Livelihood improvement in adaptation to climate change for fisherman Aquaculture farming combines with mangroves forest

K55 TT KHMT

Livelihood
improvement in adaptation to climate
change for fisherman
Aquaculture farming combines with mangroves forest

Nguyễn Vân Anh, Trần Thi Huế, Phan Lâm Tùng, Vũ Tuấn Tài, Nguyễn
Quang Văn
4/17/2014


Livelihood improvement in adaptation to climate change for fisherman

1. Introduction and problem statement
Climate change and its massive effects has become a non-border issue in the recent
years. Vietnam lies among top of countries that suffers the most severe consequences
from climate change. According to “The first announcement of Vietnam about climate
change” (SRV, MONRE 2003) with the increase of sea level, each year we lost about 17
billion dollars head to 2050. We are and had been done many things in order to adapt or
to deal with those consequences.
Stared with “The first announcement of Vietnam about climate change” in 2003, in the
year 2004 the Prime Minister announced the “Strategic Orientation for Sustainable
Development in Vietnam” (or Vietnam agenda 21) or in 2008, Vietnam decided to bring
in the “National Target Program to Respond to Climate Change” (Decision no.
158/2008/QÐ-TTg December 02, 2008, Prime Minister). In 4 years from 2008 to 2011
many research organizations continued proclaiming series of reports concerning climate
change such as “Poor people and adaptation to climate change” (CERED 2008),
“Climate change scenarios and the rising of sea level in Vietnam” (MONRE 2009),
“The Social Dimensions of Adaptation to Climate Change in Vietnam” (WB 2010),
“Report on development of Vietnam 2011: natural resources management” (WB 2011)

and so on.
Despite carrying about protecting the environment and preventing the increase of climate
change, Vietnam is a developing country thus we still have to attach special importance to
economic development. Due to being the most vulnerable candidates to the effects of
climate change, their lives is threatened the most by disasters and poverty, especially
fisherman get lots of concern from the government. Many policies and solution had been
applied or encouraged for fisherman in order to help them improve livelihood. Among
those solution, the encouragement of shrimp farming is the most favorable because
shrimp species are valued commercial goods and the harvest condition is well available
with very long coastline include thousands hectares of mangrove forest. Many hectares of
mangrove forest is chopped down for shrimp ponds. The crowded expansions without
strictly control lead to the shrink and severely damage of mangrove forest surface. Each
year Vietnam lost about three percent of mangrove forest (Vietnam Administration of
Seas and Islands - VASI) decreasing the total surface to 150,000 ha in 2002 (400,000
before 1945; 252,000 in 1982). The mangrove forest plays a very important part against
the negative effects of climate change such as saltwater intrusion, hurricanes, erosion...
Needless to say without mangrove forest, the consequences would be significant.
Therefore, protecting the mangrove forest accomplish to eco-shrimp farming must be put
under serious concern to ensure a sustainable future. In fact we have already take the aim
of recovering 85 percent of 1982 forest surface by planting new forest area. Although
much of what had been done, the result is not very satisfactory due to the speed of
destroying the forest (mostly by shrimp farming) is still greater than the speed of
recovering. To serve the economic development and improve lives for fisherman, we
2


Livelihood improvement in adaptation to climate change for fisherman

still have to utilize the advantages of natural conditions meanwhile protecting the
environment contributed to the reduction of climate change effects and facing the day by

day increasing issues. The project’s goal is to figure out the way we could not only
improve livelihood for fisherman but also protecting and recovering the mangroves.
“Aquaculture farming co-operate with mangroves forest” could be put into research or
practiced to serve the project’s purpose. This is also the reason while the project
significant and need to be executed.
2. Objectives:
Our project will result in improvement of fisherman’s livelihood and ecosystem
protection. To achieve the goals, this project is broken into small and specific objectives.
2.1. Improvement of eco- shrimp farming techniques for local farmers though workshops.
Many workshops are organized with purposes in which we disseminate the technique of
cultivating shrimp in mangrove forest to famers . The technical staff will guide farmers
how to prepare the area for cultivation such as understanding the mechanism , how to
shape shrimp farming areas , killing harmful fish to shrimp , selection of breeder , food
and environmental surrounding , disease treatment , harvesting and post-harvest storage .
At the same time , these conferences bring opportunities to answer the questions of the
farmers as well as enabling farmers to meet and exchange experiences and learn from
each other .Because, mangrove soil is alluvial soil which formed with anaerobic
decomposition of flooded forest ecosystem creates an unstable soil to contain a high
content of organic matter . This affects the growth and development of shrimp in
mangroves forest. It means affecting the generation and spreading of disease to shrimp
.Therefore , besides organization of workshops for fisherman , the project gives
specialized technical staffs to the farms in daily time. They will monitor and then regulate
technical parameters , helping farmer detect and distinguish common diseases , operating
the model of shrimp farming in mangroves forest.
2.2. Development of the eco - shrimp model in coastal areas of Nam Dinh province.
Because shrimps rely on natural food sources under the forest canopy, it takes the low
investment costs. Appling the eco-shrimp farming in Nam Dinh province, the ecological
environment is stable in which the shrimp grows well and also it reduces diseases for
shrimp. This model can brings many advantages not only for the local residents but also
the environment here. Therefore, it is very highly sustainable and enhancing living

quality for the poor, especially. To regulate this model smoothly, the project will need an

3


Livelihood improvement in adaptation to climate change for fisherman

advice from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, they will help the
project approach the residents easier1.
2.3. Protection of coastal ecosystem through expanding square of mangrove forest.
Mangroves forest is one of the important ecosystems . Mangroves forest is the habitat in
which underwater animals live and provided food, especially it plays a valuable role in
coastal areas. Mangroves forest stabilizes the coastal areas and it likes a shield to protect
against storms and catastrophes nature. Along with economic benefits from eco- shrimp
farming, the number of hectas of the mangrove forest will increase. In fact, the ecoshrimp in , in the period 2009 - 2012, the leader of Duyen Hai districts , Tra Vinh
province has invested tens of billion for growing new mangrove plants about 300
hectares of forest on shrimp farming area . With the planting of new forests , coastal
residents have applied eco- shrimp farming ; 60 % of the land for planting mangroves ;
40 % of the area is remained shrimp and other aquatic species such as mud crabs ,
barramundi2.
2.4. Increasing the fisherman’s income
With the high population density of 1196 people/km 2( Nam Dinh government-2011), the
resolves for labor problem are urgency in Nam Dinh province. By the delivering the
model of shrimp farming on mangroves to each family, this project provide a significant
amount of jobs for province’s resident. The model of shrimp- mangroves brings the
economic efficiency because of low investment costs, utilizing of natural food. Moreover,
after getting benefits from the project, the fisherman can invest on replanting, expanding
farm to get more money. As be expected, the model can reduce the unemployment rate
and poor rate to 5%.
2.5. Apply closed model from producing to consuming

The first stage this process should be establishing workshop that introduce the fresh and
environment friendly product to the consumers, especially the company of aquatic food
processing. People committees should have some priorities for companies such as lower
prices, big scale... Besides, the longtime contract is necessary, ensure the stable outputs
for products. The management of shrimp quality is also important for long business
relationship. Thus, the inspection team with representatives from local government and
companies should be held frequently. Last but not least, investment in transportation for
1 TRƯỜNG VEN BIỂN VÀ PHỤC HỒI RỪNG NGẬP MẶN Ở VIỆT NAM
/>2 NHỮNG VẤN ĐỀ MÔI NGHIÊN CỨU HIỆN TRẠNG VÀ ĐỀ XUẤT CÁC BIỆN PHÁP BẢO TỒN VÀ PHỤC HỒI HỆ THỰC
VẬT NGẬP MẶN Ở HUYỆN DUY XUYÊN, TỈNH QUẢNG NAM
/>
4


Livelihood improvement in adaptation to climate change for fisherman

delivering the shrimp products. Finding a stable consuming is so important – a key factor
for developing this model.
2.6. The intended beneficiaries of project
According to the Department of Forestry, the forestation at the rate of 70% of the
mangrove area to 30% of shrimp farming area, contribute to improve survival rate of
trees by 80%, yields of shrimp increased 4 times , from 80 kg / ha / crop to 350 kg / ha /
crop and limit the abandoned ponds after harvesting shrimp. Therefore, shrimp farming in
mangrove forest is a model of economic efficiency and adapt to climate change.
The specific benefits of this project related to:
++Fisherman-producers.
Shrimp farming on mangroves is likely to benefit to poor living in coastal areas the most
by improving the productivity and incomes. In this model, the shrimp are raised in natural
way: the falling leaves are source of nutrient (phosphorus, nitrogen) for shrimp in their
decomposition process; the leaves are also the direct food for aquatic organisms and

shelter for avoiding predator. So, the fisherman might save cost for shrimp food.
Moreover, this project resolves the labor in countryside; the people can earn money in
their home.
Consumers
By increasing the quantity of shrimp farming in region, the products costs will be
decrease. More and more people can get the shrimp as food source with acceptable
prices. Furthermore, by using non-chemical food on raising shrimp, the products quality
can be guarantee and totally safe for consumers.
Environment
Mangroves forest support a wealth of life, from crustaceans to people, and most
importantly the health of the planet. In term of climate change adaptation, mangroves
play an important role: slow flow, significantly reduced the height of the tidal wave and
restrict saltwater intrusion and groundwater protection. In this project, the combination of
shrimp farming and mangroves protection is compulsory and replanting for aquaculture
expansion is encouraged. As the results, the mangrove forest is recovered.

3. Methodology
The model to improve fisherman livelihood is simple an association between aquaculture
farming with mangroves planting. This model has three main sections:
5


Livelihood improvement in adaptation to climate change for fisherman

3.1. Building system
Based on the existing mangroves forest system, the farmer will be supplied nets and
equipments to surrounding their areas following the separation of commune council for
poor households. The area out of farming toward to sea will be planted some kind of
mangroves species, which have ever lived in this area before but were destructed by
human activities. By this way the wetland areas will be enhanced and it could involve

more poor local residents and improve their livelihood. After creating farming areas cooperated with mangroves, farmer will breed some aquatic species such as shrimp, crab,
oyster, fish… following the instruction of Agriculture and Fishery Expansion
Encouragement Office in local state. In inundating season, shrimp breeds will be put into
farm and start breeding processes. After that, before shrimp harvest season come in,
farmer will put fish breeds into farm. In 1 month before dry season coming, when water
level gradually go down, farmer will start raising crab. Therefore harvest activities will
go through a year; it will ensure the stable income for farmer while the cost pays for
breeding and farm treating is very low. Because the residual organic matter from
mangrove and also from other species will be the food for breeding aquatic species, so
famers will get higher profit than traditional farming method.
3.2. Output system
Nowadays eco-product is prevailing in the world; they get high price, especially exported
products. One criterion for this kind of product is quality, includes size and safety of
products. To meet these requirements, farmers need to use different kind of net with
various mesh size to satisfy order size and they must have a daily note to write down
some data about the starting time of raising process, quantity of antibiotic, foods and
other chemical substances used to create suitable environment condition for aquatic life,
it will submit for quality inspectors. To find the output for these products, provincial
council must have some motivated policy for some related companies such as processing
company, export company to purchase … to sign in contract and ensure supply resources
for these companies and create opportunities for transportation, purchase, tax reducing…
3.3. Management
Using co-management method, it means the activities of aquaculture co-operated with
mangroves forest will have the participation from two sides, one from commune staffs
and other from resident, who take part in this model. State will have role in land use
management; they will device mangroves forest area into farm and hand over it for poor
6


Livelihood improvement in adaptation to climate change for fisherman

people, base on some criteria the number of un-work people, poverty circumstance …
and planning for mangroves forest area development, beside they have right to punish
when detecting any illegal activity damage to the mangroves also farming area. Residents
will uptake responsibility on planting and farming. Through the way of using mangroves
forest co-operated with aquaculture will increase the responsibility in forest protection,
unity and society in facing with disease. Communities manage for themselves to prevent
any activities damage to mangroves forest. If anyone breaks the rule, they will get out of
this communities and their farming area will be confiscated.
4. Evaluation
The cost for this model is small and received significantly benefits not only for farmer
but also for environment. Although the productivities of this model is smaller than
traditional model, but the quality of eco-product is higher than traditional product.
Moreover, the farmers breed a lot of aquatic species all year round so they have several
incomes, it will ensure for sustainable livelihood. They harvest the products annually so
they do not need pay for labor renting in harvest season as traditional model. They also
do not have to reduce the price for traders if they harvest big amount in a short time and
need to sell them.
The model of aquaculture farming co-operated with mangroves will be divided into 3
phases with period is 3 year.
• Phase 1 (the first year)
Choose poor household for improving their livelihood
Supporting net and equipment for farmer to build their farm
Breeds supply for farming
Mangrove breeds for planting
• Phase 2 (the second year)
Continue step in phrase 1
Start mangroves area evaluation, create plan for planting more
• Phase 3 (the third year)
The model is familiar with residents and commune staffs, they can continue

this model for future. It will go to the end off project.
4.1 Measurement
To calculate the efficiency of this model, author will measure base on the received from
one ha.
As the intensive model, 1ha of shrimp received 30 ton/ha/year, while applying eco-model
will gain 10 ton/ha/year3. Eco-shrimp products are 150,000 VND/kg higher than normal
3 />
7


Livelihood improvement in adaptation to climate change for fisherman

products, which cost 113,000 VND/kg, in same size according to VASEP index in April
of 2014. Other income from oyster, fish, and crab will fall in round 150 million
VND/year. Therefore the total income will be 45 billions VND.
4.2 Investment
The investment from many organizations is the most important factor to decide the
success of this model. Initial investment for breeds, mangroves, surrounding net, fishing
gear… will cost approximate 80 millions VND/ha. Starting areas will be 300ha for about
60 families. So, the total cost will raise to 24 billions VND. The investment focus mainly
on phase 1. In the next phase, the maintaining cost will be 4 billion VND. The supporting
fund will be finish in phase 2, the fisherman can continue their model from phase 3. The
supporting organizations will assess the result of project. If the model is positive, it will
be expand to the other coastal area in Vietnam.
5. Dissemination
The project will be attract the investment from non-governmental organizations such as
FAO, WorldBank, SNV, Oxfarm, WWF, IUCN, etc.

6. Project summary
The consequences of climate change are now becoming more and more critically severe

that we should pay attention to the balance between economic development and
environmental protection. As we all known, aquatic species farming and it products are
important income for Vietnamese fisherman livelihood. On the other hand, mangroves
forest play an vital role in protecting the coastal areas in Vietnam. Therefore, in the
proposal we suggest the model of combining shrimp eco-farming and mangroves forest
protection in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam. The method is simple model: raising shrimp
productivity by utilizing the natural sources in mangroves forest, so the remaining cost
for food sources is typically decrease. The model will include of 3 phases with the
support of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development , local staffs and scientists for
fisherman to start and maintain the model therefore increase their livelihood. The total
investment for this model 28 billion VND. The expected outcomes of this model is to
produce the large quantity of safety shrimp products to serve for consumers and export.
The local staffs can encourage the enterprises to collect and purchase all the acceptable
products and ensure the long time period cooperation with the fisherman . If this model is
successful in Nam Dinh province, it can be expanded for other coastal provinces in
Vietnam.
7. Appendices
Source: Internet

8


Livelihood improvement in adaptation to climate change for fisherman

9