Shrimp aquaculture is lifting thousands of farmers out of poverty in Vietnam, yet it is causing continued destruction of mangroves. These ecosystems have an impact to be able to stop advancing erosion and rising sea levels caused by climate change.
The effects of climate change are becoming more and more accentuated and these mangroves are a kind of barrier that protects the Vietnamese against effects such as erosion and rising sea levels. Shrimp aquaculture is expanding in these areas and is promoting trade and the economy. However, it generates impacts on the mangroves, deteriorating them and causing them to lose its role as a shield against climate change.
Deforestation
Of the 270.000 hectares that covered the Vietnamese coast in 1980 only 60.000 left, according to government data. This deforestation is caused by urbanization and the development of tourism. Most of it is caused by the prawn industry, which in 2016 exported 2.700 billion euros.
Aquaculture has expanded greatly since the 90s and has contributed to the loss of the mangrove. Now there is more awareness that they must be protected, but there are very few left and they are difficult to regenerate.
Mangroves
Mangroves have special characteristics that make them unique, such as mixing fresh and salt water from the sea and rivers. Thanks to these mangroves, more than 700 animal and plant species can coexist, in addition to protecting the fragile coasts of Vietnam from rising sea levels and mitigating the effects of typhoons.
The problem is that farmers cut down the mangroves to make more space for the young. To avoid this problem, it has been organized the training of 4.100 aquaculturists Those who are instructed on organic farming and the steps to obtain all the necessary certifications for the export of crustaceans with the organic seal.
Everyone has to learn to work in an area without having to cut down to expand their young.