Conservation for production? The benefits of mangroves for sustainable shrimp aquaculture

Mangroves are vital ecosystems that provide ecological and economic benefits to the global and local community, among them climate change mitigation. However, from 1980 to 2005, Indonesia was the country with the largest mangrove area loss, a 40% reduction due mainly to aquaculture development. As demand for aquaculture products continues to grow, there is a need for strategies that can simultaneously enhance shrimp production, prevent further mangrove deforestation, and promote mangrove restoration. Such approaches align with Natural Climate Solutions (NCS), which involve protecting, managing, and restoring natural ecosystems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon storage. To address this, we use a production function analysis based on cross-sectional spatial data and pond management information to assess the importance of mangrove forests for traditional shrimp aquaculture systems in Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. We find that high-density mangrove forests surrounding aquaculture ponds contribute to shrimp production. Thus, avoiding mangrove deforestation and restoring degraded areas can sustain and increase traditional aquaculture production, highlighting win–win opportunities for NCS, sustainable intensification, and improving livelihoods. Our results show the importance of conserving and restoring the underlying ecosystem to sustain shrimp production and highlight the common pool resource problem entailed in continuing the expansion of new ponds that replace mangrove forests.