Document Actions
The MAP News, 178th Ed., 03 December 2006
Dear Friends,
This is the 178th Edition of the Mangrove Action Project News. This has been delayed already too long by wind storms, a snow storm and two major power outages that left us in the dark for 5 days total! , So I apologize for this late start! I hope these articles reach you in a timely manner. Thanks for your continued support of MAP and our global efforts to Save the Mangroves!
Alfredo Quarto,
Mangrove Action Project
Partnering with mangrove forest communities, grassroots NGOs, researchers and local governments to conserve and restore mangrove forests and related coastal ecosystems, while promoting community-based, sustainable management of coastal resources.
Contents for MAP NEWS, 178th Edition, Part 1 of 2
FEATURE STORY
Finally Global Warming Issue Heating Up On Front Burner
MAP WORKS
Call for examples of mangrove management plans...
MAP Indonesia Projects Progressing Well
MAP Asia Office in Thailand Active In Several Countries
MAP’s Mangrove Curriculum Moving Forward Towards New Horizons
ANNOUNCEMENT: “Mangrove Forest Ecology, Management and Restoration" training workshop,
March 5-8, 2007, Hollywood, Florida.
Start Your New Year Right With A MAP 2007 Calendar!
Kenya
Maathai Unveils Drive to Plant a Billion Trees
Change or perish, experts warn East African nations
Togo, (W. Africa)
Small Grant From GGF to Togo NGO
The Gambia (W. Africa)
Last Christmas I gave you a goat, this year it‚s mangroves and monkeys
Thailand
GULF OF THAILAND / SEVERE COASTAL EROSION
Mangroves boosted to control erosion
US call to drop shrimp case rejected
Indonesia
New Mangrove Newsletter From Indonesia
Stealth Tsunami Surprises Indonesian Coastal Residents
Vietnam
Vietnam ranks sixth among top ten aquaculture producers
India
Save Hukaharaniya River Project/ Save the Sundarban
***ACTION ALERT!!!*** Please Write Letters:
Bangladesh
Untold Realities: How the ADB Safeguards have been violated in Bangladesh, India,
Lao PDR and Pakistan.
Shrimp worth nearly $30 mn stockpiled in Bangladesh godowns
MIDDLE EAST
Saudi Arabia--Arabian Shrimp Company
Brazil
Mangrove Future Soured By Sugar Industry
Shrimp farming: socio-environmental disaster in Northeast Brazilian mangrove
ecosystems.
Brazil to Speed up 120 Infrastructure Projects
The Bahamas
Protection of the Nassau Grouper
Guana Cay Case Back In Court
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands – uncontrolled development
***ACTION ALERT!!!***
USA
10-year US aquaculture plan out for consultation
Darden: Global shrimp industry ripe for growth
EUROPE
"Sailing against protein-pirates"
STORIES/ISSUES
Why Restoration Will Not Always Work—A Flaw In The Fabric
FAO partnership nets award for work on shrimp farming
“Green Award” From World Bank To FAO Contested
More Condemnation Of FAO Policies On Food Security Issues
Wal-Mart Accused of Mislabeling Non-Organic as Organic Food
Coral reefs can be saved
Conscientious seafood buyers could reverse "widespread destruction" of fisheries
A Drop-Sized Way to Bring Clean Water to a Thirsty World
FAO shrimp trawling project to feature in BBC documentary
CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS
International Expert Workshop “Linking Nature Conservation and Poverty Reduction”
ANNOUNCEMENTS
World Fisheries Day observed on Nov 21
AQUACULTURE CORNER
Wild salmon at risk from two million escapes of farmed fish
Free or farmed, when is a fish really organic? What makes a fish organic?
MSC Passes On Farmed Fish Eco-Label
Finally Global Warming Issue Heating Up On Front Burner
By Jeremy Lovell
Mon Nov 20, 06
LONDON (Reuters) - Next year will be crucial if political inertia is not to have a potentially catastrophic effect on efforts to battle global warming, British Environment Minister David Miliband said on Monday. Fresh from inconclusive talks in Nairobi on how to take forward the Kyoto Protocol on cutting emissions of greenhouse gases, which expires in 2012, Miliband said political will was seriously lagging scientific knowledge.
"The politics is moving more slowly than the science or the economics globally. We have got to inject new momentum into the politics," he told the Environment Agency's annual conference. "The next year is absolutely key."
He highlighted the German presidency of the European Union and the Group of Eight (G8) rich nations, a new Congress in the United States and a new U.N. secretary-general as important for how 2007 would turn out environmentally.
"If there is a gap after 2012 ... the carbon market ... will collapse. To avoid that you basically have to start negotiations in a year's time," he said.
The Nairobi meeting agreed that talks on taking forward and expanding Kyoto should get underway in 2008 but some delegates criticized a lack of firm action on global warming. Scientists predict that unless firm action is taken to curtail emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, global temperatures will rise by between two and six degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
The United States, which pulled out of Kyoto in 2001, argues that such action could cripple its economy. A report last month by former World Bank chief economist Nicholas Stern said that while action now to curb carbon emissions would cost some one percent of world economic output, delay could push the price up to 20 percent.
Alex Bowen, the Stern group's senior economic advisor, told the meeting that business as usual would ensure that world temperatures rose by at least five degrees by 2100, bringing climatic, economic and social catastrophe to the world with floods, famines and wholesale species' wipeout.
"International collective action is necessary. We need an agreed sense of where the world is heading," he said.
Oxford University academic Dieter Helm, head of an academic panel advising Miliband's ministry on policy, said he believed the Stern report had underestimated the scale of the problem.
"This is an enormous challenge. The chances of sustaining the world economy based upon the current levels of consumption-led growth and the population growth that we are looking at ... are quite shallow," he said.
From: Editor: newsnet4dev@gmail.com, newsnet4dev@yahoo.com
Call for examples of mangrove management plans...
In May 2006, the Federal Agency of Natural Resource Conservation - Indonesia†signed an MOU with MAP-Indonesia, USAID -ESP and a local community based organization from North Sumatera (IPANJAR) designating collaborative management rights over†500 hectares of mangrove forest in the 9000 hectare SE Lankgkat Wildlife Sanctuary. This sets a precedent in Indonesia for community participation in managing a wildlife sanctuary. MAP-Indonesia is now in the process of working with local stakeholders to devise a workable management plan for the collaborative management area.†
In order to write the implementation management plan, two separate documents are being created first. One is a study on traditional management practices based on regulations the local community has put in place to manage a 33 hectare mangrove forest adjacent to their village of Jaring Halus. The second is a technical management plan based on the prescription provided by Hirons et al., in 1996. The final plan will be a hybrid of the traditional and technical plans.
MAP-Indonesia is looking for other examples of technical prescriptions/management plans or cases where traditional management practices have been incorporated into government mangrove management plans, as example to help us steer our course. If you have access to such examples, please contact us at seagrassroots.gmail.com
==========
MAP Indonesia Projects Progressing Well
MAP-Indonesia and a cooperative of bamboo furniture artisans began construction today on a bamboo treatment facility. UNIDO is sponsoring this 4 month program as part of a support package for post-earthquake recovery in Yogyakarta. The four month project will entail a feasibility study on setting up bamboo treatment as part of a medium scale bamboo enterprise. It will also put treated bamboo on the local construction market, a sustainable alternative to tropical hardwoods and in some areas mangroves.
Yayasan Dian Desa and Dian Niaga donated a bamboo charcoal kiln to MAP-Indonesia as well today. The kiln will be used to produce charcoal and charcoal vinegar†from bamboo scrap which is in abundant supply at the bamboo furniture workshop. The charcoal vinegar has a wide range of uses for agricultural applications and may even be used to replace borates as the bamboo treatment solution. Dian Desa is also hosting R&D on a solar dryer for production of mangrove holly tea, a non-timber forest product being developed by MAP-Indonesia in two regions.
There were also discussions with the Asian Regional Cookstove Program about inviting community mangrove stewards from Riau-Sumatera to a charcoal making workshop in Thailand in February. The community group Bumi Hijau is†considering running a†small-scale sustainable mangrove charcoal operation in their 60 hectare mangrove forest on Bengkalis Island. Currently Bumi Hijau supplies raw materials to one of seven industrial charcoal producers on Bengkalis Island. The goal would be to develop sustainable, small-scale charcoal production of high quality products (charcoal and wood vinegar) as part of a community forestry scheme.
==========
Lukman and Jajang have finished with the translation and layout of an adaptation of "Marvelous Mangroves" in Indonesian. It is being proof-read by a few scholars and then will be printed, and used for teacher support starting in Segara Anakan Lagoon - Central Java. Congratulations Lukman and Jajang...quite an accomplishment putting together this 200+ page resource.
From: "ben brown" yarl@telkom.net
==========
MAP Asia Office in Thailand Active In Several Countries
In Cambodia
In the Hands of the Fishers (IHOF) Program ˆ Cambodia 2005-2006 funded by McKnight Foundation
Our IHOF project with two partners in Cambodia has gone very well and will be winding up at the end of this year with plans to prepare a new project for 2007-08. Project support with Development and Appropriate Technology (DATe) was for the construction of a floating Community Resources Education Centre on Tonlesap.
The main programme support this year is with Participatory Management of Coastal Resources of Cambodia (PMCR) for mangrove restoration, solid waste management, a fisheries study, and coastal habitat conservation and awareness building for protection of aquatic nursery grounds. Kim Nong, the project leader, said things have gone well with the mangrove restoration and coastal conservation in Koh Kong.
In Sri Lanka
MAP is organizing an Ecological Mangrove Restoration Training (EMRT) workshop in Sri Lanka in partnership with Sewa Lanka Foundation: Through our contact with Diakonie Emergency Aid, Disaster Prevention in the Context of Climate Change Programme in Germany and a field trip investigation which I made to Ampara District, on the SE coast in Sri Lanka in the 2nd week of May, we've secured project funding to under take EMR training in Sri Lanka in Feb. as part of a larger DEA funded Sewa Lanka mangrove restoration project. The EMR training support for MAP-Asia will bring Robin Lewis, Ben Brown, and myself to Sri Lanka to conduct two EMR trainings, one national workshop, and a community based training focusing on the project site in Ampara. The planning for this workshop has started already, but will be a major focus over the nest few months. This workshop will build on our EMR training experience from last year in AP India and is a wonderful opportunity for MAP to expand and strengthen our MAP network in Sri Lanka. We've already developed a new strong partner in Sewa Lanka Foundation, a highly respected NGO in Sri Lanka, in addition to our ongoing and deepening partnership with the Smaall Fishers Federation of Sri Lanka in Pambala. SFFL is our continuing founding partner in Sri Lanka.
In Burma
Mangrove Restoration by Mangrove Service Network (MSN) in the Ayeyarwady Delta of Burma: MSN sent two participants to the EMR training MAP-CCDP organized in AP India in Nov. 2005 and undertook a follow-up EMR project in the Ayeyarwady Delta with GGF funds. MSN had just completed the hydrological physical restoration work. Win Sein Naing met with me in Bangkok at the Shrimp Certification Meeting, relating that he had just returned from the delta where they had dropped a large number of mangrove propagules into the canals for natural tidal dispersal.
As a follow-up to our trip to Burma, MSN is developing a funding proposal for mangrove restoration and MAP-Asia may play a role in this restoration project. Mangrove Service Network (MSN), (Development Service Provider) intends to establish 1540 hectares of community forestry, involving 3 villages in the Delta Ayeyarwady which would also involve programme activities from a Mangrove Resource and Community Learning Centre, developing Mangrove User Groups and developing mangrove friendly income based on sustainable mangrove resource utilization.
In India
EMR India workshop follow-up: A number of groups participating in the workshop have now undertaken EMR projects including CCDP, OMCAR, SFFL, MSN, and CREED, but we still need to determine the success & quality of each project through monitoring. The EMR Group List Server has proven to be a very useful tool for people to keep in touch, share information and experience. This EMR Yahoo group is now starting to be utalized by the participants taking ownership of the site's use. It is also encouraging to see networking amongst these divese regional groups.
Sandhan Foundation CCRC at Gupti, Orissa: MAP-Asia funded an Improved Cookstove (ICS) workshop involving 40 community participants on 24-27 July which was covered by TVE AP film crew. Mr C.V. Krishna the ICS Expert from Bhubeneswar conducted the workshop, and the certificates were distributed by the Hon'ble Minister of Cooperation Ms Surama Padhy, Govt. of Orissa. This training was supported by a portion of the Lumpkin Fund. ICS stoves can reduce wood consumption, and through the use of a stovepipe makes for a healthier cooking environment for the mother & entire family, especially children. Unfortunately, the Sandhan CCRC has suffered severe flooding damage over the past several months of exceptionally heavy monsoon rains.
Sandhan Coordinator, Bijay Nada, following our IHOF programme model, arranged a study tour to the Sandhan Foundation's Coastal Community Resource Center (CCRC) at the village Gupti of Orissa, to coastal communities, and arranged for us to see the coastal wetland-marine resources of Bhitarkanika mangrove ecosystem. A seven member delegation from MAP-SFFL Mangrove Resource Center, Pambala, Chilaw of Sri Lanka visited the CCRC-Gupti from May 20-26, 2006 on an Inter Country Study Visit program supported by Commonwealth Foundation of UK. This CCRC-CCRC exchange is significant as it was carried out completely independently without any MAP involvement, which shows a positive outcome of our IHOF programme. Bijay's attendance at several IHOF workshops at the SFFL CCRC inspired him to establish a CCRC in Orissa, India.
Andaman Island
Andaman Islands Project with COPDANET: Cultural Resilience and Sustainable Environmental Management through Community Capacity Building, Mangrove Restoration, and a Livelihood Support Scheme. This project is centered on the newly opened Mangrove Resource Centre (MRC) at Bamboo Flats near Port Blair, and is supported by the Christensen Fund. It has involved EMR training for 2 persons, mangrove awareness raising, mangrove restoration, people's marches and activities on Mangrove Action Day. (Please see their new website: http://www.copdanet.org/). MAP-Asia is also helping COPDANET make some needed structural repairs to the CCRC which involves constructing a retaining wall. Damage was caused by earthquakes and worsened the fact that the structure was constructed on a steep slope. Support has been gained through a Goldman Grant and matched by support from the Rainforest Information Centre (RIC) in Australia. We're also working with COPDANET to develop a proposal to support a needed water supply project for Dalit communities without potable water supply near Pulicat Lake in Tamil Nadu.
From Jim Enright mapasia@loxinfo.co.th
==========
MAP’s Mangrove Curriculum Moving Forward Towards New Horizons
The ‘Marvelous Mangroves’ curriculum is an innovative program that cuts across traditional educational disciplines, incorporating social, science, art, and language studies. As such, the resulting outcomes of its implementation, whether through poetry, role-playing, community service projects, or song, are no less than transformative. Children begin to reflect on the role that they play, as well as that of their families, and their communities, as components of the mangrove ecosystem, in addition to the importance that mangroves play in their lives. This transformation is not limited to the children immersed in the Curriculum, but spreads slowly, but surely, to their families, their communities, and beyond. The students mature to be active citizens, empowered and mobilized, and their ability to articulate their needs and opinions is strengthened. A whole generation of decision makers is prepared and emboldened to influence public policy that conserves and protects mangroves and associated ecosystems.
Marvelous Mangroves’ Curriculum and Teachers Resource Guide
For ten years prior to moving to the Cayman Islands, MAP’s Education Director, Martin Keeley, was Executive Director of the Friends of Boundary Bay – a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Ladner, in the Fraser River delta near Vancouver, Canada. There he directed the work of 16 teachers, together with naturalist interpreters, to research, develop, publish and implement a unique wetlands education program called the Traveling Wetlands Roadshow.
By the time he left Canada in 1998, the program had been delivered to over 30,000 students in more than 300 schools in 45 communities throughout British Columbia and northern Washington State. During that time, the Roadshow received critical acclaim, as well as many awards, and was formally incorporated into the B.C. science curriculum.
The “formula” utilized by the Roadshow proved so successful that it was subsequently used as the basis for adapting the wetlands program for use in mangrove (tropical and subtropical) wetland communities. And what is the “formula”? It can be summarized as follows:
-Involve local teachers and scientists in the development and application of the content and all materials;
-Ensure that all the materials are curriculum-based or linked;
-Include lots of hands-on activities;
-Get the kids outdoors;
-Provide classroom follow-up materials and resources;
-Teach the teachers through lots of workshops; and
-Make the learning processes simple and fun.
This formula was applied to the Cayman Islands, where the Mangrove Curriculum and Teachers Resource Guide was developed, tested, written, illustrated, and produced during a three-year period. Guided by full-time teacher Mr. Keeley, the curriculum was adapted from the Roadshow using hands-on, science-based programs and activities that have been developed and used by educators throughout North America during the past 25 years. During the development process the curriculum was adapted and extensively field-tested by teachers at all three primary and one high school on Cayman Brac, one of the smaller Cayman Islands in the Caribbean.
The curriculum has now been incorporated into the Cayman Islands syllabus, and has been successfully delivered to over 6,000 students at every primary school in the Caymans. Marvelous Mangroves in the Cayman Islands was also introduced to local Cayman teachers through a series of teacher workshops.
Following standard environmental education curriculum principles, the Mangrove Resource Guide provides teachers with +/-300 pages of information and hands-on activities, covering everything from migrating birds and the properties of water, to what to do and find on a mangrove field trip. It concludes with what students can do to help protect and preserve mangrove habitat in their own communities. The guide is based on the latest scientific information and is beautifully illustrated with artist renderings of the flora and fauna of mangrove systems.
MAP’s goal is to adapt and introduce the curriculum, in partnership with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Education and Environmental Ministries, throughout tropical and subtropical coastal regions. To date, the MAP Mangrove Resource Guide has been requested by teacher’s groups in 20 nations. The translation and adaptation process, however, is long and arduous, as it is necessary to assure that material in the guide relates specifically to the region in which it will be used. For example, the Caribbean version could not be simply translated into a local language for use in African nations, as the curriculum covers not only mangrove ecosystems, including topics such as migratory birds, shellfish and other related species, but also human impacts, and each adaptation must be geared to a specific region. Furthermore, cultural diversity must be taken into account so that activities and programs within the curriculum are as culturally as they are scientifically sound, while at the same time considering the local realities in which teachers find themselves and the availability, or lack of, teaching resources. Following the well-established and extremely successful principles found in environmental education programs such as Projects WILD and WET, MAP is working to spread the curriculum in concentric circles outside of the Caribbean in order to ensure the adaptations are logical and cumulative.
Since 2002, adaptations and introduction have taken place in four countries. The blueprint or formula for the introduction of the curriculum into each country follows a standard pattern, with room for flexibility. MAP’s Education Director, Martin Keeley, works in partnership with MAP’s regional coordinator and a local environmental NGO to form a Working Group (WG), which includes local teachers, scientists, and educators. It is MAP’s experience that educators must be involved in adapting the materials to suit their own, local curriculum. By integrating it with existing local science, social studies, and/or language arts curricula, MAP is able to ensure that the materials and teaching techniques are used in the classroom on a regular basis. In Sri Lanka, for example, MAP’s local partner, the Small Fisheries Federation (SFFL), brought in university biology teachers who were able to work on getting local school examinations (GCE - the British system) to develop a section covering mangrove ecology in their science exams. This form of institutionalization will outlive individual efforts, as teachers recognize they must teach content related to mangroves ecosystems as part of their jobs!
MAP stresses the need for local NGO partners to hire or appoint an education coordinator who will be responsible for the overall coordination of the project in their respective country, and who will work closely with the MAP regional coordinator. Initially, this means working with MAP to secure in-country matching funds. Once funding is secured and the WG is established, a workshop is scheduled to meet with MAP’s Education Director to determine the focus and basic content that will be required for adaptation of the curriculum. The WG then coordinates the translation and adaptation process, culminating in the publication of the materials to be used in the local education system.
In 2002 and 2003 the curriculum was adapted and translated into Spanish for introduction into Honduran schools, in collaboration with MAP partner NGO CODDEFFAGOLF (ComitÈ para la Defensa y Desarrollo de la Flora y Fauna del Golfo de Fonseca).
Concurrently, it was adapted for the Colombian-owned San Andres/Old Providence archipelago in the southwestern Caribbean with partner CORALINA (The Corporation for the Sustainable Development of the Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence and Santa Catalina). It was first introduced there in teacher workshops in 2002. That same year in Sri Lanka, MAP worked with NGO partner SFFL to introduce the curriculum to that country.
In 2005, Guatemala became the fifth country in which MAP has worked on the curriculum adaptation, collaborating with local NGO Amigos del Bosque. The curriculum has been introduced to some 80 teachers during three workshops held on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala (April, June, and September, 2006). The first workshop was carried out by Mr. Keeley, the second two by Amigos del Bosque staff working with teachers who had been trained in the first workshop.
Plans are underway for the curriculum to be introduced to eastern (Caribbean) Guatemala and Honduras in 2007. This will be carried out using the same local partners as previously, and will also incorporate a full evaluation (based on classroom observation and teacher interviews) of how the curriculum is currently being implemented in the schools of both countries, seeking suggestions for improvement.
Based on the experience accumulated through the adaptation and implementation of the curriculum in five different countries, MAP is now embarking on a challenging journey to adapt the mangrove curriculum/teachers resource guide for Brazil, home to the second largest area of mangroves in the world. Translation to Portuguese has just recently been completed and planning is now underway to adapt the curriculum for use in Brazil using the same blueprint MAP developed for previous countries.
From: Martin Keeley mangrove@candw.ky and Elaine Corets manglar@comcast.net
==========
“Mangrove Forest Ecology, Management and Restoration" training workshop, March 5-8, 2007, Hollywood, Florida.
The fifth "Mangrove Forest Ecology, Management and Restoration" training workshop will be held at the Anne Kolb Nature Center, in Hollywood, Florida, USA, March 5-8, 2007. The training site is within a 500 ha mangrove restoration project at West Lake Park operated by Broward County. The award-winning project was designed by Roy R. "Robin" Lewis III, who will be teaching the course.
The workshop includes an introduction to mangrove forest ecology, management options and problems, and restoration design issues. The class programs are all given in a PowerPoint format, and each student is provided with a print out of the presentation and additional handouts including monitoring reports for typical restoration projects. Case studies of 5 successful mangrove restoration projects, and several unsuccessful projects, are discussed. Field trips are taken within the 500 ha West Lake Park mangrove restoration project (now 17 years old) and a new project just four years old, for a comparison.
The emphasis is on cost-effective successful mangrove management and restoration, and cost figures for typical projects are discussed and explained. The hydrologic restoration of mangroves is emphasized as the best approach to successful restoration at minimal cost (see Erftemeijer and Lewis 2000; Lewis 1999, 2000a, 2000b, 2005; Lewis and Marshall 1998; Lewis and Streever 2000; Lewis et al. 2005, Stevenson et al. 1999; and Turner and Lewis 1997, for further discussion about hydrologic restoration of mangroves). Planting of mangroves is discussed in light of the many failures of this alone to successfully restore mangroves.
Cost for the course not including travel to Ft. Lauderdale, lodging or food is $750, due by January 1, 2007. Two qualified students will be allowed to attend for free, and can apply at any time for the two fee-waived positions. This course is organized by the Coastal Resources Group, Inc., and will be taught in conjunction with the Mangrove Action Project.
More information can be provided by Robin Lewis at LESRRL3@aol.com and www.mangroverestoration.com.
From: LESrrl3@aol.com
==========
Start Your New Year Right With A MAP 2007 Calendar!
Don't delay in ordering your new MAP 2007 children's mangrove art calendar before they run out, we have limited stock on hand and they are always in great demand.†In addition, they make wonderful stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts, so order in time to receive them before the end of the year. Better yet, give a gift membership to MAP along with the calendar.....
Yes, MAP's new Children's Mangrove Art 2007 Calendars are now available for ordering. These calendars are produced from school art competitions from primary school children from over 12 nations. We have artwork from Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean included. Any donation of $35 or more qualifies the donor for an annual membership with a free calendar! Please give generously today!
You can help MAP stay in this fight for a mangrove future by becoming a donating subscriber today! Check our website for details or contact: mangroveap@olympus.net
Kenya
Maathai Unveils Drive to Plant a Billion Trees
All Africa
==========
Editor’s Note: The fate of these coastal zones will also include the fate of the mangroves in many of these same affected areas.
Change or perish, experts warn East African nations
By JOHN MBARIA
East Africa will turn into desert unless measures are taken to reverse the trend that has led to global warming, experts have warned.
The experts at the Climate Change Conference in Nairobi say the region's highest mountains -- Kenya and Kilimanjaro -- will lose their glaciers, leading to the drying up of most of the rivers emanating from the two mountains.
They also say that many coastal areas, including much of the infrastructure in East Africa and elsewhere on the continent will be submerged if governments, industry and the society do not take concrete steps to reverse the ongoing changes in the climate.
This message is contained in a new report on the impact, vulnerability and adaptation in Africa, released prior to the conference by the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The report says that 70 million people in Africa will be affected as the sea level rises by 15 to 95 centimetres by the dawn of the next century.
In East Africa, the sea rise will mostly affect residents of Dar es Salaam, where a rise of 50 cm would submerge as much as 2,000 sq km of land in Tanzania costing the country around $50 million.
In Southern Africa, Mozambique's capital Maputo and South Africa's Cape Town are likely to suffer the same fate.
Besides, Africa's coastal zones are likely to suffer from a reduction in the number and species of fish, salt water intrusion and loss of beaches and, consequently, tourism revenues.
Source: The East African
From: Samudra icsf@icsf.net
==========
Togo, (W. Africa)
Small Grant From GGF to Togo NGO
I would like to thank MAP, on the behalf of our NGO "Association Nationale des Consommateurs et de l'Environnement du Togo" (ANCE-Togo), for your recommendation to Global Greengrants Fund (GGF) which provided to our organisation a small grant to implement some activities for sustainable conservation of mangroves of Togo.
Best regards.
Dr Ebeh Adayade Kodjo, Executive Coordinator From: NGO ANCE-TOGO ance-togo@cooperation.net
==========
The Gambia (W. Africa)
Last Christmas I gave you a goat, this year it‚s mangroves and monkeys
An innovative range of charitable gifts has been launched this month by GEPADG and PAGEANT, two small, grass-roots charitable organisations working in The Gambia, West Africa. See www.pageant.org.uk/gifts.htm
Gifts range from just £5 for a pair of boots for a forest warden, to £300 for a solar panel and storage batteries to provide lasting power and contribute to tackling climate
change. £10 will buy a bag of mangrove seedlings that will be planted to regenerate areas of mangrove forest around a coastal lagoon. Mangroves are a refuge for many species of birds and animals and are also a vital resource for the people of Gunjur. They protect the coastline from storms, act as a nursery for young fish and provide products such as charcoal, timber & honey.
Other gifts include:
- Carpentry tools to make beehives so that local women can produce honey in the mangroves, providing them with a source of income and an incentive to conserve these habitats
- Spades, rakes and wheelbarrows for use in beach sweeping, village cleaning days and tree planting exercises
- One month‚s salary for one of GEPADG‚s two volunteers, who work hard patrolling the forests and coastal areas on a purely voluntary basis because there are no funds to pay them with
- Donations to a monkey conservation programme
GEPADG is an NGO based in The Gambia, run entirely by Gambians seeking to improve their local environment, which has been damaged by deforestation and drought. Their work includes planting mangroves, protecting turtles and patrolling community forests. They have made impressive progress, powered by the enthusiasm and genuine passion of founder Badara Bajo and his colleagues.
GEPADG also offer volunteering opportunities and bird-watching facilities in The Gambia.
PAGEANT is a UK charity working to improve the lives of Gambian children by assisting with education.
The gifts are unique because of the impressively direct link achieved between the donor and the work being done in The Gambia. Such a direct link can only be achieved by grass-roots organisations with a strong local presence. The gifts have been chosen to reflect exactly what these organisations need most, in contrast to the more generalist gifts offered by larger organisations. Gifts are bought in The Gambia whenever possible, to benefit the local economy and reduce the ”gift miles” traveled.
From: Lawrence, Keith Keith.Lawrence@jacobs.com
Thailand
Bangkok Post Oct.25, 2006
GULF OF THAILAND / SEVERE COASTAL EROSION
Mangrove forests to be grown
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN
Mangrove forests will be grown in five coastal provinces along the Gulf of Thailand, including Bangkok, to slow down coastal erosion, which each year eats up around 12 metres of shoreline. The Marine and Coastal Resources Department's acting director-general Samran Rakchart said a 41-million-baht budget would be distributed among local administration organisations in five provinces _ Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi and Bangkok _ where coastal erosion was said to be severe.
''Mangroves have proven to be an effective tool in protecting the shoreline from erosion,'' said Mr Samran, citing the mangroves plantation project that helped stop coastal erosion in Samut Sakhon province.
A study by the Mineral Resources Department has found that coastal erosion was destroying more than 12 metres of land along the coast of the Gulf of Thailand each year. The worst-hit areas were Bangkok's Bang Khunthian district, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram provinces.
So far, Bangkok has lost over 1,500 rai of land to coastal erosion, according to the study. The mangroves would also serve as a breeding ground for marine species, thus increasing marine life populations, said Mr Samran.
Villagers will first be instructed to build a bamboo wall along the shoreline as a natural barrier to minimise the clash between sea water and the shore, which will also help trap soil behind the bamboo wall. When the soil becomes thick enough, young mangrove trees will be planted there, Mr Samran explained.
Under the project, a total of 51km of mangrove forests would be created along the shoreline of the five targeted provinces. However, since most of the coastal lands are privately owned, the department would have to first negotiate with the land owners and ask them to sacrifice some of their land for the purpose.
Meanwhile, Worawoot Tantiwanit, of the Mineral Resources Department, said the agency was currently doing an in-depth study of coastal erosion along the beaches of the three southern provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Songkhla that stretch for nearly 300km.
He said the three-year project aims to collect scientific information about coastal erosion and find the most appropriate way to tackle the problem.
==========
THE NATION Oct.25, 2006
Mangroves boosted to control erosion
Published on Oct 25, 2006
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is to spend Bt41million nurturing mangrove forests around five coastal provinces in the Gulf of Thailand to try and prevent coastal erosion, which has already eaten away some land.
"Studies have shown that mangrove forest is effective in preventing coastal erosion," Marine and Coastal Resources Department director-general Samran Rakchart said yesterday.
Samran said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Kasem Sanidwong Na Ayudhaya had assigned his ministry to tackle the coastal erosion problem, which was serious in the coastal provinces of Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Phetchaburi and Bangkok.
According to Samran, Thailand's mangrove forests have drastically shrunk from 2.3 million rai in 2003 to 1.5 million rai today.
On other policies, Samran said his department has been instructed to regulate marine tourism to ensure that the huge number of tourists who arrive during the high season do not cause problems to popular sites.
From: mapasia@loxinfo.co.th
==========
The NATION, Nov.28, 2006
US call to drop shrimp case rejected
Thailand has insisted that it will continue to pursue a complaint lodged with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the United States for employing unfair trade practices against Thai shrimp exporters, despite a US request to cancel the petition.
The complaint relates to a practice called zeroing, under which sales that could reduce or remove margins are not counted.
Chutima Bunyapraphasara, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said Friday that Thailand was confident of winning the case. Although Washington has offered to review its zeroing calculation methods if the case is withdrawn, she said Thailand would follow the complaint through because the US practice clearly violates WTO regulations.
The Thai petition accuses the US of implementing dual trade protection measures against Thai shrimp since March this year through a continuous bond and an anti-dumping duty.
If Thailand succeeds in having zeroing removed the dumping duties on Thai shrimp entering the US would probably be heavily reduced or removed.
The WTO is considering setting up a panel with representatives from India, Mexico, Brazil, China, Chile and the European Union to review the case in January next year.
From: mapasia@loxinfo.co.th
==========
Vietnam
Vietnam ranks sixth among top ten aquaculture producers
Vietnam ranks sixth among the world's top ten aquaculture producers, according to a report released recently by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
China tops the list with the volume and earnings from aquatic products making up 70 per cent and 51 per cent of the world's total, respectively. India comes second, making up 4.2 per cent in terms of the volume and value.
The area under aquaculture in Vietnam is rather large, according to statistics from the Vietnam Ministry of Fisheries. Currently, shrimp rearing acreage in 23 coastal provinces across the country reaches roughly 660,000 hectares, mostly for exports.
Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Prime Minister has approved a program to boost seafood exports till 2010 and orientations till 2020. The fisheries sector targets to earn US$4-4.5 billion from exports with an annual growth rate of nine per cent by 2010.
By 2020, seafood will remain one of Vietnam's key export items and its seafood processing technology will be on par with that of developed countries
To fulfill the targets, the fisheries sector will continue to boost export of value-added products and gradually reduce the proportion of unprocessed exports.
Source: Thanh Nien
From: Samudra icsf@icsf.net
India
Save Hukaharaniya River Project/ Save the Sundarban
Development Policy in Sundarbans: Ecology in Peril
Recently in the Indian part of Sundarbans the Government of West Bengal has started a number of projects that extend over the districts of 24 Parganas (South) and 24 Parganas (North) of the state. Among those the Hukaharania Jaladhar project in the Kultali block of 24 Parganas (South) have already created strong hue and cry among the environmentalists and common people of Sundarbans. The Hukaharania Reservoir project, is going to be implemented by building up two earthen obstructions (cross dykes) on the natural tidal flow of the river at two points of the river at the distance of nearly 2 kms totally stopping the flow of the river for the creation of a stagnant waterbed to be used for rainwater harvesting and as a sweet water reservoir. This Reservoir is claimed to be used for the purpose of irrigation in the adjoining area and pisciculture within the pond. The Project has been launched by the Kultali Panchayat Samithy and approved and supervised by the Sundarbans Development Board, a body appointed by the Government of West Bengal. The planned cost of the project is about Rs. 14 lakh(only the cost of constructing two cross dykes at two points of the river) which is being funded by the Asian Development Bank.
Importance of the Project Location
River Hukaharaniya is situated in the Kultali Block of the District 24 Parganas(South), West Bengal, India and connects two important rivers of Sundarbans viz. River Thakuaran and Makri, a branch of River Matla. It is worthwhile to mention that the river Hukaharaniya is a part and parcel of the brackish water river network in the dynamic delta forming areas of Sundarbans having the unique estuarine environment with the circumscribing belt of mangrove vegetations and having the aquatic flora and fauna which have made the Sundarbans one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world. Amid the vast river network of Sundarbans that falls in India, Thakuran and Matla are two very important and large sea bound rivers. The Hukaharaniya River flows meandering through an area which falls within Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, within the distance of 200 metres of a national reserve forest, viz Ajmalmari Reserve Forest, which is situated at the eastern bank of the River Makri. In the western bank of river Makri there two Mouzas(group of villages) viz. Madhya Gurguria and Debipur in a large deltaic island which is bisected by the river hukaharaniya, emanting from Thakuran( at the eastern side of the island) and joining the river Makri. This deltaic island being in the close proximity of the core area of Sundarbans and itself within the buffer area, in spite of being reclaimed earlier, retains almost all the characteristic features of the deltaic islands of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve. The tigers in the Ajmalmari Reserve forest often cross the river Makri to enter the localities for easy prey, particularly near the Bainchapri Forest Office situated in the nearby Purba Gurguria Mouza.
The Earlier View
In the earlier decades, the mangals (mangrove jungles) in these areas were indiscriminately cut and denuded; the rivers, creeks and channels were closed or diverted to reclaim lands for human habitation or cultivation. Large riverbeds and mudflats were used for brackish water aqua culture particularly of world famous tiger prawn, a special product off this area. Reclamation of mudflats for the extremely profitable business of shrimp culture fisheries (bheris) or for the establishment of brick-kilns was rampant. The brick fields and bheris flourished all over the deltaic regions of Sundarbans, encroaching into the riverbeds at the cost of impeding the natural flow of the rivers or channels. These had an extremely adverse effect on the eco- system of Sundarbans in particular and the environment and river dynamics in general. This caused premature siltation of many rivers apart from other river dynamical problems. This also caused sharp decay in the process of growth of mangroves which germinate in the mudflats of these estuarine rivers and show best growth in an aquatic environment where there is admixture of saline water from the sea and sweet water from the upper beds of the river basin. Even at the government initiative many channels, creeks or rivers were blocked by dykes or sluice gates for the purpose of making sweet water reservoirs or dams for fishery or irrigation. However, the example of Piyali Dam on the river Piyali (a distributary of the river Matla) in the north-eastern part of the Kultali Block, showed the futility of such projects and it has created a lot of environmental problems in the area. Above all, man has reclaimed a large part of the Sundarbans through intervention into the natural processes much before it turned into mature landmasses through completion of the delta formation process.
Dawn of the Environmental Awareness
In the last two or three of decades, the awareness regarding the necessity and importance of preserving and protecting the fragile ecosystem of the Sundarbans has arose and many scientific studies on various environmental parameters that preserve and maintain the ecological balance have been undertaken. The obvious negative consequences of various such government projects and private initiatives to exploit the natural resources of Sundarbans have led all concerned to think twice before taking up any new project in this area. The concerned scientific community consistently pleaded to leave the natural delta formation process as much as undisturbed by continuous human intervention for fulfilling the immediate interests neglecting the far fetched consequences. In order to stop the indiscriminate exploitation of the natural resources of Sundarbans the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has described the Reserve Forests along with the reclaimed portions, which very much retain the characteristics of the dynamic deltaic region and the biodiversity, these areas, together as the Sundarban Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1989. The growing awareness and environment movement throughout the world have played an important role in this direction. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has also included it in the World Heritage List in 1987.The Sundarban Biosphere Reserve has been included in the list of Ramsar sites in the famous Ramsar Convention. Moreover, it is recognized as one of 21 most pollution-free zones in the world.
Why Mangroves Are So Important
The mangals of the Sundarbans act as the lungs of the thickly populated city of Kolkata and the vast suburbs around and attract rain over a large area of the southern part of West Bengal. Apart from that the mangrove habitation / vegetation have the following importance :(a) It is an integral part of Sundarban Bio-sphere Reserve and plays its role in maintaining ecological balance and bio-diversity. (b)It helps arresting soil erosion. (c) It acts as a buffer during cyclone, tsunami etc. where there is the chance of devastating tidal waves. (d) The fallen leaves of mangroves after decomposition in saline water creates a unique food for the fishes that grow in this saline water environment. That is why the rivers of Sundarbans with Mangrove jungles on their banks have become one of the richest breeding and spawing ground for the fishes and other aquatic fauna.
Why Rivers Should Be Left Undisturbed
The criss-cross river pattern that allows flow of water through various channels is the natural formation in Sundarbans to absorb the large pressure of tidal ingress during the high tides and drainage of the sweet water of the upper beds of the gangetic plane into the sea during low tides. In this river network while there are large north - south flowing sea-bound rivers at the same time there are innumerable east-west flowing channels connecting the larger rivers. The law of Nature alone guides the existence of each river – big and small, and each one has its specific role to perform in this integral river network. The obstruction of the natural flow of even a relatively small river connecting two larger ones disturbs the balance, and this imbalance is bound to disturb the delta formation system and cause serious ecological imbalance in the nearby areas in various ways like causing erosion, siltation of river beds, flooding and inundation of the land during large tidal waves particularly in the months of August and September, water logging and drainage congestion during the rainy season etc. That apart, in such an integral river system, even a small local change in the natural process has a global effect and that have the potential to cause a major change over a large area.
The Laws framed by Indian Government
The importance of mangroves, the role of rivers and the necessity of preserving the Biosphere considered as a whole have been taken into account by the Government of India while enacting various Acts during the last three decades like Water (Prevention and Control Pollution) Act, 1974; The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991 etc. While the reserve forests in Sundarbans are in the jurisdiction of the Department of Forests, Government of West Bengal, the Sundarban Development Board has been created to protect and preserve this eco-system in the reclaimed area and make arrangements for sustainable development of the Biosphere Reserve.
The Law Makers And the Law Breakers
But in spite of much hue and cry of protecting the Sundarbans, and introduction of newer and newer laws and statutes, the guardians of law, the implementing agencies of the government, instead of protecting the environment and natural eco-systems in the greater interest of the people they are serving the vested interests. The manner in which the Hukaharaniya Water Reservoir Project has been taken up and implemented clearly reveals this fact. This project has been taken up with the obvious purpose to serve the vested interests with the ulterior motive to reclaim the mudflats at the two sides of the river and convert a living river into a saline water fishery (Bheri).
Let us consider the so-called Hukaharania Reservoir Project taken up by the Kultali Panchayat Samithy and approved by the Sundarbans Development Board in this backdrop. There is a large delta through which the river Hukaharaniya flows is within these two rivers Makri and Thakuran, is of length of about 20 kms stretched in north-south and a population of about 40,000. There were at least 6 other channels that had connected the Thakuran and the Makri in the earlier periods. They have now ceased to exist as tidal rivers/channels as they were blocked at the two ends long ago, before emergence of this environmental consciousness, by sluice gates and embankments as a part of the process of reclamation. As a result the beds of these rivers had been converted into agricultural land, fisheries or stagnant ponds. The relatively larger rivers like Petkulchand and Hukaharania had been spared due to regular and larger flow of water. An important road about 70 km long situated in the Kultali block from Herobhanga to Kishorimohanpur crosses the river Hukaharaniya near Hukaharania Hat (market) near the Makri end of the river. Along this road near Hukaharaniya Hat there was a wooden bridge on concrete pillars without causing obstruction to the natural flow of the river and plying of the country made and mechanized boats. Now as a part of implementation of this Hukaharaniya Reservoir Project the bridge has been replaced by an earthen cross dyke (Dyke-1, see photograph) and the other end at the point of emanation of the river Hukaharaniya from river Thakuran is also blocked by such a cross dyke (Dyke-2, see photograph).
Why the Scheme is Against Ecology, Environment and Public Interest?
1. Due to blocking of the River Hukaharaniya at its divergence point of Thakuran, the siltation rate of the river bed of Thakuran, in the immediate vicinity of the cross dyke will be rapidly enhanced. Siltation of these riverbeds, however small might be, will hamper the drainage of the excessive water during the rainy season causing flood in the upper basin.
2. The Hukaharania in particular serves as a suitable water transport route throughout the year used by the common people to reach nearest college and hospital and bus route to Kolkata situated at Roydighi, within a short time. The local fishermen used the channel to go to Matla and Bay of Bengal for fishing and reach the important market places like Dhaki or Roydighi to sell their catches. The obstruction would cause inconvenience to thousands of people, as there is no other better transport.
3. Even if the traditional riverine transport is replaced by road transport that too will cause enhancement of the AAQ parameters (Ambient Air Quality parameters), which is not at all desirable in the Sundarbans, worlds one of the most pollution free zones.
4. Though the purpose of the project is ostensibly to supply sweet water for cultivation as well as for fishery, the blockade of the natural passage of water is bound to leave the stretch of land on both the sides of the river including hundreds of acres of arable land inundated by water in the rainy season. This has already happened during the current rainy season.(See photographs of overflowing of flood water during the equinox tides on 12th August 2006).
5. As the project is in the close proximity of the Ajmalmari Reserve Forest, it is very likely to produce some direct and indirect impact detrimental to the health of the reserve forest.
6. As a result of the construction works of the project there is deforestation of mangroves on the banks of river Hukaharaniya, the leftover roots of which are still prominently visible. Apart from that due to obstruction of the tidal flow, the existing mangrove vegetations on the mudflats of the river Hukaharaniya will suffer. This will only cause a great disturbance to the natural environment.
7. The river Hukaharaniya, during low tides, carried water from upper bed, i.e. comparatively sweet water to Makri, to which it is a tributary. Blocking of Hukaharaniya River would reduce the sweet water recharge of Makri and the Mangrove community of the Ajmalmari Reserve Forest.
8. Due to obstruction of the river flow already in three places adjacent to the cross dykes rapid embankment erosion has started (see photographs) threatening embankment failures and flooding of the entire catchment areas.
9. Due to drainage congestion in the area adjacent to the project already there had been large-scale damage of paddy seedlings during the cultivation season.
10. The local fishermen dependent on sea fishing have lost their employment and are on verge of ruination due to this project.
11. The Roydighi Motorboat Owners’ Association had regular ferry services from Nagenabad to Roydighi( via Hukaharaniya) and Hukaharaniya Market to Roydighi that has been stopped due to the construction.
The Attempt to Save river Hukaharaniya
In view of these disastrous consequences of this Scheme the voice of protests on behalf of the people of the locality and around rose high. Many local clubs, science organization like Breakthrough Science Society, semi charitable organization, Calcutta Heart Clinic and Hospital(organizing free Medical Camps among the poor fishermen of that locality) etc. came forward to mobilize public opinion and save the river Hukaharaniya, lifeline of the locality. Renowned engineers, environmentalists and scientists including a number of former officials of highest stature of the Irrigation and Waterways Directorate, Government of West Bengal visited the site in February 2005 and expressed their concern about an irreversible and irreparable damage to environment. A convention was called in the month of April 2005, where experts of related disciplines again confirmed in presence of thousands aggrieved public the possibility of a disaster if such a project were implemented. From that Convention forming a committee coordinating all the concerned clubs and organizations the ‘Save Hukaharaniya River Project’ was launched. The Save Hukaharaniya River Movement had developed in this way through various programme and the Save Hukaharaniya River Project also was launched by the representatives of the environmental organisations and local people.
At the same time, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by the ‘South Sundarnan Matsyajibi and Matsya Karmachari Union’ (South Sundarban Fishermen and Fish Workers’ Union) and other local people under the auspices of the Save Hukaharaniya River Project, at the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court praying for rejection of the Hukaharaniya Water Reservoir project entirely, and restoration of the river to its original position. The proceedings of the case revealed certain aspects of illegality of the Scheme that is noted below:
Why the Scheme is Illegal?
i) The Ministry of Environment and Forests, of the Government of India, has declared all coastal stretches enjoying regular tidal inundation by sea water as protected, and all activities herein subject to regulation, under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification. The area falls within CRZ Category-1. The scheme is contrary to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification issued under the Environment Protection Act and Rules. As per the CRZ Notification such an activity of ‘reclamation, bunding, disturbing the natural course of sea water’’ in the CRZ-1 area falls under the category of prohibited activities. Further, any construction activity within the 500 meterees of the High Tide Line in eco- sensitive areas like this is also totally prohibited.
ii) The impugned scheme is also contrary to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as admitted in the report of the Pollution Control Board filed in the High Court on 2nd February 2005 so far as ‘maintaining and restoring the wholesomeness of the water body” is concerned, not only by restricting the flow but also by changing the chemical character of the water on which the aquatic flora and fauna was dependent.
iii) Such a blocking of a river and that too at such a ecologically and environmentally fragile and delicate area like the Sundarbans is also violative of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and rules framed there under.
iv) Implementation of the scheme/project has been started without any prior Environment Impact Assessment and Public Hearing in utter violation of the provisions of the EIA Notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and without any proper environmental clearance by the competent authorities. Virtually there was no proper scheme, no proper study of the constraints involved before proceeding with the scheme.
v) There is admitted violation of the Bengal Embankment Act, 1882 since no permission has been obtained from any competent authority in charge of Embankments and also contrary to the Bengal Irrigation Act, 1876 since the scheme has been commenced without any prior notification in the official gazette, allowing objections from the suffering community.
vi) Although the scheme was declared as an irrigation scheme no clearance was taken or prior consultation was made with the Department of Irrigation and Waterways, government of West Bengal. The Department of Irrigation and Waterways commented that proper study is required before proceeding with any such project. State Governments All Out Attempt to Get the illegal Scheme Passed In January 2005 the Public interest Litigation, WP 1048 of 2005, was filed against this disastrous project in Calcutta High Court. The Hon’ble Division Bench of Calcutta High Court ordered spot inquiry by WBPCB and other concerned Departments. The reports revealed the anomalies and illegalities involved in the scheme mentioned above. The Division Bench of The Calcutta High Court led by Hon’ble Justice Altamas Kabir issued stay order over the project. But the Government Authorities had been waiting for change of determination of the Division Bench. Justice Kabir was transferred to a different High Court in the second week of March 2005. A changed Bench on 18th march 2005 lifted the stay order in spite of there being no new material in the court to consider otherwise, and allowed the construction without finally disposing the case. When the authorities were trying to hurriedly complete the illegal project the petitioners filed a Special Leave Petition SLP11333 of 2005 and afterwards Transfer Petition TP742 of 2005 in the Supreme Court of India and the Division Bench of Supreme Court of India led by Hon’ble Justice Y. K Sabbarwal on 8th August 2005 ordered Status Quo as regards construction. Now through an order on 21st January this year the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has remanded the case to Calcutta High Court for final disposal with two weeks extension of the order of Status Quo as regards construction. The Hon’ble Green Bench of the Calcutta High Court extended the status quo order of Supreme Court and the final hearing of the matter has been going on since 1st September 2006 and the hearing still continues. Influencing the Administrative Machinery to Legalise the Illegal While according to the Indian environmental laws implementation of any project should proceed strictly after obtaining clearance from the appropriate and competent authorities, the government authorities, after intervention of the courts are trying to show that the river Hukaharaniya is a totally dried channel (which has been opposed by the reports of different government departments) and are using all their powers and influences in administration to obtain the poste facto clearance of this utterly illegal scheme after nearly one and half year of beginning of the implementation process of the scheme. And that attempt is being allowed in the name of public interest! Government Departments, funded academic institutions, and even judicial administration are being used as tools to fabricate reports, manufacture documents in order to determine the outcome of the case.
Whatever might be the reason behind and the interests involved, if such an attempt to kill such a living river is allowed it will create an extremely undesirable precedence and many such rivers and channels will be blocked to be used for such purposes.
We appeal to all concerned including environmentalists, geologists, technologists, engineers, river specialists, meteorologists, biologists, and social activists to rise in protest against such a myopic project guided by the motive of immediate profit by a small group out of a public property and also with a far-reaching irreversible consequence to one of the most ecologically sensitive zones in the world, i.e. the Sundarbans and save the river Hukaharaniya. The poor people of Sundarbans and the poor fishermen are finding it difficult to bear the astronomical expenses of contesting the case in the Calcutta High Court, the Supreme Court and again in Calcutta High Court against the state government with all its financial, political and administrative power. Whatever might be the result of the case in Calcutta we will have to finally contest the case in the Supreme Court. The huge expenditure which the poor fishermen, deprived of their occupation for the last one and half years, and the common people of the area have borne to contest the case since January 2005 have now become completely exhausted. Apart from that there is the necessity and importance of developing the environmental movement involving the masses. We also solicit your all kinds of cooperation including advices, appropriate references, propaganda of the issue, legal advice and assistance as well as monetary help to the best of your ability to help us to continue the legal battle along with building up people’s movements.
NB.For further communications in this regard contact
Sourav Mukherjee
Coordinator
Save Hukaharaniya River Project
Society for Protection of Public Interest and Environment in Sundarbans
South Sundarban Fishermen and Fishworkers’ Union
Roydighi, 24 Parganas (South), West Bengal, India
Contact Address: C/O Breakthrough Science Society 9,
Creek Row, Kolkata-700014, West Bengal,
India
Contact Phone Number: +919433122603
E mail:smukherjee_06@yahoo.co.in
***ACTION ALERT!!!*** Please Write Letters:
Addressed tgo the following three government officials:
1.†††††††††††††† President of India, Rastrapati Bhawan, New Delhi:e-mail:presidentofindia@rb.nic.in
2.†††††††††††††† Minister for Environment and Forests, Government of India, Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, New Delhi:e-mail:mef@nic.in, Fax:+91-11-2436-2222
3.†††††††††††††† Governor of West Bengal: Raj Bhawan, Kolkata: e-mail:governor@wb.nic.in, Fax:+91-33-2200-2444††††
Sample Letter
Nov. 25, 2006
Dear President Rastrapati Bhawan,
Since January 2005, the Sundarban Development Board, Government of West Bengal, has launched a project, viz. Hukaharaniya Jaladhar(Hukaharaniya Water Reservoir) in the Kultali block of the District 24Parganas(South), West Bengal, which attempts to convert a living estuarine tidal river/channel Hukaharaniya, situated in the vicinity of the Ajmalmari Reserve Forest(within a distance of 200 metres) of Sundarbans into a sweet water pond. The declared objective of the scheme is to harvest rainwater for irrigation in the locality. The area falls within the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve and Coastal Regulation Zone (category-1) areas notified by the Central Government to be an extremely sensitive and important ecological zone.
Sundarban is a World Heritage and Ramsar Site. To save and preserve the natural eco-system in the Sundarbans is not the concern of the local people alone, but of any person concerned for environment and ecology. The Save Hukaharaniya River Project is an attempt of the local fishermen and people concerned for environment to save the small but important river/channel Hukaharaniya. We appeal to the environmental organizations and environmentally concerned benevolent persons to come forward to assist the endeavor to save the river Hukaharaniya in all possible ways.
Thanking You
From: Sourav Mukherjee smukherjee_06@yahoo.co.in
==========
Bangladesh
Untold Realities: How the ADB Safeguards have been violated in Bangladesh, India, Lao PDR and Pakistan.
NGO Forum on ADB's latest publication is now available. "Untold Realities" is a compilation of five case studies from India, Pakistan, Lao PDR and Bangladesh. It shows how the ADB safeguard policies are implemented on the ground. Specifically, "Untold Realities" shows how violations of existing ADB safeguards continue to contribute to the degradation of the environment and sufferings of the people.
Click for a digital copy of the publication.
From: BanglaPraxis banglapraxis@gmail.com
==========
Shrimp worth nearly $30 mn stockpiled in Bangladesh godowns
Shrimps worth about Tk 200 crore (US$29,051,399) have been stockpiled in the godowns of some 30 exporting organizations in Khulna, Bangladesh, as shipment remained halted for four days from November 12 due to the siege programme enforced by the Awami League-led 14-party combine.
Shrimp exporters and Mongla port sources said it would take at least one week for the export of frozen shrimps to become normal. But if the blockade programme resumes again, the shrimps would rot, causing huge losses to the businessmen, they added. Former vice president of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Export Limited, Ferdous Alam Khan, said foreign buyers have started losing interest in doing business with Bangladesh due to the political instability. The buyers will not open letters of credit until the situation becomes normal, he said.
Chairman of Mongla Port, M Abu Taher, said a shrimp-laden ship, 'Pacific Express', left the port for Singapore before the siege programme began on November 12. There is no possibility of any shrimp export this week, he added.
The 30 exporting organizations with stockpiled shrimps worth about Tk 200 crore include Rupali Sea Food, Frozen Foods Limited, New Foods Limited, Modern Sea Food and National Sea Food.
Source: The New Nation
From: icsf@icsf.net
Saudi Arabia
Arabian Shrimp Company
Arabian Shrimp Company (ASC)--a joint venture that includes the Saudi Offset Limited Partnership [Raytheon Company, USA], Aqua Farms Corporation, Aquad Company for Commerce, and the Arab Authority for Agriculture Investment and Development--is developing a $276 million (to be dispersed over several phases), 5,000-hectare, environmentally friendly, integrated shrimp farm on the Red Sea 60 miles north of Jazan. The project, supported by the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture, will unfold in stages over the next seven years and will include high- health broodstock, a hatchery and a processing plant. Ibrahim al Mishari, chairman of ASC, said that the shrimp farm was designed to protect the pristine nature of the Red Sea. The first crop is due to enter local and international markets before the end of 2006.
The Saudi Offset Limited Partnership is a limited partnership designed to develop and fund early stage commercial ventures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The founding partners are Raytheon Company (70%) and Thales (30%)….
…Raytheon Company, a USA corporation with sales of $21.9 billion in 2005, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services and special mission aircraft. It supplied the shrimp technology and training for the project.
Arabian Shrimp Company will employ local rural women in its processing plant. Women worldwide are the preferred workers in processing plants because they do high-quality work quickly….
Excerpted From: Bob Rosenberry Shrimp News International
Email bob@shrimpnews.com
Brazil
Mangrove Future Soured By Sugar Industry
As you'll gather from the following the "Mangrove Action" has had an influence not only on me, but also the organization I work with: the Land Pastoral Commission (Comiss„o Pastoral da Terra). Aye, it's an uphill struggle and at times we feel a bit overwhelmed. I'd just like to thank "Mangrove Action" for helping me (at least!) to get my head together and be of more use to the "mangue" (mangrove) people in their struggle for dignity and their rights. The following will give a small insight into recent work.
Latterly, CPT work with homesteaders threatened with eviction has brought me into contact with the mangroves that still exist on the Pernambuco coastline.
SerinhaÈm, Ipojuca, Itapessuma: sugar cane country ... all the way down to and into the tropical sea forests - otherwise known as "mangues", mangroves (I never liked the word attachment "swamps" that siamese-twin-like accompanied the word, giving the impression that they are something "dirty" or whatever ...
... when, in fact, they are the filters of the ocean. What I am seeing these days is sugar cane right down into the mangroves and streams of herbicide/insecticide/pesticide/chemical fertilizers flowing into the mangroves. No filter in the world can deal with that sort of industrial pollution.
To get to these mangroves is no easy matter - and, in fact, taking into account the armed private militias of the sugar barons - quite dangerous as well. So: well away from being inspected by bodies like IBAMA, Companhia Pernambucana de Recursos Hidricos (CPRH), Public Ministry et al, the sugar-alcohol agro-industry literally has a "free day" in the countryside - but at a very dear/expensive cost to Mother Nature and to us, her children.
CPT Litoral recently produced "BagaÁo" ("Sugar Slaves" in its English language version). We were also partners in "WTO and the devastating effects of sugar cane production in Brasil".
Really, our voice is quite feeble - but someone must "speak against it" - the inexorable expansion of the green hell that is caused by the monoculture latifundiary model of sugar/ethanol production in Brasil.
From: Tiago Thorlby scotvik@terra.com.br
==========
Editor’s Note: Though this is a longer article than usual for the MAP News, I thought it quite important to share this with our readers, because the author has really hit home with his description of the whole shrimp farm issue in Brazil, which if reviewed clearly could represent shrimp farming in other nations. The struggle to contain this still runaway, slash and burn industry continues. It is obvious more so now as ever before that shrimp farming sttil holds its place as a major threat to mangrovs and coastal communities.
Shrimp farming: socio-environmental disaster in Northeast Brazilian mangrove ecosystems.
The shrimp farming industry takes into account only business costs, to the detriment of environmental, ecological, cultural, social, and biodiversity damages. Communities have been expelled from their traditional activities. Indians are in grave danger of losing the bases of their food and culture. Fisherfolk have been tortured, received death threats, and prevented from fishing. An immediate paralization of shrimp production activities in Areas of Permanent Protection (APP’s) and the recuperation of degraded sectors is urgently needed. And, to be sure, the denouncements and anxiety of the people of the sea must be considered, as well as their motives for preserving ecosystems which sustain their communities and which will guarantee the quality of life of future generations.
Socio-environmental damage of an elevated magnitude in Northeast Brazilian mangrove ecosystems was the conclusion of the report presented by federal deputy Joao Alfredo (of the Shrimp Task Force Working Group) to the Environment and Sustainable Development Commission of the Federal Chamber of Deputies (lower legislative chamber). As a regional approach to shrimp production, the report includes specific diagnostics, traditional community denouncements, technical reports, and results of 11 public hearings. Environmental impacts were amply characterized; integrated and participatory actions of managing agencies defined (with governmental institutions and civil society entities involved); and aspects enumerated to be considered in the revision of the Resolutions of the National Environmental Council (CONAMA) and Environmental Councils and State Agencies.
It was possible to demonstrate that shrimp farms located in hydrographic basins of NE Brazil promote: i) deforestation of mangroves, riparian vegetation, and carnauba palm forests; ii) disappearance of salt flat areas (apicum); iii) filling in of tidal inlets and channels; iv) blockage of tidal flow; v) contamination of water by effluents emanating from production ponds and larval and post-larval tanks; vi) salinization of aquifers; vii) impermabilization of soils associated with mangrove ecosystems, carnauba palm forests, and riparian vegetation; viii) erosion of banks, dikes and supply and outflow canals; ix) absence of sedimentation basins; x) escape of exotic shrimp species to fluvial and fluvio-marine environments; xi) reduction and disappearance of habitats for numerous species; xii) disappearance of areas for collection of shellfish, fishing, and crab capture; xiii) dissemination of diseases (crustaceans); xiv) expulsion of shellfish harvesters, fisherfolk, and crab collectors from their work areas; xv) hamper or impede access to estuaries and mangroves; xvi) exclusion of traditional communities in participatory planning; xvii) respiratory illnesses and deaths with the utilization of metabisulphite; xviii) pressure to sell land; xvii) lack of exact data on number of shrimp farms; xix) non-existence of management; xx) lack of definition of cumulative impacts; and xxi) threatened biodiversity.
In the State of Ceara, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA-Brazil) completed the most complete study on the environmental impacts of shrimp farming. Two-hundred forty-five (245) shrimp farms (November 2005), with a total area of 6,069.97 ha, were visited in order to evaluate approximately 39 direct indicators of environmental impacts.
The report verified that, of all the shrimp farms licensed by the State Superintendent of Environment (SEMACE), 84.1% caused direct impacts to the mangrove ecosystem (mangrove and salt flat fauna and flora); 25.3% promoted the felling of carnauba palms, and 13.9% occupied areas previously destined for other subsistence agriculture crops. In the Jaguaribe River, 44.2% of the shrimp ponds constructed interfered directly with the mangrove ecosystem and 63.6% promoted an elevated magnitude of harm to one of the most important carnauba palm forests of the region’s hydrographic basins.
The most alarming data were found in the estuaries of the Pirangi, Acarau, Coreau, and Timonha Rivers, with 89.5%, 96.9%, 90.9%, and 100% of shrimp farm activities, respectively, within mangrove ecosystems (in the Acarau, Coreau, and Timonha Rivers, 78.1%, 72.7%, and 81.8% provoked felling of mangrove vegetation, respectively). The majority of the farms create serious risks of dissemination of exotic species, as they do not possess efficient security mechanisms to prevent the invasion of a shrimp species (Litopenaeus vannamei) exotic and noxious to Brazilian mangroves. Only 21.6% possessed licenses which corresponded to their phase of operation and within the expiration date of validity.
In the abandoned farms, the dikes continue to function as those that are still in operation, precluding environmental interchange that gives sustenance to the biological diversity of the mangroves and other ecosystems of the hydrographic basins. The report also confirmed that 77% of the shrimp farms lack sedimentation basins (effluents are flushed directly into rivers, lagoons, and estuaries), which confirms the elevated environmental harm already defined by university researchers, representatives of Watershed Committees, environmentalists, and traditional communities. With such levels of unsustainability, 67.9% of the farms were affected by diseases (63% on the east coast and 90% on the west coast), with the death of shrimp and the probable contamination of other native organisms.
The liberation of investments under the allegation that they will generate jobs, considered the strongest argument of the entrepreneurs, no longer will be justified, as it has been determined that the average index of direct employment observed in all shrimp farms is up to 3.2 times less that that divulged by the Brazilian Association of Shrimp Farmers (ABCC). In the Acarau River, for example, an index of 6.3 times less than that publicized by shrimp farmers was found. SEMACE is committing grave socio-environmental harm when it permits the construction of shrimp farms within the mangrove ecosystem (areas of apicum and salt flats) and in other areas of permanent preservation (wetlands, riparian areas, and carnaubal palm forests), through technical decisions which orient the State Environment Council (COEMA).
The COEMA Resolution No 02/2002, which concerns shrimp farming in Ceara, should be completely revisited and licensing suspended. Studies developed by the Department of Geography of the Federal University of Ceara (UFC), determined that salt flats are governed by eco-dynamic and geo-environmental processes which are developed in the mangrove ecosystem. Former sectors of salt flats are now found to be completely covered by mangrove vegetation. This directly contradicts that stated in the Resolution “successional stage ecosystem of mangroves as well as salgado, where sandy soils and elevated relief predominate, which impedes the tides from covering the soils, being colonized by species of vegetation of caatinga and or tabuleiro forests.”
In addition, long-term studies of vegetation coverage of abandoned salinas demonstrate the high capacity of regeneration by mangrove vegetation. The reestablishment of the entrance of tides (breaking abandoned dikes), is sufficient for setting off the exchange of material and energy, nutrient cycling and changes in salinity levels of covering sediments, for the start of revegetation and the entrance of fauna. The COEMA Resolution once again wrongly treats the environmental dynamics of the mangrove ecosystem when it defined abandoned salt ponds as “areas influenced by humans that generate ecosystems presenting residual soil hypersalinity, and consequently low capacity of natural regeneration by mangrove vegetation.”
The Shrimp Farm Task Force WG of the Federal Chamber of Deputy’s report defined the basics for effective actions to preserve mangrove ecosystems, improve the quality of life of traditional communities and the return of biodiversity: i) review legislation, explicitly stating that apicum and salt flats are geo-environmental and eco-dynamic units of the mangrove ecosystem and therefore under permanent preservation; ii) for the establishment of shrimp farming, demand the delimitation of Lands of the Union, of marine lands, the demarcation of native community lands, and the recognition of the legitimate passive land title of traditional communities; iii) regulate the establishment of shrimp farms in conservation units and on indigenous lands; iv) define a zone of minimum distance between shrimp farms and human settlements, guarding areas of traditional activities, of superficial drainage linked to traditional use, and the rest of subsistence activities (fishing, shellfish collection, agriculture, and natural resources use); v) delimit production systems (intensive and extensive) based on the sustainable potential of support of the ecosystems involved and of the effective availability of water, assuring the continuity of traditional activities of fisherfolk, shellfish collectors, Indians, riverside residents, and quilombolas (settlements of escaped slaves) linked to fishing, shellfish collecting, agriculture, and natural resource use; vi) set maximum indices (biological, chemical, and physical) for the flushing of effluents from the production and processing of farmed shrimp; vii) determine that licenses are only granted for the production and industrialization of shrimp based on the effective actions of adequate use and management of chemical implements and substances potentially harmful to human health and the quality of involved environmental systems; vii) determine that licenses and financing be done according to the definition of cumulative impacts, the state of fragmentation of involved ecosystems and the availability of water based on projections of use for short, medium, and long-terms; ix) determine that licensing and financing be done based on plans and programs (with budgets) of recuperation of degraded areas that have been abandoned for shrimp production; x) determine that licensing and financing are linked to effective implantation of phytosanitary barriers for the production, importation, and exportation of products associated with shrimp farming; and xi) determine that licensing and financing are based on projects that demonstrate control programs and management of introduction/invasion of exotic species.
Jeovah Meireles Professor, Department of Geography, Federal University of Cear·/Brazil (UFC) Forum in Defense of the Coastal Zone of Ceara, Brazil, (FDZCC)
From: meireles@ufc.br
==========
Brazil to Speed up 120 Infrastructure Projects
November 22, 2006 ˜ By Reuters
BRASILIA, Brazil ˜ Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva plans to hire more people and modify environmental laws to force through 120 stalled infrastructure projects in his second term, a senior Environment Ministry official said.
"I would say the president has decided to adopt a hands-on approach in his second term," ministry executive-secretary Claudio Langoni said in an interview on Monday…
…Langoni said it is social demands more than environmental laws that are stalling big projects. A lack of clear jurisdiction for issuing permits has allowed local judges to challenge many environmental reviews, he said
Lula said he would submit a bill to congress before the end of the year to give national, state or city governments the right to issue environmental licenses, depending on the impact of the project instead of whether it crosses state boundaries, Langoni said.
The president also agreed to let national licensing body Ibama add 300 people to its review staff of 600 to speed the process.
Source: Reuters
From manglar@comcast.net
The Bahamas
Editor’s Note: The following editorial was published in the Nov. 9th issue of the Freeport News. It is written by a very perceptive 15 year old environmentalist from Romania. If only our aged leaders could learn from such young minds that are not corrupted by the vagaries of greed and power.
Protection of the Nassau Grouper
Dear Editor;
The Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus), a large predatory fish inhabiting coral reefs, is the most important fish species in The Bahamas, not only economically but also biologically, because the Nassau Grouper keeps reef fish communities in balance by consuming smaller fish. The Nassau Grouper is best protected in the waters where they occur commonly.
However, the big problem is that recently this fish has become a candidate for the Endangered Species List due to overfishing and the devastation of their environment: coral reefs.
Recently I heard that Agriculture and Marine Resources have prolonged the ban on grouper fishing from two months to three or four months. This decision is really laudable; any efforts to try having sustainable fishing in The Bahamas will be beneficial for the Nassau Grouper.
What's really worrying me is the question of whether the grouper ban is the right step for their preservation and protection. Of course, there is no doubt that the ban is important, because commercial fishing causes so much damage. Sometimes the fishing has disastrous impacts on fish species in the shape of extinction. That's the truth! Fishers have to be prevented and stopped from catching this specie. However, I personally think that the ban should be the second way of grouper's protection. The Fisheries Department should rather pay close attention to the environment where Nassau Grouper grows and lives in the first period of life, rather than care about them as adults. It's a fact of common knowledge that juvenile groupers live in the shelter of mangrove creeks that are vital nurseries and foraging habitats before moving offshore to the coral reef. I can say that mangroves are for the Nassau Grouper vitally important. Without mangroves, no groupers! That's easy to understand. But why is this first home of the Nassau Grouper being destroyed in The Bahamas? I would like to know why the preservation of mangroves isn't the first step to protect the Nassau Grouper. Mangrove wetlands have a high ecological productivity and they are an important source of nutrients, and they provide shelter for many juvenile species of fish in this area, which includes extensive coral reefs and seagrass beds. As an example of the devastation of these habitats, I'd particularly point out the current destruction of the irreplaceable mangrove ecosystem on Bimini Island, where Bimini Bay Development removes, cuts down thousands of mangroves on which Bimini's rich fauna and flora and especially the economy depend. Countless fish species, several critically endangered, are losing a biologically important place of their existence due to a scandalous ecological disaster named Bimini Bay Resort. It's a shame that the Bahamian Government allows such havoc in its own country. I am deeply disappointed with the lack of environmental protection in The Bahamas. There seems to be a lack of awareness of environmental values. Relative to protection of the Nassau Grouper, I recommend that the Fisheries Department focus its efforts on the heart of the matter: the need for protection of mangrove forests.
Yours, etc. Jana Rajnohova
==========
Guana Cay Case Back In Court
By IANTHIA SMITH, Guardian Staff Reporter
The Save Guana Cay Reef Association (SGCRA) has been denied a fair hearing by an independent court, the group's attorney argued yesterday in a hearing in the Supreme Court.
Fred Smith said that based on a recent court ruling by Justice J Lyons, who has accused the government of stripping the judiciary of its independence, Justice Carroll's ruling on the controversial land issue should be quashed….
…On Thursday, October 12, the Baker's Bay Golf and Ocean Club won its Supreme Court battle against the SGCRA which is opposed to the $500 million resort development. However, Justice Carroll ruled against SGCR and continued with the hearing of the costs application.
The Developers and the Government submitted that costs are normally paid by the loser and this case should not be an exception….
Mr. Smith argued that this was a case of major and general public importance and that his clients should not be penalized in costs.
"The Association is comprised of citizens who were simply standing up for their local rights. The courts are not there just for the rich or powerful. If the Court orders the Association and Mr. Clarke to pay costs it will send a chilling message to people in the Bahamas," he argued.
The Developers were represented by Robert Adams of Graham Thompson and Co, and Leif Farquharson represented the Government.
Developers have been locked in an intense battle with the Save Guana Cay Reef Association which has protested against the development for almost a year….
…In the meantime, Mr. Smith asked for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal on the two objections to jurisdiction.
According to Mr Smith, if he is correct in his objection as to Justice Carroll not being institutionally independent because he does not have security of tenure, it will mean that the Judicial Review application will have to be heard again by a new judge.
In addition however, if Justice Lyons is correct, and the independence of the judiciary has been compromised by Cabinet's failure to comply with the provisions of the Judges Remuneration and Pensions Act, there may be no judges with jurisdiction to hear the retrial of the Judicial Review Application. Indeed, the Court of Appeal judges may suffer from the same constitutional infirmity, said Mr Smith. "That is the conundrum. That highlights the constitutional crisis" said Mr. Smith. "Until this issue is finally determined by the Privy Council any litigant from 2003 onwards may be able to challenge any ruling or judgment of the Supreme Court on this issue of judicial independence. That is why we must get this determined as soon as possible so that the people of the Bahamas know where we stand." Search The Guardian ? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ? ? ?
From: "Ed Sims" bahamas_18@hotmail.com
==========
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands – uncontrolled development
The British Virgin Islands once world famous for its fabulously empty beaches, clean water, small guest houses, fantastic sailing, friendly people and quiet life, is entering a phase of unprecedented large-scale development. “Nature’s Little Secret” has announced itself to the world. Encouraged by the local government, people around the world (e.g. USA, U.K. and Hong Kong) have responded by purchasing chunks of these islands and financing the construction of new facilities designed to attract thousands more to these tiny islands. Already the proportion of tourists to resident is staggering. A population of 20,000 is overwhelmed by upwards of 300000 visitors each year. Already there are major environmental and social impacts – sewage pollution, trash overloads, traffic and frustration on the roads, a large imported labour force, crime and eroding cultural norms.
Apparently, though this is not enough as the BVI government now encourages mega development. Two examples in urgent need of international attention because of their massive long- term environmental and social effects are the developments of Scrub Island and Beef Island. These large developments are occurring against a backdrop of smaller developments throughout the BVI islands, and unprecedented residential construction. Few if any measures are put in place in any development to curb the flow of sediment to the ocean.
Scrub Island, a formerly uninhabited island of 230 acres surrounded by healthy coral reef, popular dive sites, and some of the BVI’s most important turtle nesting beaches, is currently being re-designed. Towering piles of excavated soil are perched ominously on the shoreline on a low lying isthmus only yards away from coral reefs. Planned in the place of the dry tropical forest and inland mangrove wetlands or “salt ponds” are 54 individual state lots, a resort hotel with 87 single or multiple family-owned units, and a 67 slip marina including one spot for a mega yacht. The marina is sited in a narrow, high current channel a short way upstream from a marine protected area and another popular dive and snorkeling site that has also been a Reef Check survey reef since 1997. The developers claim that water quality will be “maintained” by promoting seawater flushing through the marina and disregard the sensitive habitats in line to receive the flushed harbour pollutants. This marina was granted government approval against the recommendations of the Conservation and Fisheries department.
The Beef Island Development is next in line. This project that may well have a ground breaking ceremony in early November 2006 is in the final stages of approval. The development includes 663 residential units for vacationers, a 180 acre golf course, an inner marina with 170 to 200 slips, including at least 7 for Mega yachts, and an outer marina with 200 slips. This development will replace the only remaining large wetland system accessible to the majority of the BVI’s population. ( estimated that 80% of BVI’s mangroves have already been lost). Although plans have been slightly modified to save some of the mangrove areas, the largest wetland is the site for the inner marina and will be completely destroyed. Other mangrove wetlands will be partially filled and bordered by the golf course -a Jack Nicklaus golf course. The project will impact migratory bird populations that have been shown to concentrate in the Beef Island salt ponds during the migration and winter months ( Jarecki 2004).
The inner marina, again an unavoidable source of pollutants, borders a mangrove lagoon, rich seagrass beds and a coral reef system that has been shown to support more juvenile stages of commercially-important fish species and 3 times greater densities of juvenile fish than any other area sampled around Eastern Tortola and the neighbouring islands (Watson et al.2002; Munro and Watson 1999). Part of that lagoon system was declared a fisheries protected area in 2004. It is expected that the sediments and pollutants dispersed during the development stages and later by the marina and golf course will degrade if not destroy this rich ecosystem.
The planned implementation of more marinas in the BVI and hence encouraging more boats to come has failed to take into account that the charter yacht industry may well already be at saturation point. Crowded anchorages for a large part of the year indicate that there is little room left for expansion of the boating industry.
In addition to the excessive environmental costs of large-scale development, the BVI will face far-reaching social consequences of these mega- development projects. The greatest of which will probably be those brought on the increase in the already high demand for imported labor and the decreases in the already scarce green spaces for the use and well being of BVI residents.
Cited references:
Jarecki L.2004. Salt Ponds of the British Virgin Islands: Investigations in an unexplored ecosystem. Ph.D. thesis, University of Ken at Canterbury. 183 pp.
Munro JL, Watson M. 1999, Caribbean Marine Protected Areas Project: The role of marine protected areas in fisheries management and biodiversity conservation in coral reef ecosystems. Technical Report, International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management ( ICLARM).
Watson M, Munro JL, Gell FR.2002. Visual censuses of recently settled yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus. Marine Ecology Progress Series Vol. 237:247-256.
***ACTION ALERT!!!***
Please write letters to protest this destructive development today!
SAMPLE LETTER:
To whom it may concern.
Please take the time to think of the future of the British Virgin Islands and consider that world concern for the decline of tropical ecosystems is real and needs to be addressed. It is disappointing that the British Virgin Islands made famous as “Natures Little Secrets” are giving in to large scale tourist developments.
These developments--planned or already under construction-- reflect an outmoded form of tourism. This will have far reaching negative effects on both the environmental integrity and the socio-economic structure of the islands. They are also taking place without any recognition of the global threats of climate change, rising sea levels and depleting energy reserves. Furthermore the BVI is a consumer of resources that it does not produce, and so far has done nothing to encourage the use of alternative energy systems by developers.
Both the Scrub Island and the Beef Island developments are destroying protective coastal zones in the BVI and putting the islands at risk in the event of a natural disaster such as a Tsunami or high tidal surge from hurricanes. The Beef Island development with its „ environmentally friendly‰ 18 hole golf course , 200 slip marina, resort hotel and villas, will severely compromise the only remaining large wetland system in the BVI. Insufficient set backs exist on the plans and the proposal to „enhance‰ ponds and „beautify‰ the beaches will cause further decline of the delicate coastal margins. The project will impact migratory bird populations that have been shown to concentrate in the Beef Island wetland ecosystem during migration and winter months. In addition the marina, which is slated to be excavated out of one of the main salt ponds, borders an area rich in sea grass beds and coral reef systems. This area has been shown to support more juvenile stages of commercially important fish species and 3 times greater densities of juvenile fish than any other area in the US and British Virgin Islands. It is also a designated Fisheries protected area, a fact that appears to have been brushed aside in the justification of the development.
The Scrub Island development has the potential to impact important turtle nesting beaches, and the proposed marina will limit flow between Scrub Island and Great Camanoe, potentially impacting a downstream national park, popular dive sites and the surrounding reefs.
I am quite concerned about this growing problem, and ask your immediate attention to this issue, one that is symptomatic of a Caribbean-wide development problem. This ruinous development is NOT good for our future, and must be more effectively regulated and controlled.
Sincerely,
====
Address list to send protest letters – British Virgin Islands.
Copy any letters to: bviprotect@hotmail.com
Faxes where possible are MORE effective.
Copies of letters should go to newspapers listed at end.
Governor’s Office
His Excellency Mr. David Peary
PO Box 702
Road Town, Tortola
Ph. 494-2345
Fax 494-5790
Email: sue.cotton@fco.gov.uk (Sue Cotton will forward all relevant letters to the Governor directly)
Office of the Chief Minister
Dr. the Honorable Orlando Smith
Central Administration Bldg
#33 Wickhams Cay 1
Road Town, Tortola
Permanent Secretary: Clyde Lettsome
Ph. 494-3701 ext 2152 / 2058
Fax 494-6413
Email cmo@caribsurf.com
BVI Tourist Board
Ag. Manager Mrs. Janis Brathwaite-Edwards
DeCasto Street, 2nd Floor
AKARA Bldg
Road Town, Tortola
Ph. 494-3134
Fax 494-3866
Email: infor@bvitourism.com
Newspapers****
Beacon:
bvibeacn@surfbvi.com - most likely to publish
Standpoint:
editorial@bvistandpoint.net
Island Sun:
Issun@candwbvi.net
USA
10-year US aquaculture plan out for consultation
The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released a draft 10-Year plan for the NOAA Aquaculture Programme.
Through adoption of this plan, NOAA seeks to establish an improved system for regulating and monitoring U.S. marine aquaculture, develop new seafood farming technology, improve public education about aquaculture, and influence development and adoption of global sustainable aquaculture practices and standards.
NOAA developed the plan at the request of the Department of Commerce's marine fisheries advisory committee, made up of a diverse cross-section of public representatives. The plan identifies the programme's goals and strategies, budget and staffing requirements, and potential outcomes, benefits and challenges through 2017. The public is asked to provide overall comments on the adequacy and appropriateness of the plan as well as offering specific recommendations for improvement.
"A strong marine aquaculture industry will benefit America's coastal communities with new jobs and revenues, and secure the availability of our nation's future seafood supply," said Bill Hogarth, director of NOAA Fisheries Service. "This plan provides a promising roadmap for how we will achieve our ambitious goal of increasing sustainable U.S. production of farmed seafood and meet the stock enhancement needs of the nation's commercial and recreational fisheries over the next 10 years, while providing environmental and other safeguards to protect wild stocks and marine ecosystems."
The United States imports almost 70 percent of its seafood, 40 percent of which is farmed. Hogarth said the United States wants more control over the safety, security and environmental standards under which seafood is raised. The U.S. aquaculture industry, made up primarily of freshwater species such as catfish and tilapia, produces a fraction of global fish production. With a robust and sustainable seafood farming industry, the nation could reduce its $8 billion seafood trade deficit by relying less on imports and increasing seafood exports. Aquaculture also has the potential to substantially increase employment and business opportunities in U.S. coastal communities.
The Ocean Action Plan called for advancing offshore aquaculture while ensuring it operates in an environmentally sustainable manner. The NOAA Aquaculture Programme is focused on supporting farming of all types of marine species, for commercial food production, non-food uses, and hatcheries that will stock fish farms and enhance wild fish populations. In June 2005, the Department of Commerce forwarded legislation to Congress that would grant the Secretary of Commerce new authority to issue permits for aquaculture in federal waters. As Congress considers passage of the bill, implementation of this plan will ensure that NOAA's Aquaculture Programme is well-positioned to take on the additional responsibility.
Source: FISHupdate
From: Samudra icsf@icsf.net
==========
Darden: Global shrimp industry ripe for growth
Drew Cherry
Published - November 21. 2006
A focus on positive health and sustainability can help grow the global shrimp market far beyond where it is today, according to Darden Restaurants Vice President Bill Herzig.
Four key areas -- health, sustainability, convenience and growth – have emerged as focal points for the seafood sector, Herzig told attendees at the 2006 International Coldwater Prawn Forum in London on Friday.
Darden, parent of Red Lobster restaurants, is the largest seafood restaurant chain in the United States, and alone purchases around 20,000 metric tons of shrimp annually. Consumption in the shrimp sector is well below its potential, Herzig said. Per capita consumption in the United States – among the largest shrimp markets – remains f