The lush foliage of mangrove forests is now the pride of their host communities – a badge for environmental conservation, a natural protection from storm surges, and a potential tourist draw. This is a far cry from the times mangrove areas were seen as unproductive wastelands and were soon cleared to make way for aquaculture ponds. While aquaculture appears to be the main culprit for the destruction of mangroves in past decades, they are not mutually exclusive. Farming of fish, shrimps, and crabs within mangrove areas – termed aquasilviculture – may be done to combine the benefits of coastal protection, ecological productivity, and livelihood for nearby communities. Considering the natural ebb and flow of tidal waters within mangrove areas and the obstruction of trunks and roots, aquasilviculture is not as straightforward as pond culture where the water level may be controlled. However, farming amphibious mangrove crabs, also called mud crabs, is seen as the best option for aquasilviculture.

Dianala, R. D. B. (2020, February 29). Mangrove-friendly crab culture, a lucrative source of livelihood. Panay News, pp. B8, B6.