Maria Dolores Vera LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE
COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
Slide 3
BACKGROUND: THE MANGROVE AND DESTRUCTION OF THE MANGROVE
ECOSYSTEM. DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN
MANGROVE COMMUNITIES WORK OF FIDES FOUNDATION WITH MANGROVE
COMMUNITIES.
Slide 4
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 LOCATION ECUADOR
AMERICA MANABI
Slide 5
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. 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 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.
Slide 6
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 Manab
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. Originally Ecuador had 362,802 hectares
(Decreto 238 MAG 06/07/87) Currently there are 148,230 hectares
(Clirsen 2006) Photo: Shrimp ponds. 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
Slide 7
An example of the mangrove destruction in the province of Manab
is the River Chone Estuary. BACKGROUND (Destruction of the mangrove
ecosystem) 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 LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD
SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY IN MANABI -
ECUADOR
Slide 8
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 Manab 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 LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES: A
CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
Slide 9
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) DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN MANGROVE
COMMUNITIES 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 Gatherer
woman of shell
Slide 10
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.
DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVELIHOODS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN MANGROVE
COMMUNITIES 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 Electrocuted
animals in electric fences
Slide 11
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. DESTRUCTION OF THE LIVELIHOODS OF
PEOPLE LIVING IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES 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
Slide 12
OTHER CONSEQUENCES BY MANGROVE DESTRUCTION Loss of traditional
knowledge and ancestral practices (from migration and other
reasons) SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL 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 Loss of the ecological functions of mangroves:
- Increased vulnerability of coastal communities due to tsunamis,
floods, storms - Salinization of agricultural lands
Slide 13
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 Manab 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 LAND RIGHTS AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE
COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY IN MANABI - ECUADOR
Slide 14
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 LAND RIGHTS
AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY IN MANABI -
ECUADOR
Slide 15
ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC INITIATIVES 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. 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. 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
Slide 16
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND POLICY INCIDENCE 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 LAND RIGHTS
AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY IN MANABI -
ECUADOR Work coordinated with the National Coordinating Corporation
for the Defense of Mangrove Ecosystems C-CONDEM (network comprised
of 150 organizations)
Slide 17
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND POLICY INCIDENCE 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 LAND RIGHTS
AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY IN MANABI -
ECUADOR 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.
Slide 18
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND POLICY INCIDENCE - 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 LAND RIGHTS
AND FOOD SECURITY IN MANGROVE COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY IN MANABI -
ECUADOR Work coordinated with the National Coordinating Corporation
for the Defense of Mangrove Ecosystems C-CONDEM (network comprised
of 150 organizations)
Slide 19
IMPORTANT TOPICS THAT REQUIRE POLICY DECISION BY COMPETENT
AUTHORITIES 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 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.
Slide 20
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 SECTIONAL GOVERNMENT
(provincial and cantonal) - Integrated Watershed Management:
regulation and control to avoid pollution of the rivers is a
sectional government responsibility 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 as PROTECTED AREA
COMMUNITIES (with community management) IMPORTANT TOPICS THAT
REQUIRE POLICY DECISION BY COMPETENT AUTHORITIES
Slide 21
ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND POLICY INCIDENCE CONSTITUTION OF
ECUADOR 2008 guarantees: Rights of Nature Rights of Indigenous
People and Communities 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
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.
