Mangroves are among the most productive and important coastal ecosystems on Earth. They act as natural buffers against storms, prevent coastal erosion, filter pollutants from water, and serve as nurseries for countless marine species, including many that are vital to fisheries and ocean health. These tangled forests provide shelter and breeding grounds for young fish, rays, and sharks, making them essential to sustaining life both above and below the waterline. In Panama, the mangroves near David in the province of Chiriquí are especially critical. At least 13 shark species and 7 ray species, including endangered and critically endangered species like the Pacific nurse shark (Ginglymostoma unami) and the Cerdale shark (Carcharhinus cerdale), depend on these mangroves to survive. Yet this habitat is now facing potential threar from the proposed construction of Puerto Barú, which would destroy a quarter of Panama’s mangrove cover through dredging and industrial development. Local fishers, ecotourism operators, and conservation groups are calling for the project to be reevaluated and relocated. Join us and the communities of Chiriquí in standing up for Panama’s mangroves, because protecting them means protecting biodiversity, livelihoods, and our shared future. Link in bio to join the fight! 🚨 🎥 Footage courtesy of @nbc