THE Mangrove Action Committee (MAC) is continuing to focus its sensitisation campaign on smaller groups now that the major consultations have been completed.
In that pursuit, the MAC engaged the attention of fishermen from Rosignol, in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice), on Monday, to advance awareness on the subject.
A major issue raised at that forum was the decrease in catch as compared to previous years and Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP) Coordinator, Mr. Bissasar Chintamanie, highlighted the fact that mangroves assist fishermen by helping to increase the catching potential.
He pointed out that mangroves serve as a source of food for not only fish but shrimp and crabs that live in rivers and shallow parts of the sea, acting as well as a nursery and providing a haven for juvenile fishes.
Many of the fishermen admitted ignorance of the fact that, in recognition of those purposes, mangroves are protected under the amended Forestry Act of 2010 which stipulates penalties of fines and imprisonment for their destruction.
Chunielall, a veteran fisherman of 20 years, confessed that he did not know what the mangrove restoration project really entails and that the reduced catch has had an impact on him.
Not knowing whether it is due to climate change or something else, he said, compared to previous years, fishermen now have to venture further out to sea but the saving grace for them is the increase in prices for seafood.
Chunielall said the rise in prices allows them to make a profit but fishing is strenuous work for those, like him, who leave home at midnight and return to Rosignol wharf around 02:00 h.
Due to the many benefits mangrove forests offer, their conservation is a priority for the current Administration and works are being done by the MAC in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), under the purview of the Agriculture Ministry.
Under the $100M Government funded GMRP, the National Mangrove Action Plan 2010 guides the quest to protect, manage and restore mangroves in areas where they have been depleted.
Such forests in this country are destroyed by natural coastal erosion and human activities and the project execution is over a three-year period through 2012.
The objectives are to promote sustainable management of mangrove forest; develop effective protection of mangrove ecosystem and rehabilitation; increase public awareness and education on the benefits of the mangrove forests; establish and complete a legal framework for mangrove ecosystem management and encourage community-based mangrove management and establish the administrative capacity for the management of mangroves locally.