Introduction

#movethedate: The ecological and economic potential of mangrove forests is enormous. Mangroves play a significant role in coastal zone ecology and support marine species that need the mangrove ecosystem for part or all of their life cycles. In addition, the physical placement of mangroves in the coastal zone, where land meets the sea, makes them a unique environment.

National agencies and international environmental non-governmental groups are concerned about conserving the mangrove resource (NGOs). These NGOs are putting increasing pressure on the government to stop the destruction of mangroves. The aquaculture industry, notably shrimp farming, is a crucial target. Some non-governmental organisations are pushing for an international ban on the importation of cultivated shrimp.

This pressure, combined with high-profile environmental conferences (such as the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro), is influencing national policies on various environmental concerns, including mangrove forest preservation.

There is a need to strike a balance between development demand and mangrove resource conservation. Social difficulties are inextricably related to long-term development. The coastal population’s economic needs for work and money must be met. The mangroves are a coastal resource that has been severely harmed by increasing coastal population pressure (e.g., clearing for villages, for wood, construction material, and agriculture). Aquaculture is one of the economic enterprises that has taken advantage of the mangrove ecosystem.

There are several approaches to limit the ongoing conversion of mangroves to pond aquaculture. These include aquaculture intensification on existing sites, promoting aquaculture that has the least impact on the mangrove ecosystem, better pond siting procedures in mangroves, integrated management of sustainable mangrove ecosystem uses, pond development outside of mangroves, and non-land based culture systems (i.e., mariculture).

Silvofisheries and mariculture are two key sustainable alternatives to aquaculture pond growth. Silvofisheries is a low-input, long-term aquaculture system that combines mangrove tree culture and brackishwater aquaculture. This integrated strategy to mangrove resource protection and usage allows the mangrove region to maintain a reasonably high level of integrity while taking advantage of the economic benefits of brackishwater aquaculture.

The more a cultivation system identifies and mimics natural ecosystem functions, the fewer resources are required, and the fewer adverse environmental effects are experienced (Folke & Kautsky 1992). Integrated systems aim for enhanced efficiency, reduced consumption, chemical and pharmaceutical product avoidance, reduced waste output, and nutrient recycling. It may be acceptable to expand aquaculture to fulfil the requirements of the rural poor if it is done in a controlled manner outside of places that are already intensively exploited and environmentally sensitive. The initiative must be part of a more significant conservation and usage programme, such as silvofisheries

What is the solution?

Mangroves are being planted in dams, water channels, and shrimp farming ponds to construct aquaculture farms that use sustainable integrated mangrove aquaculture systems, benefiting shrimp production and the mangrove ecosystem and hence helping #movethedate.

How does it help with #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot day?

Mangrove restoration and integrated mangrove aquaculture help residents secure income, improve their resistance to storms and floods, and trap carbon hence helping in #movethedate of Earth Overshoot day.

How is it scalable?

More than 100,000 mangrove trees have been planted in India and Bangladesh, and more than 50 experimental farms have been found. This cooperative framework can be scaled and duplicated all over the world hence helping #movethedate of Earth Overshoot day.

The Global Nature Fund

Because of their ability to store carbon and protect coastal people and coasts from extreme weather, tropical mangrove forests are essential and productive ecosystems on Earth. Unfortunately, shrimp aquaculture is one of many factors that has resulted in a 20 per cent reduction in global mangrove ecosystems since 1980. Nonetheless, as the primary source of income in mangrove areas, shrimp farming offers a unique opportunity to contribute considerably to mangrove protection and restoration. This is true for both aquaculture systems and “non-pond” areas under the supervision of farms and their communities.

This project helps aquaculture farms that use integrated mangrove aquaculture systems that are sustainable. Mangroves are planted in dams, water channels, and directly into ponds in pond farming. Shrimp may coexist with mangroves in this fashion, and the environment is protected hence helping in #movethedate of Earth Overshoot day.

Global Nature Fund, in collaboration with Naturland – Verband für ökologischen Landbau e.V., wants to investigate this possibility and is leading the project “Multi-stakeholder partnership to strengthen transformative processes in shrimp trade as a foundation for the protection of mangrove ecosystems in South Asia,” which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) which will help in #movethedate of Earth Overshoot day.

A considerable portion of the project’s measures will be implemented in the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, which spans 10,000 km2 and is located in the Indian state of West Bengal and Bangladesh’s Khulna Division.

The Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS) and the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society of India are local collaborators (NEWS). On the other hand, Germany is a significant market for sustainable and certified seafood. Therefore, it will serve as the focal point for connecting market demand for mangrove-friendly shrimp with environmental and social activities in shrimp-producing countries and eventually helping the initiative #movethedate of Earth Overshoot Day.

There’s no benefit in waiting!

In a world increasingly defined by ecological overshoot, acting now gives you a strategic advantage. There are numerous ways to #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot day. They’re innovative, cost-effective, and ready to scale up. As a result, we may become more resilient and #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot Day with them. Humanity can be out of overshoot by 2050 if the calendar is moved six days each year.