The project site is located in Laoshi Village, Haitou Town. Laoshi Village is located in a typical estuary area surrounded by Zhubi River, where fresh water and seawater are mixed. The river ecosystem and marine ecosystem crisscross each other, forming a unique ecological environment and being an important habitat for various aquatic animals. At present, there are more than 300 people and 86 families living in the city. Most of them work outside the city to make a living. The average annual income of a person is about 2,800-4,200 US dollars.
Main problems:
1. The wetland was damaged after digging ponds to cultivate fish and shrimp. During the breeding period, a large amount of wastewater containing pollutants and feed is directly discharged into the sea, resulting in destroying offshore ecology and biodiversity.
2. More and more waste which is difficult to degrade is piled up in the abandoned breeding areas and around fishing villages. It flows into the wetland along with the flood tide, and some of it flows into the Zhubi River and further into the Beibu Gulf.
3. Villagers have weak awareness of environmental protection, waste management and classification, and lack of initiative and ability in conserving natural environment.
Solutions and activities:
1. Conduct investigation and issue guidance on ecological wetland restoration and mangrove habitat conservation.
2. Develop an experimental field for mangrove habitat restoration and eco-breeding.
3. Carry out garbage cleaning activities and pollution monitoring in the wetland and breeding areas.
4. Organize capacity building activities on marine ecological conservation knowledge and garbage classification for villagers.
5. Organize local villagers and children to watch marine-related films.
6. Make project brochures and promotional short firms regarding project results.
Anticipated results:
1. 4 promotion meetings were held to support project implementation, and make project known to 430 people from 86 households.
2. Organize experts to carry out at least 8 times of mangrove habitat restoration training and explain on the eco-breeding technical guidance. Restore 2 ha of wetlands around shrimp ponds and plant 5,000-6,000 mangroves and other species. Guide the villagers to independently carry out a small-scale pilot cultivation of wetland species such as mud crab, etc., with 1,000 animals within 666 square meter.
3. Carry out marine science education 24 times in total, movie showing 4 times, with at least 50 people attending each time.
4. Produce video materials, at least 5 minutes of project promotional film, and print 500 copies of project brochures in Chinese and English.