HAITI / MANGROVES

In Haiti's north coast, the mangroves are making a slow comeback through efforts of a local environmental group and funding from USAID. In the last 50 years, the mangrove forests here have been devastated - almost entirely cut down for charcoal fuel. These shoreline plantations are an integral part of maritime ecology. MINUSTAH

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:46
• Production Date: 3 August 2009
• Asset Language: Original
• Subject Topical: ECOSYSTEMS; ENVIRONMENT
• Geographic Subject: HAITI; UNITED NATIONS STABILIZATION MISSION IN HAITI - MINUSTAH
• MAMS Id: U090803a

Description

STORY: HAITI / MANGROVES
TRT: 2.46
SOURCE: MINUSTAH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: CREOLE/ NATS

DATELINE 21 JULY 2009 / BAS-LIMBE, HAITI

Shotlist

1. Med shot, man shoveling muck in the water
2. Wide shot, man picking up a basket with a mangrove plant
3. Tilt up, newly planted mangrove seedling
4. Wide shot, men planting mangrove seedlings
5. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Odule Augustin, Technical Director, Village Planète:
“It’s a natural barrier that is really important for the reproduction of fish and other small sea creatures. Mangrove roots are nesting areas for marine life. A lot of small fish live and mature there.”
6. Med shot, mangrove seedling with planters in the background
7. Tilt up, men planting a seedling
8. Wide shot, man with a shovel in the water
9. Wide shot, mangroves next to the sea
10. Pan right, panorama of mangrove forest
11. Wide shot, mangroves in the bay
12. Pan right, siltation on the surface of the ocean
13. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Alibert Joslin, Deputy Mayor, Bas-Limbe:
“We try to prevent people from cutting down the mangroves. We have a community decree that says those who cut mangroves without authorization will be arrested and punished. We need to be protecting them.”
14. Pan right, mangroves next to a village
15. Wide shot, house with a rusty roof
16. Close up, rusty roof of a house
17. Med shot, damaged banana leaves
18. Wide shot, damaged banana tree leaves and people walking
19. Wide shot, fishing boat near the shore
20. Med shot, fishing boat full of fishermen
21. SOUNDBITE (Creole) Abraham Léonel, President Of Local Fishing Association:
“These days we have to work together to prevent people from cutting the mangroves. We have to manage the environment together.”
22. Med shot, fishermen in a training seminar
23. Pan left, fishermen getting a mangrove training
24. Med shot, fishermen leaning against the hull of a boat
25. Med shot, crabs in the water
26. Wide shot, crabs in the water near mangroves
27. Med shot, woman fishing for tiny shrimp in a net
28. Wide shot, women fishing for tiny shrimp in a net
29. Wide shot, mangrove seedlings in a nursery
30. Wide shot, freshly planted mangrove seedlings
31. Med shot, mangrove seedling near the shore
32. Wide shot, boat moored near the shore, seen through a mature mangrove tree

Storyline

In Haiti’s north coast, the mangroves are making a slow comeback through the efforts of a local environmental group, Village Planete, and funding from USAID. In the last 50 years, the mangrove forests here have been devastated - almost entirely cut down for charcoal fuel. These shoreline plantations are an integral part of maritime ecology.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Odule Augustin, Technical Director, Village Planète:
“It’s a natural barrier that is really important for the reproduction of fish and other small sea creatures. Mangrove roots are nesting areas for marine life. A lot of small fish live and mature there.”

As mangroves disappear, the fish, crabs, and birds that make their home there also vanish. This is a major blow to the local villages, which depend on fishing to survive. Village Planète is working with local fishing associations to replant nearly 4km of coast with more than 10,000 mangroves.

In the village of Bas-Limbe, local government has played a pivotal role in mangrove conservation by prosecuting illegal cutting. Beyond protecting local fauna, mangroves also reduce the amount of silt that reaches the ocean – which protects soil, and coral reefs.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Alibert Joslin, Deputy Mayor, Bas-Limbe:
“We try to prevent people from cutting down the mangroves. We have a community decree that says those who cut mangroves without authorization will be arrested and punished. We need to be protecting them.”

Mangroves also protect villages from hurricanes, and a harsh coastal environment. Without them, saltwater winds blast people’s homes, destroying metal roofing.

The salty winds also burn vegetation and destroy crops, making it harder to grow enough to eat. Fishermen in the area have noticed that disappearing mangroves mean a smaller catch. They are becoming more concerned with protecting the plants.

SOUNDBITE (Creole) Abraham Léonel, President of Local Fishing Association:
“These days we have to work together to prevent people from cutting the mangroves. We have to manage the environment together.”

With the help of Village Planète, 600 people in 12 different villages are getting training to form local mangrove management committees. The NGO believes that education and strong community management will go a long way to sustainably protect the mangroves.

One of the biggest motivations is greater income. Crabs, crustaceans, and shrimp will become more plentiful, and will stimulate the local economy. People will have more fish to eat, and more to sell in the market.

The good news is mangroves grow fast. In just 8 years, small seedlings can reach mature growth. By bringing back the mangroves on Haiti’s north coast, local communities will protect their livelihoods, and have the chance for a better life.