Journal of Coastal Zone Management

Abstract

Aquaculture Operation in Allocated Mangrove Areas in Kien Giang, Vietnam: Local Perceptions and Recommendations

Thai Thanh Luom*

Allocation of coastal mangrove areas for protection and livelihood improvement has been adopted as a management practice in Kien Giang and the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. However, allocated mangrove forests were eroded and ponds were abandoned. The literature reveals that there was a low level of local involvement in mangrove planning and management and limited understanding of the policy among the contractees in Kien Giang. The Kien Giang mangrove allocation policy needs to be revised as legally required. The voice of the contractees need to be heard because the contractees have been involved in protecting coastal mangrove forests since 2005. In addition, a sound policy needs to integrate all sources of knowledge during the policy making process. This study aims to adequately understand local perceptions of the status of their aquaculture ponds and aspirations for improving the efficacy of aquaculture pond operation. The study was undertaken using mixed methods, with the Kien Giang contractees’ involvement as co-investigators. The results show that the contractees believed that their ponds were jeopardized by natural factors, not their operation activities. Improper pond construction techniques significantly contributed to erosion, worsening the consequences of natural factors, breaking their ponds and forcing them to leave their ponds abandoned. The contractees at the end of the study became fully aware of the consequences of their improper pond operation activities. The contractees could not afford costs of proper protection or reconstruction of abandoned ponds to revive their livelihood incomes. Allocated mangrove areas should be configured at a more proper ratio to ensure the protection of, and sustainable use of, allocated mangrove forests for aquaculture purposes.

Published Date: 2019-06-19; Received Date: 2019-05-23