in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, she panicked. The man was about to plant a species of mangroves called Rhizophora, more commonly called bakhaw, in seagrass beds, a completely different ecosystem from mangroves and home to a different set of organisms. Bakhaw do not naturally grow in the channel in the fishing village of Namitan. Instead, pagatpat (Sonneratia alba) and piapi (Avicennia marina) mangroves thrive there. By planting mangroves that had never been there, the reforestation only replaced one valuable habitat with another less viable one. Dela Cruz clearly remembered what the old man replied to her panicked questioning: "Sa gobyerno naman 'yan. Bakit sila magtuturo ng mali? (This is a government project, Why will they teach us the wrong thing?)" But that is exactly what may be the case, according to several Filipino scientists. READ MORE

ASIA

MAP’s Curriculum Project in Bangladesh Report Released
Curricullum 2
BANGLADESH – The Marvellous Mangroves (MM) Curriculum is a 350-page guidebook for schoolteachers, environmental clubs and higher level students to get intensive knowledge on mangroves through theoretical knowledge, hands on activities and visit to the Sundarbans wetlands including mangrove forests. The curriculum has already proved its importance and has been adapted, replicated and is under implementation in Australia, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Cayman Islands, China, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Mr. Martin A. Keeley, currently the Global Education Director of Mangrove Action Project (MAP) is the main author of MM Curriculum along with teachers and scientists from different corners of the world. READ THE REPORT

Move for 2nd Rampal power unit on while first one flounders
BANGLADESH - A government agency has made a move to develop more land at Rampal for building a second thermal power plant although the first one of 1,320-megawatt seems trapped in complexities and complaints. Officials said the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) planned to spend Tk 5.41 billion on land development, and construction of the protection and boundary walls for the second block of Rampal power plant. "We recently sent a Tk 5.41 billion project proposal to the Planning Commission. If approved, we will start land-development work on the Rampal power-generation-project site," said a BPDB official. READ MORE

MAP Asia hosts CBEMR field visits for DMCR and IUCN
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THAILAND - On Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th of April, MAP Asia, with assistance from Raks Thai (CARE Thailand) Foundation, hosted a visit for members of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), DMCR (Department of Marine and Coastal Resources) and people from the local communities. Representative included Mr Chakri Roadfai (Director of Mangrove Resources Conservation Office, DMCR) and Dr Chamniern (Country Representative, IUCN Thailand). The representatives would be visiting five sites over two days as a key component of MAP’s Ecosystems Protection Infrastructure and Communities (EPIC) project. The main objectives of this visit was to show real examples of restoration projects and help to increase the understanding of their failings or successes, hoping that lessons can be learned and integrated into future restoration, management and policy. READ MORE

Turtle nesting sites, mangroves at high risk due to oil spill
INDIA - Turtle nesting sites on the shorelines, mangroves in the inland waters and coral reefs in the sea are identified as highly vulnerable groups in the event of oil spill off the Goa coast, according to experts. "Many of Goa's diverse and ecologically important coastlines, including the inland riverine systems, are home to diverse and unique flora and fauna. Oil spills cause disruption and devastation of migratory pathways, degradation of important animals and plant habitat," stated the Goa State Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan prepared by the State Pollution Control Board (GPCB). READ MORE

AMERICAS

Ecological restoration of mangrove in the RAMSAR 1000
RAMSAR1000
HONDURAS - Ramsar Site #1000 is the area of wetlands in the Gulf of Fonseca that Honduras has committed itself to protect through an international agreement. The Honduran Congress strengthens that obligation through decree 5-99-E, which declares those wetlands as "Protected Areas" with the ecological designation of "Species Habitat Areas." Recently, Mangrove Action Project (MAP) with financial support from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and permission from the approval of the Ministry of the Environment, Energy and Mines launched a project named “Communities Basis in the Ecological Restoration of Mangroves” in site 1000. However, upon arrival it was discovered that a shrimp farm had been illegally setup against environmental law and within the confines of the ports security administration. Suddenly, the Ministry of the Environment abruptly suspends all cooperation. READ MORE also available EN ESPAÑOL

No trans shipping Port Portland Bight Protected Area, Jamaica
There is a situation brewing in Jamaica where state-owned China Harbour Engineering Company wants to build a massive shipping port. The Government already set aside the Portland Bight Protected Area, the Goat Islands area and surrounding waters for the endangered species. The Jamaican government did an about face and now the area is being considered for development of this huge port. Hellshire Hills, Jamaica is the last remaining home of the critically endangered Jamaican Iguana. The PBPA is a cultural heritage site, being once the home of the Taino Tribe, that at one time inhabited much of the south coast of Jamaica encluding Old Harbour, and around the Goat Islands in the Portland Bight Protected Area. READ MORE

Nat Geo video explores mangrove forests of Costa Rica
COSTA RICA - The Pacific and Caribbean shorelines of Costa Rica are home to various mangrove forests that are extremely important for marine and coastal ecosystems. These forests feature unique vegetation that thrives on brackish water, and which provides a fertile habitat for many wildlife species such as tropical fish, crabs, caimans, monkeys, bats, and many birds. Aside from serving as animal habitats, mangrove forests are also filtration systems that balance salinity and absorb pollutants. In the current period of climate change, mangrove forests are the first line of defense against the rising sea levels and the drastic high tides that are being experienced across the Americas; mangroves also protect against natural disasters such as tropical storms and hurricanes. A new National Geographic video briefly explains the importance of mangroves in Rio Tigre, a coastal community in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica VIEW VIDEO

Army Corp Tells Neal Not to Kill Mangroves on Perico Island
USA – In a letter sent to Pat Neal on Thursday, the Army Corp of Engineers sent a clear message: If you want to develop, don’t kill the mangroves. Neal needs approval of three entities – the City of Bradenton, SWFMD and the Army Corp of Engineers – before he can destroy mangroves for development on Perico Island. If any one of them denies permission, the irreplaceable environment of the mangroves will remain protected. The letter should come as no surprise, as three federal agencies have thus far recommended denial. Citizens have been very vocal about the mangroves requested to be destroyed by Neal, writing almost a hundred letters opposing the project. 22-year Manatee County Commission veteran, Joe McClash, who challenged a permit about to be issued by SWFMD, responded that he was "hopeful that the laws and rules protecting mangroves would finally be respected." READ MORE

Environmentalists challenging feds over turtle deaths from commercial shrimping
USA – An environmental group is suing the federal government over deaths of thousands of sea turtles caught in shrimping nets, saying regulators ignore rules that might save them. “These agencies have violated their statutory mandate,” says a lawsuit the activist group Oceana filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington. The group wants a judge to order the National Marine Fisheries Service to rewrite a report it issued last year that said shrimping operations “will not reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery” of several species of sea turtles that are endangered or threatened. The suit argues the agency’s report, called a biological opinion, is “arbitrary and capricious” and ignored scientific information about the scale of the damage from shrimping. The 2014 report estimated 53,622 turtles were killed annually in trawling nets. READ MORE

15th International Children Contest Announcement for teachers and schools
Mangrove-Calendar-2015-FRONT
We invite all primary school children from tropical and sub-tropical nations, and whose schools are located near mangroves, to create art telling us "why mangroves are important to my community and me?” Selected winners will be published in the 2016 calendar to be distributed internationally to raise awareness of mangrove forest ecology. This creative contest aims to promote appreciation and awareness of mangrove forests, and to encourage and listen to creative voices of children living in mangrove areas. Help us launch this program in your school by contacting science and art teachers in your area and encourage them to work together on this fun and innovative project. READ MORE  also available EN ESPAÑOL

OCEANA

ABS data shows reef coral, seagrass loss
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AUSTRALIA - STARTLING statistics have revealed a severe drop in the reef's seagrass, coral and water quality in the Fitzroy region and the Mackay and Whitsunday region. Figures show the Fitzroy region has recorded a decline of more than 50% in seagrass and coral quality on the Great Barrier Reef. The Mackay and Whitsunday region has had a 45% drop in water quality. Recently the Australian Bureau of Statistics released the first ecosystem accounts that examined data taken over the past decade of the reef's condition and scored it accordingly. It showed seagrass condition had dropped by more than half in the Fitzroy area; going from 100 points when data started being collected in 2005-06 to just 38 points in 2012. There has also been a decline in seagrass condition in the Mackay and Whitsunday region, going from 100 points in 2005 to its lowest level of 21 points in 2011. READ MORE

In praise of seagrasses and their special place in the Pacific
AUSTRALIA – An international project that's helping save the threatened dugongs of Solomon Islands and Vanuatu has produced some amazing facts about their seagrass habitats. Pacific Regional Environment Program's migratory species specialist, Mike Donoghue says they store carbon dioxide 35 times faster than rainforests can and ecology assessments rate them as three times more valuable than coral reefs. They're clearly an underwater miracle plant and James Cook University researcher Len McKenzie says the value of seagrass is not widely appreciated. Listen to PODCAST

LAST WORD(S)

    “Placing a site on the Ramsar list does not ensure the conservation of the natural wetland habitats within it”.
~Source “Ramsar Briefing Note 7, the “State of the World’s Wetlands and their Services to People: A compilation of recent analyses,”

Activist Nancy DeRosa of Society of Akumal's Vital Ecology (SAVE) in Mexico speaks out about the ineffectiveness of Ramsar listing in light of recent findings.

“Our world’s shorelines and water ways are indeed in trouble. Workshops and new initiatives are fantastic.  But how much time do we really have?  Here in the Riviera Maya coastline of Mexico, the wetlands resemble a crash victim. RAMSAR is not making enough of a difference.  Something must change.  If this crash victim receives immediate care, the victim may survive…”
“… I think that my small grassroots NGO, SAVE, is doing more and making differences than the well funded diplomatic group of RAMSAR.  Although it is risky to speak out as a private citizen amongst power giants that run this coastline, it has its rewards, rewards that can be seen on the ground. If RAMSAR Mexico could take a more active position to help we could together make a change, but in the past as I have had dialogs with this group, there has been no action, and no change…” READ HER ENTIRE LETTER


BACK TO TOP

Not yet a subscriber?
Click here to subscribe.
Please cut and paste these news alerts/ action alerts on to your own lists and contacts. Help us spread the word and further generate letters of concern, as this can make a big difference in helping to halt a wrongdoing or encourage correct action.

ACTION ALERTS WANTED: MAP News is looking for links to calls to actions/petitions and letter writing campaigns on mangrove issues, tropical coastal communities and other related topics. Not all submissions can be selected, but we look forward to hearing about your work and want to let our readers' voice be heard!
Email submissions to news@mangroveactionproject.org
Action Alerts:
No trans shipping Port Portland Bight Protected Area, Jamaica SIGN OUR PETITION

Volunteer Opportunities with Mangrove Action Project CLICK HERE

STOP PLANTING MANGROVES ON SEAGRASS BEDS _ A CALL TO ACTION

Introducing the “refreshed” Blue Planet Links website, a go-to resource for teachers, students, and the interested public as they navigate the web for useful material about water.

What is CBEMR? Easy to follow fact sheet – CLICK HERE

Want to learn more about mangroves?

mangrove-action-project-presentation-1-1024.jpg?cb=1424228039
Our short presentation will give you a better understanding of the issues we are working to solve. WATCH PRESENTATION
SHARE MAP'S VISION 
CLICK HERE to watch short introductory video. Together we can work "at the roots of the sea".
Join us in saving our beautiful country!
We hope you have been following the ongoing battle in Bimini, Bahamas.
We are in need of your help more than ever Click here

Exclusive Interview with Alfredo Quarto, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mangrove Action Project - See more
Save the Sundarbans from Rampal power plant – View Sample Letter to Minister
Sign the Petition

Question Your Shrimp- Don't Buy or Sell Imported Tropical Shrimp! Sign the Petition
 

Marvellous Mangroves Curriculum

MARVELLOUS MANGROVES IN BRAZIL
En Portuges

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Marvellous Mangroves – A Curriculum-Based Teachers Guide.


FOR MORE ON MAPs AWARD WINNING CHINA MANGROVE CURRICULUM VISIT
Education in the Mangroves - China
VIMEO SHOW

VISIT OUR "MM" WEBPAGE


Check out our presentation for more details on Marvellous Mangroves

“Education In The Mangroves" can now be seen on the  PhotoPhilanthropy website here!

Read this 10 page history of the development of MAP’s educational curriculum VIEW DOCUMENT

Article in Canada's Green Teacher Magazine - Read More

FREE MAP Mangrove e-cards CLICK HERE
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MAP’s e-Cards offer you a unique way to spread the word about MAP’s good works, while sharing beautiful photographs of the mangroves
CALLING FOR MANGROVE ART SUBMISSIONS!
A fun and exciting Art Contest for children 6 to 16 years old. We invite all primary school children from tropical and sub-tropical nations, and whose schools are located near mangroves, to create art telling us “why mangroves are important to my community and me?”. Selected winners will be published in a 2016 calendar to be distributed internationally to raise awareness of mangrove forest ecology.  READ MORE

Order your 2015 Calendar
Mangrove Calendar 2015 FRONT 2
1-20 calendars, $12 each plus shipping
21-49 calendars, $10 ea plus shipping
50-100 calendars, $8 each plus shipping.
Over 100 $7 each plus shipping

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It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.

—Mahatma Gandhi

Green Planet Fundraising Assists MAP – LEARN MORE

MANGROVE ISSUES 

View MAP’s uploaded Videos at MAPmangrover’sChannel

The importance of restoring mangroves in an effective, long-term manner. Mangrove CBEMR video - VIEW
Question Your Shrimp Consumer/Markets Campaign!  WATCH VIDEO

Mangrove Restoration in Asia – Watch Short Video

Mosaic of Life
READ A MOSAIC OF LIFE Peek into the underwater world of mangroves, "womb of the sea." By Liz Cunningham Photos By Wes Matweyew and Liz Cunningham


"Question Your Shrimp" Campaign

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
LISTEN TO INTERVIEW

Information sheds clear light on shrimp-mangrove connection
Question Your Shrimp
SEE DETAILS MANGROVE/SHRIMP


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Sign the Consumer's Pledge to avoid imported shrimp

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Note to Our Readers:
We strive to keep active links in our newsletter. However, due to circumstances beyond our control,
occasionally links to stories may become broken. If you find a link to a story is not functioning, please cut and paste the headline into your browser search bar. In most cases you should be able to locate the original story.



Help Mangrove Action Project through your recycled E-Waste.  List of Accepted E-waste Items:
Injet Cartidges, Cell Phones, Pagers, GPS, Radar Detectors, Mobile Hot Spots, Calculators, eBook Readers, iPods/MP3 players, Digital/Video Cameras/Camcorders, PDAs, iPads/Tablets/Laptops, Video Game Consoles, Handheld Video Games
Visit the Mangrove Action Project recycle website Click on the recycle button then click on the Download Shipping Label, and follow the instructions.


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Mangrove Action Project
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An Open Letter to RAMSAR

Our world’s shorelines and water ways are indeed in trouble. Workshops and new initiatives are fantastic.  But how much time do we really have?  Here in the Riviera Maya coastline of Mexico, the wetlands resemble a crash victim. RAMSAR is not making enough of a difference.  Something must change.  If this crash victim receives immediate care, the victim may survive.
We must have decided as members of RAMSAR that the wetlands deserve our immediate care for many reasons, and this takes efforts, not just words.
What to do first? “We apply emergency first aid: Airway, Breathing and Circulation.”  These same ABC's relating to ecology; putting a stop to ALL deforestation, mangrove filling, disheveled sewage, habitat destruction, siltation from construction, garbage dumping, chemical runoffs, and poor building ethics.
To apply first aid, work must be done on both the ground level and the diplomatic level, and it’s a big job, more than only a desk job!!! Destruction continues here daily. RAMSAR diplomats are not paying attention to the facts of the list above, not much.  I think that my small grassroots NGO, SAVE, is doing more and making differences than the well funded diplomatic group of RAMSAR.  Although it is risky to speak out as a private citizen amongst power giants that run this coastline, it has its rewards, rewards that can be seen on the ground. If RAMSAR Mexico could take a more active position to help we could together make a change, but in the past as I have had dialogs with this group, there has been no action, and no change. 
CPR wetlands:  In the words of a friend “First we need first aid. Once first aid is applied, then we have to treat the crash victim. Sometimes we might need to heal broken bones.  We can choose to let the broken bone stay untreated, then it will take a very long time for it to heal properly or we might speed up the process by taking active measures, such as placing a metal rod and a cast.”
If we think about it in this way, the water of this world is our blood, the mangroves of this world are our lungs, the brains…us as controllers, and the goal is to live, flourish, grow.
Sometimes the bruises will heal on their own. That's when conservation alone helps. “If left untreated, the patient will die, regardless of our ABC's and our bone healing.”
Then there is more, systemic failure is not only caused from our neglect, but also with throwing in global warming to this mixture, that if left untreated, will doom wetlands by 2050, that's just 35 years from now. And for us whose sole livelihoods depends on tourism from this coastline which is truly a fantastic place, human destruction and human abuse…overuse of our resources is just not acceptable.
Once we have our priorities straight, it's time to take action. Action Please!!  In our wetlands if left untreated, this will be then the objective of large scale restoration.
Some of us know about dealing with systemic failure. We have to do our best, and we have to do it quick. And we need to unite our efforts. We have an existing organization RAMSAR to coordinate our efforts along with local NGO’s.
Regardless how we decide about doing our best, we don't want to let the patient die in agony during
our watch. 
Nancy DeRosa
Activist for SAVE
Society of Akumal's Vital Ecology
Salvamento Akumal de Vida Ecologica
www.saverivieramaya.org
www.facebook.com/save.akumal
   

MAP News Issue 593, March 9, 2024

MAP News Issue #593 - March 9, 2024 Nigeria has Commenced Large-Scale Mangrove Restoraion in Ogoniland Eastern Niger Delta NIGERIA - The...