Protected mangrove forests and aquaculture development for livelihoods

Abstract

The coastal province of Kien Giang exposes some of the challenges of mangrove-based aquaculture (MBA) and coastal protection, both within the Mekong Delta and more broadly. Kien Giang was therefore selected as a case study to explore in detail the relationship between MBA and mangrove protection. This was achieved through a combination of spatial analysis of coastline change from Google Earth imagery, ground truthing and field visits, semi-structured interviews, participatory community meetings, and focus group interviews. The results indicate that the current MBA does not guarantee mangrove protection. The current MBA strategies are shown to be sustainable on stable or progradational coasts, where ponds are adequately protected by 700 m wide mangrove belts. However, ponds developed on erosional coasts commonly fail, and frequently accelerate coastal retreat as the degraded mangrove belts less effectively protect the coast. Therefore, the legislation, or its implementation should be revised to ensure that mangrove allocations for MBA can only be allowed where the shoreline is stable or prograding, and where protection is provided by minimum 40 m wide mangrove belts. As mangrove forests on the Mekong Delta face additional threats associated with rising sea levels and climate change, the revision of current practices is critically urgent.