Ecuador's mangrove forests are facing significant threats as the demand for shrimp continues to rise. This surge in appetite is leading to the expansion of shrimp farms, which encroach on vital mangrove ecosystems.
The livelihoods of local shellfish gatherers are also at risk, as these developments disrupt traditional gathering practices and contribute to environmental degradation.
Additionally, unchecked pollution from shrimp farming practices exacerbates the situation, further endangering both the mangroves and the communities that rely on them.