Tanzanian Coastal and Marine Resources

1. What Problem? 

Ecosystem dynamics: Biophysical environment characteristics and environmental services; human and environment relationship; carrying capacity (capability and suitability to support utilisation) and natural recovery and rehabilitation.

2.What solution: 

a) Socio-economic processes followed in the communities in relation to management of resources; traditional
knowledge; social incentives for conservation; development of alternative income-generating activities and 

b) Integrated coastal management provides a framework and process for linking different sectors and

governance levels 

3. How could your solution positively change lives if it was scaled globally?

The methodology on the involvement of all people of different cadres (indigenous people, politicians, environmentalists, ecologists, business people, conservationists, policy makers, farmers etc..) to identify the problem, analyzing the impacts of the problem and designing mitigation measures and implementation of the plan to realize the positive outcomes, that would by itself add value to the international community.  

Tanzania’s coastline is rich ecologically and economically.  It stretches approximately 2,300 kilometers, richly with estuaries, mangrove forests, beaches, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and deltas of large rivers. Covers 15 % of the nation’s total land area, support approximately 25% of the population (about 8 million of people). The coastal population is projected to increase to 20 million by 2030.

There have been no proper and documented initiatives to enhance the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources along the coastline of Tanzania. The ecosystem dynamics have continuously been degraded. Thus, there is a need to revamp the situation by developing intentional mechanisms to restore the already degraded costal line ecosystems. The following are the workable mechanisms for ecosystem restorations:

 Ecosystem Dynamics 

• Dialogue and linkage between traditional and scientific knowledge systems
• Establishment of mechanisms for interaction between scientists, decision-makers and managers.

Socio-economic Processes

• Involvement and empowerment of local communities and civil society.
• Integration of socio-economic opportunities into planning and implementation of conservation projects and programs.

Institutions

• Strengthening of the existing relevant institutions that provide entry to decision-making processes.

Policies

• Policies should be based on a wider range of regulatory and non-regulatory tools, with regulation and enforcement 

The Tanzania  marine and coastline resources are being degraded and that is the fact. The ecosystem dynamics have been  are continuously defaulted whereby the local communities and other stakeholders have been silence with the situation. 

The anthropogenic activities which are affecting the Tanzania coastal natural resources include the following:

• Illegal and destructive fishing practices (using dynamites and unspecified fishing nets) live coral, and sand mining,
• intensive trampling on seagrasses, municipal wastewater, and clearing of mangrove and other coastal forests for commercial and domestic purposes –threatening the coastal and marine ecosystems.

There have been lack of intervention to restore such ecosystems. This is perhaps there has been no proper technology and expertise to address the problem. 

Here, the proposed mechanisms is to undergo the thorough research so as to come with valid and updated information. The identified gaps and challenges will be designed into implementable programs which will at least reduce the rate of degradation gradually and finally bring the solution to sustainability. 

Tanzania Coastline Ecosystem Dynamics

• Introduction

Tanzania has approximately area of about 945,087 Km2 with diverse range of both terrestrial and marine biodiversity which acts as an umbrella of different set up of ecosystem dynamics in Tanzania.

Tanzania’s coastline is rich ecologically and economically.  It stretches approximately 2,300 kilometers, richly with estuaries, mangrove forests, beaches, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and deltas of large rivers. Covers 15 % of the nation’s total land area, support approximately 25% of the population (about 8 million of people). The coastal population is projected to increase to 20 million by 2030.

Mangrove forests: area is about 115,500 ha Stretch from Kenya boarder (North) to that of Mozambique (South), with high concentration, 53,000 ha in the Rufiji River Delta (largest single mangrove forest in coastal environment experiencing changes as a result of natural and anthropogenic causes.

1.1 Anthropogenic impacts on ecosystem

The anthropogenic activities which are affecting the Tanzania coastal natural resources include the following:

• Illegal and destructive fishing practices (using dynamites and unspecified fishing nets) live coral, and sand mining,
• intensive trampling on seagrasses, municipal wastewater, and clearing of mangrove and other coastal forests for commercial and domestic purposes –threatening the coastal and marine ecosystems

2.0 Brief Description of Tanzania Coastal Resources

Traditional coastal settlements are generally situated in relation to the availability of natural resources: Correlations can be seen between the location of coastal villages and their proximity to coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds and fishing grounds. Beaches provide suitable working places and landing sites. More recent developments are also located according to resources: Port facilities occupy natural harbours, tourist hotels are sited adjacent to beaches and coral reefs, and aquaculture sites are situated according to their various biophysical requirements, whereas industrial enterprises are more mobile.

2.1. Coral Reefs

Corals occur along shallow, tropical coastlines where the marine waters are clean, clear and warm. The complex topography and the high retention of nutrients by coral communities make coral reefs one of the most productive ecosystems in the world (Lewis 1991, Hughes 1991;).

Coral reefs are currently subject to a wide range of natural and anthropogenic disturbances at different intensities and in varying combinations. The anthropogenic disturbances include direct physical destruction (due to destructive fishing methods and live coral mining), pollution, and over-exploitation. Leading natural disturbances include crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks and coral bleaching; however, it is unclear as to whether or how anthropogenic influences have affected these phenomena (Johnstone et al. 1998).

3.2. Mangrove Forests

Mangrove ecosystems play a key ecological role in the coastal environment. Mangroves are trees that flourish in salty, anaerobic and acidic soils. Mangroves grow in sheltered areas of brackish water, where freshwater mixes with seawater. These areas include estuaries, lagoons, bays, tidal creeks, and inlets (Semesi 1986).

In recent years, the rate and variety of human influences on the mangroves have increased to the extent that the trees are threatened with destruction in some areas. One of the most pressing issues in the mangrove forests is the loss of sheltered areas due to conversion for commercial purposes. These purposes include conversion to agricultural lands; clearing of mangroves for rice farms in Rufiji Delta, Tanzania (Semesi 1991); conversion to salt pans (Semesi 1991); conversion to aquaculture ponds (prawn farming) (Semesi 1998); and clearance for urban and industrial development (Semesi 1991). Other threats include alteration of the hydrological conditions (dams upstream of rivers) (Semesi 1986); pollution through using mangrove forests as rubbish dumps (Shunula 1998); and over-exploitation of resources, mainly through clearing of mangroves for fuel and construction purposes (Banyikwa and Semesi 1986).

2.3. Fish Stocks

Marine fisheries in the coastal Tanzania area are predominantly subsistence and artisanal and are mainly concentrated in shallow waters (less than 30m). Subsistence and artisanal fisheries catches are mainly comprised of a few species’ groups, namely parrot fish, rabbitfish, sardines, and mackerels, which together account for over 50% of the total catch. The biodiversity of catches are very high by global standards.

There are also several industrial fishing companies in operation; all of these are foreign-owned (some in joint ventures with Tanzanians) and mostly operate in the Bagamoyo-Saadani area and the Rufiji Delta, fishing mainly for prawns (shrimp) (Mgaya et al. 1999). They also catch many non-target species and dump these as low value ‘by-catch’. The trawlers severely damage seagrasses and other bottom biotopes, thus harming the habitats of the fish and crustaceans. This has a negative impact on the artisanal and small-scale fisheries too, in addition to the direct physical damage caused by trawlers to traps and nets belonging to traditional fishers.

2.4. Seagrass Beds          

Seagrass beds are a common feature in subtidal and intertidal mud and sand flats, coastal lagoons, and sandy areas around the bases of shallow fringing and patch reefs. In Tanzania, seagrass beds are widely distributed from high intertidal to shallow subtidal areas. They are found in sheltered areas of the coast around Kilwa, Rufiji and Ruvu. They also occur extensively on the western side of Pemba, Unguja and Mafia islands. Seagrasses are common in the vicinity of coral reefs and are linked to them physically and in terms of energy flows. Seagrass beds are highly productive and serve many ecological functions. These include providing breeding, nursery, and feeding areas for many invertebrate and vertebrate species including commercially important species of finfish and shellfish, and shelter and refuge for resident and transient adult animals. Seagrasses are an important food source for herbivorous invertebrates, fish, dugong, and green turtles. Additional ecological functions of seagrass include the trapping of sediments, which reduces sedimentation over coral reefs and therefore protects shorelines, and the dissipation of wave energy, which also provides protection to the beaches. Because seagrass beds are mainly found in shallow water close to shore and to human activities, they are very vulnerable to pressure from those activities. Major threats to the survival of seagrass beds come from excessive sedimentation of coastal waters resulting from the different human activities; from increased turbidity, which tends to cut down the light penetration; and from inshore prawn trawling and seine nets, which   destroy seagrass beds.

2.5. Beaches

Beaches are an interface or meeting zone between land and sea. They are dynamic features and are often under the combined influence of many factors and processes which themselves are subject to change. These include geological, climatic and oceanographic processes. Beaches are important both ecologically and economically. For example, sandy beaches are essential as nesting habitats for marine turtles. Turtles are dependent on availability of beaches for successful reproduction: Female turtles lay their eggs on sandy beaches some distance above the spring high tide mark; once turtle nesting beaches are established, the females often return to the same beaches to lay eggs. Beaches also offer recreational areas for local people and tourists alike. Muddy beaches support a variety of benthic fauna that are fed upon by a diversity of resident and migratory birds. Moreover, beaches offer working places for coastal communities, relaxing and attractive environments, and a source of income through tourism. Additional functions of beaches include acting as a buffer against wave action and serving as nesting sites for birds. Beaches are affected by a number of human activities, some of which lead to beach erosion problems, inaccessibility for local people if the beaches have been privatized, and disruption of the nesting areas. Sand removal/obstruction, degradation of protective ecosystems, and construction on the beaches are the main threats to beaches.

3.0 Sustainable Use of Coastal and Marine Resources

There have been no proper and documented initiatives to enhance the sustainable use of coastal and marine resources along the coastline of Tanzania. The ecosystem dynamics have continuously been degraded. Thus, there is a need to revamp the situation by developing intentional mechanisms to restore the already degraded costal line ecosystems. This can ca be done through encouraging local stewardship, various environmental stakeholders both at national and international levels in the management of the  of marine and coastal resources. The following are the proposed and workable mechanisms to restore the Tanzania marine and coastline ecosystem restorations:

 3.1 Ecosystem Dynamics

• Dialogue and linkage between traditional and scientific knowledge systems integrated into coastal management.
• Establishment of mechanisms for interaction between scientists, decision-makers and managers.
• Continued human and technical capacity building in research institutions.

3.2 Socio-economic Processes

• Involvement and empowerment of local communities and civil society.
• Recognition and respect for traditional land and sea tenure.
• Open availability of information.
• Equitable benefit sharing with communities involved.
• Integration of socio-economic opportunities into planning and implementation of conservation projects and programs.
• Community contribution to meeting some of the costs of implementation of planned activities.

3.3. Institutions

• Recognition of traditional institutions, or alternatively, institution-building based on relevant components of the traditional management regimes.
• Collaboration between traditional and government institutions based upon openness and mutual respect.
• Strengthening of the existing relevant institutions that provide entry to decision-making processes.
• Development of management agreements between institutions to improve cross-sectoral co-ordination.
• Creation of opportunities to build trust between government officials and NGOs (e.g., short-term staff exchanges could help build trust and develop a long-term partnership).

3.4. Policies

• Long-term and broad-based thinking.
• Science should inform the policy process, through clarifying the options for and the implications of different policies.
• Public involvement in policy-making and implementation.
• Policies should be based on a wider range of regulatory and non-regulatory tools, with regulation and enforcement increasingly used as a last resort

Conclusion

We need to coordinate and sensitize various stakeholders including local communities on the essentials of restoring the ecosystems for today and for the future generations. We need to take action now, otherwise things will turn to worst if there are no the purposive actions to be taken now.

We call upon international and national communities to join efforts through funding and expertise to restore the marine and coastline resources.

References

Banyikwa, F.F. and Semesi, A.K. 1986. Endangered mangrove ecosystems. The case of the Kunduchi and Mbweni mangrove forests. In Mainoya, J.R. and P.J.Siegel (eds.), Proc. Save the Mangrove Ecosystems in Tanzania Workshop. 21-22 February 1986, Dar es Salaam, pp. 103-132.

Hughes, R.N. 1991. Reefs. In: Baines, R.S.K. and Mann, K.H. (eds.), Fundamentals of Aquatic Ecology. Blackwell Science, London. pp 213-229.

Johnstone, R.W., Muhando, C.A. and Francis, J. 1998. The status of the coral reefs of Zanzibar: One example of regional predicament. Ambio 27(8):700-707.

Lewis, J. 1991. Coral reef ecosystem. In: Longhurst, A.R. (ed.), Analysis of Marine Ecosystems. Academic Press, London. pp. 127-158.

Mgaya, Y.D., Muruke, M.H.S., Chande, A.I., and Semesi, A.K. 1999. Evaluation of crustacean resources in Bagamoyo district, Tanzania. In: Howell, K.M. and Semesi, A.K. (Editors) 1999. Coastal Resources of Bagamoyo District Tanzania. Proceedings of a Workshop on Coastal Resources of Bagamoyo. 18-19 December 1997, Bagamoyo. Faculty of Science, University of Dar es Salaam. Pp. 55-63.

Semesi, A.K. 1998. Status and utilisation of mangroves along the coast of Tanzania. In Mainoya, J.R. (ed.), Proc. Workshop on ecology and bioproductivity of the marine coastal waters of Eastern Africa, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 18-20 January 1988. Faculty of Science, University of Dar es Salaam

Shunula, J.P. 1998. Ecological studies on selected mangrove swamps in Zanzibar. PhD thesis. University of Dar es Salaam. 270pp.

The  issue of ecosystem restoration has been an agenda of the United Nation Environmental Program starting 2020-2030. The aforesaid project area is also aligning with the international agenda of ecosystem restorations. 

The Tanzania coastline stretches approximately 2,300 kilometers, richly with estuaries, mangrove forests, beaches, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and deltas of large rivers. Covers 15 % of the nation’s total land area, support approximately 25% of the population (about 8 million of people). Yet these resources are being distorted at an alarming speed that if there is no intervention things will go to worse hence jeopardizing the future generations.

I have selected the growth stage because in the proposed project area, there have been various activities and awareness taking place but there has been no significant changes on the ground. The methodology used has never given the required fruits on the concept of ecosystem restoration. This might be thought as a phased project that need to redeem and devise different mechanism to attain the main goal which is ecosystem restoration. The proposed research will build up a thorough knowledge of which will assist to design proper programs of bridging the gaps in all essences of ecosystem restorations.  The participation of all cadres from different sectors (public, private, international and local, policy makers and implementers and willingness from the political leaders) and environmental stakeholders will initiate and substantiate the mechanisms for the project sustainability. The key issues here remain awareness, commitments, implementations and realization and  from all key players.

Currently 7 people

My team has a range of skills and Knowldges about environment.

3 have masters in Natural Resources Assessment and Management, two have Masters in Sociology, and other have degrees in Marine ecology. We can also include others as per requirements