The Mangrove Action Committee says its next consultation will be held on Friday in Fort Wellington, Region Five in order to garner more information at the community level.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release about 100 persons including fishermen, students and beekeepers attended the most recent consultation held at the Guyana School of Agriculture.

In his address Director of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Dr Oudho Homenauth reiterated the importance of mangroves and their effectives in sea defence. He said mangroves also play a key role in climate change efforts by sequestering carbon.

Chairperson of the Mangrove Action Committee Annette Martins pointed out that it is important for persons to become involved in the protection and preservation of mangroves. She said too the economic reality of restoring mangroves is more cost effective than building sea defences.

Follow-up consultations will be held “at community levels” so inputs from persons who depend on mangroves for a livelihood are welcome, GINA said. According to the release Mangrove Specialist Owen Bovell; Project Co-ordinator Bissasar Chintamanie; Community Development Specialist Paul McAdam; Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette; and European Union Representative John Townend also attended the meeting.