Leganes, Iloilo—An expert in mangrove-forest conservation is urging the government to plant mangroves in abandoned and illegal-fish ponds, particularly in coastal areas. Dr. Jurgenne H. Primavera, chief mangrove scientific advisor for the Zoological Society of London, said the Philippines needs to have more mangroves due to its vulnerability to extreme-weather events. Primavera noted mangroves can also contribute to fisheries production, carbon-sequestration, and climate-change mitigation and adaptation. Primavera, also a scientist emerita of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center’s Aquaculture Department in Tigbauan, Iloilo, said there are better economic opportunities waiting for coastal communities if fishponds are reverted into mangrove forest.

Mayuga, J. L. (2017, March 10). Expert urges government to plant mangroves in abandoned fish ponds in coastal areas. BusinessMirror, p. A9.