We are taking a truly bottom-up approach to mangrove conservation and restoration issues. Our approach involves and includes local communities and NGOs

Conserving & restoring mangrove forests and related coastal ecosystems whilst also promoting community based, sustainable management of coastal resources

Through its global network and offices in the U.S. (International Office), Thailand (Asia Regional Office), Indonesia, and Latin America, MAP is stimulating the exchange of ideas and information on the conservation and restoration of mangrove forests, while promoting sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

Mangrove forests act as a nursery for 75% of tropical commercial fish, protect against coastal erosion, protect coastal communities from tsunamis and hurricanes, and absorb carbon dioxide. But until recently, mangrove forests had been classified by many governments and industries as "wastelands," or useless swamps. This mistaken view has made it easier to exploit mangrove forests as cheap and unprotected sources of land and water.

Today, less than half the world's original mangrove forest cover remains. As much as 50% of mangrove destruction in recent years has been due to clear cutting for shrimp farms.

MAP is a whistleblower against the shrimp aquaculture industry, spotlighting its destructive expansion that is responsible for hundreds of thousands of hectares of mangrove loss and ruin of valuable coastal zones.

If you would like to find out what you can do to protect the mangroves, please visit: http://www.mangroveactionproject.org/get-involved

The Mangrove Action Project is dedicated to reversing the degradation and loss of mangrove forest ecosystems worldwide. Its mission is to promote the rights of traditional and indigenous coastal peoples, including fishers and farmers, to sustainably manage their coastal environments.