Aquaculture partnership signed for restoration of Ecuador's mangrove forests

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council has this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Labeyrie Fine Foods, and Ecuadorian shrimp producer Omarsa, committing to collaborating on the restoration of 10 hectares of mangrove forest in Ecuador.

The mangrove restoration agreement, formalised in Barcelona during the Seafood Expo Global 2025, will see the partners "collaborate on long-term efforts to restore degraded mangrove areas in Ecuador, promote community-based conservation, and integrate mangrove protection into sustainable seafood supply chains".

Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal resilience, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, and their restoration is seen as vital for both ecological and social sustainability. According to the MoU, the project aims to not only restore mangrove ecosystems but also to support local livelihoods by involving residents in seedling cultivation and planting. The effort will be supported by technical expertise and active engagement from the local community, the partners said.

“This partnership represents a positive step in demonstrating how seafood farming can support efforts to address climate change and habitat loss. It’s a reminder that meaningful impact starts when we choose change," said ASC CEO Chris Ninnes, in a press release.

“We’re proud to work with Labeyrie Fine Foods and Omarsa on this shared commitment - to restore mangroves through community action, supporting a healthier future for people, fish, farm and planet. I very much look forward to a long-term partnership to deliver this work and we would welcome other companies to come forward and join us in delivering this meaningful pathway for change," Ninnes added.

Omarsa General Manager Sandro Coglitore explained that the restoration project will take place near one of Omarsa’s shrimp farms located in the Gulf of Guayaquil.

“Cerrito de los Morreños is a commune of 140 families with approximately 570 inhabitants," Coglitore said. "For the reforestation project, the community leaders offered us the use of land provided to them by the Ministry of Environment to monitor and protect the area’s flora and fauna, including the crabs that grow and reproduce in the mangroves and which they harvest in an artisanal manner for their subsistence."

Coglitore explained that the red mangrove trees which will be used in the project will be sourced from a community nursery developed with support from Omarsa. He also noted that the initiative supports the UN Sustainable Development goals SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.