Exchange visit on mangrove friendly sustainable aquaculture in Ayeyarwady Delta
On November 18-22, 2024, as part of the SDC Gulf of Mottama Project, 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 and MERN organised a visit to the Ayeyarwady Delta for 11 members of Community Forest (CF) Committees and Local Conservation Groups (LCGs) in six project villages in Paung and Thaton Townships, Mon State. The aim was to explore mangrove friendly sustainable aquaculture practices in CF mangroves that could be scaled up in the gulf and understand how local communities have adopted responsible practices through their CF User Groups (CFUGs).
Photo: Group photo at mangrove friendly aquaculture farm in Lay Kyaw CF, Pyapon Township 漏 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Myanmar
Photo: Participants walking through Byone Mywae Kyun, Bogalay Township 漏 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Myanmar
Photo: Participants walking through a mangrove plantation in Thone Bawathit (Lay Kyaw) CF, Pyapon Township 漏 香港六合彩开奖结果现场直播 Myanmar
On November 19, participants visited two protected mangrove forests: Byone Mywae Kyun and Mein Ma Hla Kyun in Bogale Township. On November 20, participants visited CFUG-managed small-scale mangrove friendly aquaculture models in War Kone CF in Pyapon Township.
War Kone CF is inside Pyindaye Reserved Forest. The CFUGs have restored the mangrove ecosystem by gap planting with the native species with support from many NGOs. In 2001, it received CF certificate for 250 acres with 45 CFUG members through FREDA support; In 2016, it was expanded by 100 acres with 20 more CFUGs members through RECOFTC support; In 2017, 27 CFUGs members started a mangrove friendly aquaculture business with support of and .
Participants learned about site selection, mangrove planting, feeding practices, and application of eco-friendly methods for mud crab farming. The CF committee explained that mud crab farming is a profitable and sustainable livelihood in mangroves. Mud crabs are naturally found in mangrove and estuarine areas, so farming can be done in harmony with the environment, rather than by clearing mangroves. Mud crabs are grown in specially designed ponds using a fence made from garden nets to replicate the natural mangroves. The ponds have been built to allow tidal water exchange and sediment flows to maintain water quality and support healthy crab development. It involves periodic monitoring of water salinity, temperature, and oxygen levels.
Participants explored Thone Bawathit (Lay Kyaw) CF, which is one of the most successful CFs in Pyapon Township. With RECOFTC support, they received a CF certificate in 2018 covering 500 acres with 39 CFUG members. The CF includes 300 acres of mangroves and 200 acres of restored mangroves. At the meeting, The Lay Kyaw CF committee members and participants compared the conditions in the Gulf of Mottama and Ayeyarwady Delta and highlighted these points:
- Importance of mangrove ecosystems for ecological balance and local livelihoods.
- Techniques and practices for aquaculture that support mangrove conservation.
- Benefits of mangrove-friendly aquaculture for environment and local communities.
- Strategies for involving community forest users in mangrove protection.
- Sharing experiences and challenges in managing the mangrove ecosystem.
At Lay Kyaw, participants from the Gulf of Mottama learned about the cultural influence on mangrove management in the delta. Establishing and facilitating a network of coastal communities in the gulf and delta is a good way to share knowledge, provide mutual support, and strengthen sustainability.
On November 21, participants visited another successful mangrove friendly aquaculture practice led by a team of eight CFUG members in Pyapon Township, Htaung Gyi Tan. This business uses a polyculture model to farm fish, shrimp, and crab.
Discussions covered the importance of mangroves in supporting biodiversity and local economies; detailed demonstration of mud crab site preparation, mangrove integration, feeding, and harvesting techniques; establishing market links and scalable business models; lessons learned in mangrove aquaculture; and how to replicate mud crab farming and mangrove-friendly aquaculture in other regions.
Some conclusions include:
- Success of mangrove-based aquaculture, such as mud crab farming, is influenced by water salinity, temperature, and soil quality. What works in one area may not be feasible elsewhere.
- Communities may lack funding or resources to make the investments, making it difficult for them to follow up on new initiatives.
- Climate change, including sea level rise, extreme weather events such as storms, costal erosion, and changing environmental conditions, poses an additional challenge to mangrove management and aquaculture.
Several recommendations are made:
- Communities should be encouraged to monitor and adjust practices based on local conditions.
- Leveraging partnerships with NGOs, local governments, and private sector to secure funding.
- Knowledge exchange is essential, yet it is important to also consider the cultural, socio-economic, environmental context for suitable adaptation.