Mangrove Restoration and Coastal Wildlife

Mangrove forests are critical nursery and feeding habitat for marine and coastal wildlife. Restoration improves welfare for vast numbers of animals.

Key Facts

Mangrove forests cover approximately 147,000 km2 globally but have declined by 35% since 1980
Mangroves support enormous biodiversity including juvenile fish, crustaceans, birds and mammals
Shrimp aquaculture clearance has destroyed millions of hectares of mangrove habitat
Mangrove restoration projects have restored thousands of hectares globally
Carbon sequestration value has driven significant investment in mangrove restoration
Restored mangroves recover wildlife populations within years to decades
India, Indonesia and Bangladesh host the largest mangrove restoration programmes

Welfare Considerations

Mangrove loss displaces and kills vast numbers of juvenile fish and invertebrates that depend on mangrove nursery habitat. The welfare consequences extend throughout food chains as species lose critical habitat and food resources. Mangrove restoration directly improves welfare by recreating habitat that supports billions of individual animals. Supporting sustainable aquaculture that does not clear mangroves protects existing welfare.

What You Can Do

Support mangrove restoration organisations through donations
Avoid shrimp products from suppliers unable to verify mangrove-free supply chains
Choose certified sustainable shrimp from producers operating within existing land use
Advocate for mangrove protection in international climate and biodiversity agreements