Analysis of the ecosystem services of mangrove to fisheries in the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam

This dataset focuses on fisheries in mangrove areas of southern Vietnam. The study was designed to determine the optimal level of mangrove coverage for fisheries, while also examining the drivers of mangrove conversion to other land uses. The dataset provides valuable evidence for policymakers seeking to strengthen mangrove management and conservation strategies. The research project that guided the data collection pursued the following objectives: To examine the impacts of mangrove coverage on fisheries productivity and profitability. To assess the effects of mangrove coverage on risks associated with fishery production. To estimate the relationship between mangroves and fisheries. To investigate the determinants of mangrove conversion. Data were collected during field trips to fishing villages along the southern coast of Vietnam. The first wave of data was conducted between August 2014 and April 2015, and the second wave took place between September and December 2017. The final sample consists of 950 observations from 431 households whose livelihoods depend on fishing, located in 11 communes across six provinces: Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, and Tra Vinh. Mangrove forest area indicators at the commune level were measured using two complementary sources. The first source relied on official data reported by the Forestry Management Department, while the second was calculated from satellite imagery using Google Earth.