The concept of mangrove ecosystem rehabilitation is considered. Four main reasons for rehabilitating mangroves are identified: conservation, landscaping, sustainable production and coastal protection. Practical aspects of mangrove rehabilitation, such as the causes of site degradation, site selection, source of seedlings and planting, monitoring and maintenance are then briefly mentioned. Future developments that may impact on mangrove ecosystem restoration such as the importance of biodiversity, biotechnology, ecological modelling, mapping, human ecology and data bases, are then briefly reviewed. Finally, the matter of choice and necessity is addressed.