July-August . 2024 | @ green

BY THE GREEN DUDE

My early encounter with mangroves was when I leased a saltwater tilapia fish farm in Langkawi some years back . The farm flourished in the mangrove forest , which was located at the mouth of the river and the sea .

The tilapia fish that we know are primarily of the freshwater variety . So , this saltwater tilapia is slightly more expensive and also tastier . The advantage of this type of fish farming is that there is no need to feed them as there is ample food for them to obtain from the mangrove ecosystem .

In general , mangroves provide a safe nursery for food and protection for young marine life before they are ready to move further out to sea or to populate coral reefs .

Mangroves are also nesting and migratory sites for hundreds of species of birds that flourish among their branches . They are only found in tropical coastal zones and require high intensity and full sunlight . The rich biodiversity of mangroves supports fisheries by serving as breeding and feeding grounds for commercially valuable fish and shellfish species .

Hence , these mangrove coastal areas must be maintained and not destroyed by the demand for coastal development for residential or commercial projects such as those for the tourism industry . Other threats to this valuable ecosystem are the runoff of fertilisers and pesticides and the improper disposal of wastes .

The mangrove plants ’ above-ground roots slow down water flows and encourage sediment deposits that reduce coastal erosion . These complex root systems filter nitrates , phosphates , and other pollutants from the water and improve the water quality of the rivers and streams in the estuarine and ocean environments .

THREATS TO MANGROVE FORESTS

This will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the corals that thrive along the coasts . Research has shown that the corals are being destroyed in many Southeast Asian countries because of the increasing water pollution problem .

We need to realise that the greatest threat to the world ’ s mangrove forests is the expanding shrimp aquaculture industry . This industry involves clearing thousands of acres of lush wetlands to make room for artificial ponds densely

The greatest threat is the expanding shrimp aquaculture industry

stocked with shrimp .

The shrimp farmers dig channels to supply the ponds with large quantities of freshwater and seawater , altering the natural flow of water and maintaining the health of surrounding mangroves and ecosystems further inland and offshore .

Seawater diverted inland can also contaminate farmland or freshwater below the ground . Worse , the use of chemicals and antibiotics to keep shrimp healthy will further pollute the surroundings and ultimately threaten the ecosystem of fish and other living organisms . Thus , it is essential for the authorities to realise the risks these types of industries pose to the mangrove ecosystem .

Besides shrimp farms , other forms of agriculture that destroy mangrove forests include land for padi planting , rubber trees and palm oil plantations . The alteration of this natural flow of water can also destroy the mangrove forests by changes to their habitat due to tidal fluctuations .

Coastal development also takes many forms , such as ports , marinas , and tourism-related infrastructure such as hotels , commercial buildings and even recreational parks by the sea .

Mangrove forests are exploited for economic activity due to the decline in fishing among the local communities . Mangrove timber is used for building materials and fuel , including charcoal . All these factors contribute to the cycle of habitat loss and , thus , a decline in the fishery population .

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION

Today , the price of fish in our country has rocketed to such levels that it is cheaper to buy a plate of nasi kandar with egg and beef instead of fish . With

People boating in mangrove forest . A tourist attraction - boat ride through the mangrove canals

the increasing incidence of coral bleaching due to the rise in sea temperature , the threat to the fish and sea life population is ever-increasing .

Communities and NGOs around the world are organising to protect mangrove forests and other ecologically , biologically , and culturally diverse coastal forests . More awareness campaigns are needed to disseminate information about this sensitive ecosystem and preserve it from destruction by humans , whether corporations or the government .

Recently , one of my classmates , a retired forestry officer , informed me his son had been promoted to Prof Madya ( Assoc Prof ) for his work on mangrove swamps . Prof Madya Ahmad Aldrie Amir is attached to the Institute for Environment and Development ( LESTARI ) UKM in Bangi and has been working on mangrove research in Malaysia . Obtaining his PhD in Marine Science ( Mangrove Ecology ) from the University of Queensland , Australia , he has led and participated in various research and publishing reports on the subject .

In 2017 , he initiated the establishment of the Malaysian Mangrove Research Alliance and Network or MyMangrove , to promote multidisciplinary and collaborative research among academia and scientists .

It aims to reach out to the authorities and to the general public to increase awareness of the importance of these key tropical habitats and ecosystems in addition to promoting public participation in research and conservation as citizen scientists .

As a regular participant on BFM radio on environmental issues , I hope that he will inspire our youth to participate actively in the important crusade to save our planet from marine ecological destruction . After all , it is for the future of their world . – @ green

THE GREEN DUDE , having first experienced rearing tilapia fish in a mangrove area in Langkawi , realised that most people need to appreciate the effect these forests have on the survival of marine life . The destruction of mangrove forests for the development of commercial buildings such as hotels , ports , and other concrete jungles must be stopped and replaced with more sustainable development projects .