In the past few decades, over a half of Vietnam's mangrove forests have been cleared for shrimp ponds. This practice has caused serious damage to mangroves and destroyed the ecosystem. Seeing the importance of mangrove protection and sustainable economic development of the locality and provision of livelihoods for people, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) have carried out the Project "Sustainable Shrimp Farming in Vietnam’s Mangrove Forests and Carbon Emission Reduction" (MAM) since 2013.
Double effect
MAM is a regional initiative that helps restore mangrove forests and promote ecological shrimp certification in coastal Ca Mau province of Vietnam and Chanthaburi province of Thailand. The project is supported by the International Climate Initiative financed by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and executed by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
Mr Chau Cong Bang, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ca Mau province, said Ca Mau mangroves account for 50 per cent of the country's total mangrove area. Up to 88,000 ha of protective forests can be used to farm shrimps. Annual production output increases by 2.7 per cent. In 2015, the province's shrimp output reached 9,605 tonnes. Currently, six companies have international aquaculture certifications for shrimp farming with a combined area of approximately 19,000 ha and 4,000 households.
Mr Jake Brunner, IUCN Deputy Director for Southeast Asia, said shrimp reared in mangrove forests has two purposes. Firstly, it helps mitigate climate change. Secondly, mangrove forests play a very important role in improving fishery profitability and stability, providing diverse sources of income and minimising market risks for people.
Photo: Tat Tien
Once the natural process of the ecosystem is maintained, aquatic species will be able to resist diseases. And, aquaculture needs no feeds, chemicals and antibiotics.
Ms Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, MAM Project Director, said after the first phase ends (2013-2015), the project achieved initial results, restored mangrove forests, promoted certified shrimp production, link shrimp farmers in Ca Mau with export markets, and provide legal supports for building the payment mechanism for environmental services of the fishery sector. The project has also interconnected farmers, local governments, businesses and consumer markets. Minh Phu Seafood Corporation has linked with 1,150 households (an approximate area of 4,700 hectares) in Nhung Mien, Quoc Viet Seaproducts Processing Trading & Import Export Co. Ltd has also partnered with the National Vietnam on 500 households (about 2,200 ha area) in Dat Mui.
To date, nearly 800 shrimp farming households have been certified by Naturland and rewarded for restoring and protecting mangrove ecosystems. As many as 1,500 households are currently applying for certification.
SNV Vietnam Director Miguel Mendez said 80 ha of mangrove forests owned by 402 households used to be destroyed for shrimp farming in the last decade has been replanted. This reality showed that appropriate economic policies and incentives can turn the act of destroying forests for shrimp farming to the act of restoring and protecting forests. MAM project also supported building favourable policies for the sake of all stakeholders.
Mr Le Van Quang, President of Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, said building ecological shrimp farming models requires high costs, resulting in high product prices. Besides, only Switzerland accepts Naturland certificate. If we obtain a universal certification, our opportunity to access other markets will be greater.
Model expansion
Mr Chau Cong Bang said Ca Mau expected to have 80,000 ha of shrimp production areas from forests to harvest 14,300 tonnes a year in the 2020-2030 period. Certified area will reach 60,000 ha, which is capable of producing 10,700 tonnes.
Miguel Mendez added that his organisation will not end with just 2,000 farming households in Ca Mau. In the coming time, the project will expand its mangrove-shrimp farming model to other coastal areas in the Mekong Delta.
In addition, the project is also seeking access to finance and support for developing the Payments for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) Programme for the Vietnamese fishery sector.
Huong Ly
Vietnamese
