Natural mangrove die-off results in sea defence works

Guyana’s coastline has seen some considerable sea defence construction in light of the natural die-off of the mangroves. One such area is the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) where works were carried out by the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s Sea and River Defence Unit, in an effort to avoid flooding.
The mangroves, which serve as the main barrier between the people of the coastland and the vast waters of the Demerara River, have been subjected to natural die-off during the past three years. As such, the amount of mangrove cover has been reduced significantly.
When contacted, Head of the Mangrove Office at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Kene Moseley explained that the area is been monitored to determine whether or not mangroves will be planted immediately, as certain assessments are necessary and must be carried out.
“We have to monitor the area. One of the areas has to stop with the erosion cycle. If it starts accreting again, we will consider to monitor, to make sure it reached the right elevation. And then we may or may not do planting, depending on whether or not the area starts to naturally regenerate, but we have to continue monitoring. At the moment we, don’t plan to do any planting.”
It was also clarified that the mangroves were there for the primary defence in that area. As the mangroves deteriorated, residents experienced flooding and thus, the sea defence unit was subjected to build riprap structures which they have been doing.
Guyanese conservationist Annette Arjoon-Martins in commenting on the phenomenon she stated that due to the natural process of erosion, the sea defence workers are doing a ‘remarkable’ job of trying to save the banks of the river from eroding completely. This will help to prevent flooding of areas where people reside where this kind of erosion is occurring.