Shrimps & mangroves

We protect thousands of hectares of mangrove forest. Through sustainable shrimp aquaculture, we enable mangroves to reclaim their former habitat. In this way, we protect the climate and nature and create a sustainable source of income for local people.

Mangrove forests are one of the most important and productive ecosystems in the world: they bind more than three to five times as much carbon dioxide as terrestrial forests and therefore have a gigantic carbon storage potential. Mangrove forests also protect coastal regions from erosion, tropical storms and storm surges. The problem: since 1980, around 25 percent of the mangrove forests have been cleared, partly to make room for shrimp aquaculture.

In our SAIME (Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems) project, we are therefore working on the development of pilot aquaculture farms that use sustainable IMA systems (integrated mangrove aquaculture). Mangroves are planted in the dams, water channels and directly in the pond. In this way, shrimp can exist in harmony with mangroves and the ecosystem is preserved.

Project area

Goals

Rehabilitation of degraded mangrove forests by integrating mangrove trees into shrimp aquacultures.

Exchange and mutual learning between India, Germany and Bangladesh. Together we set goals and implement guidelines and sustainable business models in the shrimp trade.

Strengthening local smallholders in India and Bangladesh and their cooperatives, improved access to local and national markets

Sustainability for the entire value chain, developing awareness and a market for sustainably farmed shrimp

Impacts

+ 50%

The income of 500 families has been proven to increase by at least 50 percent through a better value chain.

222

Farms are switching to sustainable shrimp aquaculture on an area of 150 hectares.

500

Smallholder families are supported in making their farms fit for climate change.

1

We are helping to develop a local market in India and Bangladesh for organically produced shrimp and ensure that small farmers have access to this market.