Can Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture, or silvofishery, truly be considered a blue carbon project?IMA sits at the center of a growing debate in blue carbon: should projects prioritize maximum carbon storage and ecological restoration, or can they make room for the realities of communities who depend on mangrove landscapes for food and income?On paper, IMA raises tough questions. Dikes and gates can disrupt tidal flows, limiting ecological function. Stagnant pond water can emit methane and nitrous oxide, reducing the project’s net climate benefit. For some scientists and practitioners, this means IMA falls short of what a carbon project should be.

But on the ground, the picture is more complex. By allowing aquaculture among mangroves, IMA can create incentives for communities to protect trees rather than clear them for intensive ponds. In some cases, mangroves can also improve aquaculture yields, strengthening local support and long-term project survival.This webinar will unpack the science, trade-offs, and practical realities behind IMA and blue carbon.

We’ll explore when these approaches may be compatible, where the risks are, and whether a “less perfect” project that lasts can sometimes deliver more impact than an ideal project that fails.