Mangrove Deforestation: A Threat to Coastal Agribusinesses and Blue Economies.

Abstract

Mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems on earth, providing a range of ecological, social, and economic benefits. Aside from maintaining biodiversity, they also play a vital role in supporting coastal agribusinesses and blue economies by sustaining fisheries, aquaculture, and eco-tourism, as well as value-added industries. Although having these benefits, global mangrove forests are undergoing rapid decline due to deforestation, largely driven by aquaculture expansion, land conversion for agriculture, and urban growth/industrial development, exacerbated by climate-driven pressures. Saltwater intrusion into farmland, deteriorating soil fertility, and increasing salinity are further complicating the operations of coastal agribusinesses. The consequences include lower yields in fisheries, increased storm vulnerability, and the loss of market opportunities (blue carbon credits & eco-certification). This review synthesizes the international literature on mangrove deforestation with a focus on implications for coastal agribusinesses. It explores the importance of mangroves in ecological and economic terms, identifies anthropogenic and climate-related drivers for deforestation, and assesses consequences for fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, and livelihoods. Moreover, it evaluates policy frameworks and management tools, including community-based conservation, payment for ecosystem services (PES), eco-certification, and large-scale restoration. The results highlight that mangrove conservation is not only an environmental imperative but also an economic necessity. The health of mangrove forests is intrinsically linked to coastal agribusiness systems, which are major contributors to food security and to export-oriented blue economies. The actions to protect and restore mangroves are a dual investment in terms of both ecological resilience and agribusiness competitiveness. The review concludes with recommendations for incorporating natural capital assessment, policy innovation, and community involvement into mangrove management approaches to promote sustainable, resilient coastal development.