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Contents

eyeball Country profile
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eyeball Biological significance
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eyeball Conservation threats
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eyeball WWF involvement
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eyeball Achievements
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eyeball Scholarships
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eyeball Udzungwa mountains National Park
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eyeball Environmental education - TEEP
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eyeball Ruaha National Park
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eyeball Conservation of lowland coastal forests
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eyeball Mafia island marine park blue line
header: Tanzania


MAFIA ISLAND MARINE PARK

Researcher Christopher Muhando (Project T20057)

Mafia Island Marine Park (MIMP) was gazetted in April 1995 to conserve part of one of the most diverse marine and coastal ecosystems in East Africa. MIMP protects habitats such as hard coral dominated reefs, soft coral and algal dominated reefs, sheltered back reef systems, inter-tidal flats, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and sub-tidal beds of algae, sponge and soft coral. The area includes critical habitat for the dugong and five species of threatened sea turtles, and has been recognised as a critical site for biodiversity.

The fisheries around Mafia Island provide much of the area's local food needs, as well as substantial income for the community. However, the productivity of Mafia's marine and coastal habitats is under threat, and these threats are cumulative. They include recent rises in the occurrence of dynamite fishing, increased use of seine nets, coral mining, anchor damage, and pollution from terrestrial run-off and ship discharges. These pressures are further compounded by continued population increases and unregulated tourist developments along the coastal strip.

This project supports priority conservation and development activities. Proposed activities focus on working with Mafia communities to improve management practices and decision-making links, strengthening participation of the Mafia community, consolidating infrastructure and staff, and providing a day-to-day management framework for the Park.

This project supports priority conservation and development activities. Dynamite fishing, one of the most serious and destructive threats to the environment, has been curtailed through the use of a WWF patrol boat and close collaboration with local authorities. In addition, an extensive radio network has been established which serves the dual purpose of anti-dynamite surveillance and facilitating intercommunity communications. Local development activities include support to community schools and assistance to a women's weaving cooperative.