Global Nature Fund | Mangrove protection in Colombia

We protect the mangrove ecosystem on the Rio Sinú in Colombia by creating alternative income opportunities for the local population. Through the Reforestation and the introduction of new strategies for utilizing the ecosystem will improve the living conditions of the fishing communities in the long term.

The village of El Cantarillo in the municipality of Lorica lives from the ecosystem services provided by the mangroves. The use of the mangrove ecosystem is the most important economic activity in the region. Their livelihood depends on the extraction of the ecosystem’s natural resources, which is based on fishing and mainly on the exploitation of the mangrove forests for domestic and commercial use. This work has become very arduous and poorly paid, affecting the income and food security of the communities dependent on this activity and the municipality of El Cantarillo. At the same time, the mangrove community, with its limited economic resources, lacks alternative sources of income.

With this project, we are helping to preserve the highly endangered mangrove ecosystem and improve the living conditions of the local community.

Project area

Goals

Developing diversification approaches

The mangrove communities develop participatory and economically sustainable approaches to diversify the local economy and implement them.

Protection and conservation of the mangrove ecosystem

The protection and preservation of the Mangroven ecosystem of the lower Sinú-River is ensured through restoration measures.

Improvement of activities

Associations and municipal infrastructure for the development of activities are improved

Improve mangrove protection knowledge

The local project partner’s knowledge of mangrove conservation are improved.

Impacts

4.5 ha

of the mangrove forest in areas used for forestry reforested

8000 kg/year

Fish sales by increasing fish production from sustainable aquaculture as an important source of income

45 families

benefit from the establishment ofthree micro-enterprises (community and nature tourism, fish farming with indigenous species, canoe transportation andrental)