Maria Dolores Vera
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE
COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN
MANGROVE COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY IN
MANABI - ECUADOR
• BACKGROUND: THE MANGROVE AND DESTRUCTION OF THE
MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM.
• DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN
MANGROVE COMMUNITIES
• WORK OF FIDES
COMMUNITIES.
FOUNDATION
WITH
MANGROVE
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
LOCATION
ECUADOR
AMERICA
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
BACKGROUND: The Mangrove
Mangrove ecosystems are considered one of the world's most productive
ecosystems (RAMSAR Convention). They are strategic habitats for protecting
coastal and marine biodiversity, and for reducing climate change impacts.
In addition to their ecological role, mangrove habitats fulfill both economic,
cultural and social functions for the various communities settled on the banks of
the estuaries.
They are engaged in activities related to the mangrove resources, such as fishing
and gathering shellfish, which have been ancestral sources of food supply.
Furthermore, mangrove resources have been used for the construction of
houses, boats, furniture, hunting and fishing tools and kitchen utensils.
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
BACKGROUND (Destruction of the mangrove ecosystem)
Despite the environmental, social, economic and cultural importance, and the
existence of a legal framework for protection, about 60% of the mangroves in
Ecuador and in more than 80% in the province of Manabí was destroyed by the
shrimp industry.
Since the late 60s, the
shrimp
industry
has
devastated the mangrove
ecosystem along the
coastal strip. This is due
to the construction of
ponds for farming shrimp
in captivity.
Photo: Shrimp ponds.
Originally Ecuador had 362,802 hectares
(Decreto 238 MAG 06/07/87)
Currently there are 148,230 hectares
(Clirsen 2006)
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
BACKGROUND (Destruction of the mangrove ecosystem)
An example of the mangrove destruction in the province of Manabí is the River
Chone Estuary.
Furthermore, estuaries are contaminated by garbage, sewage, agrochemicals from
agriculture and livestock and chemicals from the shrimp industry.
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN
MANGROVE COMMUNITIES
In the context of this analysis, the destruction of more than 80% of the
mangrove ecosystem by the shrimp industry in the province of Manabí has
caused deteriorated living conditions in families that have lived off of the
ecosystem since ancient times. This violates human rights, rights which are
found in both international treaties and in the Constitution of the State
(Decreased fishing effort, Diseases, Loss of freedom of transit through public
spaces, Displacement of communities)
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN
MANGROVE COMMUNITIES
Decreased Fishing Effort
-In the past, a fisherman collected 800 shells
(Anadara similis and Anadara tuberculosa) working
for 4 or 5 hours a day. Now, on average, fisherman
collect 80 shells and must work for longer hours.
This situation affects many women (on average
40%) whose only activity is picking shells.
Before 800 shells - Now 80 shells
- This problem is found in all estuarine fishery
activities (several types of crabs, fishes, oysters,
and more)
Gatherer woman of shell
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN
MANGROVE COMMUNITIES
Loss of Freedom of Transit Through Public Spaces
In Ecuador, mangroves, estuaries, rivers and beaches are national assets for
public use, the law guarantees free movement (transit easements)
The mangrove people ancestrally have traveled
freely through estuaries and mangroves for fishing
activities. It is part of their culture and their life.
The shrimp industry has privatized public spaces,
closing passages in rivers and putting electric fences
on the walls of shrimp ponds, and guards have shot
fishermen who get close to the shrimp ponds. In
Ecuador, there are many examples of fishermen
killed for exercising their right to free movement
through rivers and mangroves to provide their family
with food.
Electrocuted animals in electric fences
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN
MANGROVE COMMUNITIES
Diseases
In order to collect shells and crabs, the
women must immerse themselves in
contaminated water and mud, which leads to
various skin diseases and infection of
intimate parts.
Contaminated water also affects the fish
and shellfish that absorb these pollutants.
When consumed, this negatively affects the
health of both the families within the
communities and consumers in various
cities outside of the community.
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
OTHER CONSEQUENCES BY MANGROVE DESTRUCTION
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL
Loss of traditional knowledge and ancestral practices (from migration and
other reasons)
ENVIRONMENTAL
Loss of the ecological functions of
mangroves:
- Increased vulnerability of coastal
communities due to tsunamis, floods,
storms
- Salinization of agricultural lands
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
WORK OF FIDES FOUNDATION WITH MANGROVE COMMUNITIES
The Foundation for Research and Social Development (FIDES), is a non-profit
organization whose purpose is to contribute to human development by promoting
economic, social, cultural and environmental development of vulnerable populations in
rural areas and in cities.
FIDES intervention with fishing and collecting families allows the generation of
alternative livelihoods for mangrove communities of Manabí through the protection
and sustainable use of mangrove resources.
The FIDES Foundation is a member of the National Coordinating Corporation for the
Defense of Mangrove Ecosystems (C-CONDEM), which is a national network that brings
together more than 100 organizations of artisanal fishermen and gatherers of the
Ecuadorian coast mangroves and several NGOs. It aims to build a community
management proposal for the recovery, conservation and protection of Ecuadorian
mangroves to guarantee fundamental human rights of the native people of this
ecosystem, especially the right to work and the right to food security.
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
Mangrove reforestation, mainly red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
Increasing populations of local species in situ in the estuaries of Manabi :
•Black shell (Anadara similis and Anadara tuberculosa)
•Blue crab (Cardisoma crassum).
Photo: Youth working in mangrove
reforestation
Photo: Working in increasing crab populations
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC INITIATIVES
As mangrove destruction has caused the decline of shellfish species, which are the
source of food and income for the communities, COMMUNITY TOURISM constitutes a
working alternative for these communities and therefore maintains their link with the
mangroves.
Community tourism plays both a social and environmental role, as it supports families´
generation of income and avoids pressure on the few resources that are found within the
ecosystem.
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND POLICY INCIDENCE
Work coordinated with the National Coordinating Corporation for the Defense of
Mangrove Ecosystems C-CONDEM (network comprised of 150 organizations)
Incidence of the constitutional and legal framework (Participation with proposals for
the Constitution (2008), Proposals in various laws: Mangrove Law, Water Law
Delegates of mangrove communities outside the
National Assembly before the first debate of the
Mangrove Law.
Delegates of mangrove communities in the National
Assembly plenary discussion of the Mangrove Law.
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND POLICY INCIDENCE
Work coordinated with the National Coordinating Corporation for the Defense of
Mangrove Ecosystems C-CONDEM (network comprised of 150 organizations)
Supporting the complaints against the violation of human rights and the
rights of nature.
A march to stop mangrove destruction and for justice for a
fisherman killed on the walls of a shrimp pond in Manabi.
Delegates of mangrove communities in
the National March for Water .
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND POLICY INCIDENCE
Work coordinated with the National Coordinating Corporation for the Defense of
Mangrove Ecosystems C-CONDEM (network comprised of 150 organizations)
- At present, we are working hard to create Community Protected Areas in
mangrove areas, and coordinate effective participation of the people and
communities in the elaboration of Management Plans for Protected Areas.
- Organizational Training.
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
IMPORTANT TOPICS THAT REQUIRE POLICY DECISION BY
COMPETENT AUTHORITIES
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY :
Approval of Mangrove Law
based on participatory approach
by the people and communities
approved in the first debate (the
second and final debate are
pending)
Delegates of mangrove communities in the National
Assembly plenary discussion of the Mangrove Law.
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
IMPORTANT TOPICS THAT REQUIRE POLICY DECISION BY
COMPETENT AUTHORITIES
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT (Ministry of the Environment and other ministries
involved):
- Mangrove Ecosystem Recovery: A policy decision is urgent to restore mangrove
ecosystem areas that were illegally destroyed.
- Ecosystem Restoration: Then they start an intensive process of restoration.
-Deem mangrove areas in the communities
COMMUNITIES (with community management)
as
PROTECTED
AREA
SECTIONAL GOVERNMENT (provincial and cantonal)
- Integrated Watershed Management: regulation and control to avoid pollution of
the rivers is a sectional government responsibility
LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES:
A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND POLICY INCIDENCE
Our work will not
be sufficient for
the Good Living
of Communities
(Buen Vivir Sumak Kawsay)
if national and
international
regulatory
frameworks that
protect
nature
and the rights of
people are not
met.
CONSTITUTION OF ECUADOR
2008
guarantees:
Rights of Nature
Rights of Indigenous People
and Communities
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
MUCHAS GRACIAS!