The Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems (SAIME) model has achieved Global Technical Recognition from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This significant recognition was conferred on October 15, 2025, during the FAO’s 80th Anniversary Celebrations and the World Food Forum in Rome, Italy. The SAIME model, developed by the Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS) in the Indian Sundarbans of West Bengal, demonstrates a powerful climate-adaptive and conservation-linked livelihood approach. It successfully integrates brackish water aquaculture, primarily for the high-value Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), with the active restoration and maintenance of mangrove forests, showing how human development can be harmonized with a fragile ecosystem.
/*Traditional Aquaculture's Ecological Cost*/
Unregulated and intensive aquaculture in the Sundarbans has historically been a significant driver of mangrove depletion and environmental degradation. The traditional methods prioritize monoculture with high chemical inputs, necessitating the clearing of valuable mangrove cover to expand pond areas. This land-use change not only removes a critical natural buffer against frequent cyclones and sea-level rise but also introduces pollutants into the delicate estuarine ecosystem. This unsustainable practice drastically increases the vulnerability of coastal communities while simultaneously escalating production costs for farmers, creating a negative feedback loop where economic gain is pitted directly against ecological health.
/*SAIME: A Climate-Adaptive, Ecosystem-Based Solution*/
The SAIME model offers a transformative, ecosystem-based approach by making mangrove integration a non-negotiable component of aquaculture. The methodology mandates that 5% to 30% of the aquaculture pond area be dedicated to mangrove coverage. This green infrastructure is not merely for conservation; it serves an ecological function by supplying mangrove litter and detritus, which act as a natural, chemical-free fodder source for the farmed Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon). This community-participatory approach standardizes good aquaculture practices, promoting low stocking densities and minimizing reliance on external, costly chemical inputs, thereby stabilizing the ecosystem and ensuring a higher-quality product.
/*Doubling Profits and Enhancing Coastal Resilience*/
The successful implementation of SAIME across 29.84 hectares of farm area by 42 fish farmers in North and South 24 Parganas districts provides robust proof of its economic viability. Latest authentic data confirms that farmers practicing the SAIME model have experienced an increase in their annual average net profit by over 100%. This remarkable financial improvement is primarily a result of the significant reduction in production costs associated with eliminating chemical fertilizers and manufactured feed. Furthermore, the restored mangroves enhance coastal resilience, protecting the farms and communities from the increasing threats of sea-level rise, salinity intrusion, and cyclonic storm surges, thereby ensuring long-term livelihood security.
/*FAO Global Recognition and Contribution to Climate Action*/
The conferral of the FAO’s Global Technical Recognition to the SAIME model underscores its global significance as a blueprint for sustainable food systems. The initiative directly supports global climate goals by positioning the integrated mangroves as natural "blue carbon" sinks, significantly enhancing carbon sequestration and contributing to climate change mitigation. This prestigious award, presented at the World Food Forum in Rome, affirms that the chemical-free, ecosystem-based approach developed by NEWS is a model for balancing economic needs with environmental responsibility, aligning perfectly with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life Below Water and on Land (SDG 14 & 15).
/*A Blueprint for Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods*/
The SAIME initiative is a vital replicable model for other coastal regions in South and Southeast Asia that are grappling with the dual challenges of mangrove degradation and climate vulnerability. By establishing a market-linked value chain that includes farmer institutions and the potential for organic branding and certification, the model ensures fair prices and inclusive growth for small and marginal farmers. The successful blend of ecological restoration with sustainable economics demonstrated by SAIME provides a clear pathway for policymakers and development practitioners to build climate-resilient livelihoods, ensuring the long-term well-being of both the vulnerable coastal communities and the critical mangrove ecosystem.