The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provided a Marine Aquaculture Policy document in 2011 to delegate and facilitate sustainable marine aquaculture in U.S. waters. The policies accommodate environmental, social and economic approaches to management and aim to resolve issues caused by the unsustainable practices introduced by aquaculture, as well as supporting communities which benefit aquaculture business and employment.¹  

Considering the crucial problem that mangrove environments face with the growth of aquaculture, adhering to policy which protects the environment is beneficial to both the dependent ecosystems as well as the surrounding communities. Mangroves set up an environment which benefits marine life as well as coastline structure and filtration. Mangrove root systems are very dense, helping soil to stay in place and minimising erosion. The forests are responsible for taking in large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Many species rely heavily on mangrove environments, the forests support nursery territories for marine creatures, nesting branches for coastal birds and some species of oyster which rely on the roots under the water. Mangrove forests also serve as a resource for people as an aesthetically pleasing environment, but also a place to collect food and other resources in some communities of the world.²

NOAA’s Marine Aquaculture Policy is aims to provide goals which, when implemented, will benefit the health of marine life and environments. The goals of the policy include providing jobs, protecting wild species and ecosystems, advancing scientific knowledge, making valuable management decisions, supporting innovations and investments, further public understanding, work with federal partners, learn from international practices and accommodate federal and commercial priorities.¹ The Marine Aquaculture Policy shares a goal under Statement of Policy which takes into account the wellbeing of mangroves. The goal is as follows: “2. Ensure agency aquaculture decisions protect wild species and healthy, productive, and resilient coastal and ocean ecosystems, including the protecting of sensitive marine areas.” ¹ 

In America, mangrove forests can be found in southern Florida, along the coast of the gulf of Mexico and into Texas. Some of the loss of mangroves in Florida can be attributed to the development of buildings, harbors, roads and other economic expansion. Pollution and runoff from farms also impact mangroves. As freshwater is taken by dams and irrigation systems, depriving mangroves of the freshwater that they need to balance their salt water environment, as an area with too much salt can cause the forest to become too salty and dry out, killing the trees.³

The implementation of the aforementioned goal would improve the health of mangrove environments. Destroying mangrove environments for urban development is a good thing for businesses and people, creating jobs and infrastructure. However, the resources that this environment provides is unable to be replaced. Mangroves are an extremely valuable environment, supporting over one thousand species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians, as well as humans. The use of the land for aquaculture development is not a justification for mass deforestation of a critical ecosystem. 

Stakeholders may find goal 2, as well as other goals of the policy, limiting to their current success. If unsustainable practices are being carried out, then implementing sustainable practices could throw the operation out of rhythm, causing large changes in places where methods are causing problems, but generating profit. In the case of the mangroves, completely banning development on mangrove land as well as restoring forested environments would greatly alter the current aquaculture farms. 

Although there would be improvements to the environment, aquaculture operations would be greatly affected by implementing current policy on habitat protection and conservation, as many farms, as well as other infrastructure, are currently settled on the once valued environment. There are limitations with what changes can be made to already established aquaculture operations in areas which wish to be protected. Shutting these locations down is not a sustainable option, as many people rely on the continuation of the farm for their livelihood. Goal 2 most likely benefits future locations for aquaculture, as well as sustainable changes in current locations where it does not jeopardize the employees’ source of income. Although incorporating sustainable methods into currently standing operations can be difficult in some instances, there is policy in place to offer guidance to more sustainable methods for now and the future.

Bibliography

¹ “Marine Aquaculture Policy.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , June 2011, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/noaa-aquaculture-policies. 

² “Why Are Florida’s Mangroves Important?” The Nature Conservancy, 4 May 2020, www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/florida/stories-in-florida/why-mangroves-important/. 

³ “Four Threats to Manatees and Mangroves in Florida – and How We Can Save Them.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/stories/four-threats-to-manatees-and-mangroves-in-florida-and-how-we-can-save-them.