Executive Summary
The “Ocean Bliss” explored part of the Shabro River Estuary from the 6th to the 8th February 2009 with the intention of talking to local residents about the mangrove forest, and their livelihoods. We attempted to navigate an inland to ocean transect and a farmer to fisherman livelihoods transect with varied success. Responses and issues raised were remarkably consistent. We suggest that the following issues be followed up:
1) Use of solar distillation technology. All communities had problems with fresh water, even on York Island the water was of very poor quality. We encountered several canoes ladened with “battas” (plastic 25 l containers) full of water traveling many kilometers with the week's water supply for a community.
2) Erosion of mangroves. Two villages had moved due to erosion, erosion was also mentioned on York. Identification of areas of expanding mangroves proved difficult to identify, it is not clear whether there is widespread retreat or a natural cycle.
3) What to do about illegal trawling. We observed two trawlers working in the estuary on Sunday 8th February at 7º 41.096'N, 12º 39.872'W at 11:25 and at 7º 41.400'N, 12º 42.411'W at 11:43. However, their size, speed and the wake produced meant that too close an approach even in a boat the size of the “Ocean Bliss” is not advisable. Perhaps a really long range paint gun (with oil paint) could be used to mark the boats for later interrogation?
4) Use of mangrove mud as a building material. Nowhere was the mangrove mud being used as a building material – why is this?
In addition the following questions may yield useful results.
5) Where are the salt makers?
6) Where is land being converted to paddy rice?
7) Population survey of crocodiles
8) Population survey (and identification of species) of dolphins and/or porpoises to compliment the manatee survey
