Fish and Squid

Under this category only near-shore demersal and pelagic fish communities were considered, excluding those occurring beyond the continental shelf except for the oceanic Latham Island. A total of 28 important areas were identified of which one was of global importance, seven of ecoregion importance, 18 of subregional importance and there was insufficient information to assign a rank for two sites considered to be of potential significance (see table below). A high level of endemism was the main reason for the designation of the globally important Southern Mozambique shelf area. The presence of large numbers of Black marlin (Makaira indica), a species restricted to Eastern Africa and Australia was a common criterion for ecoregion and subregional importance rankings. Other criteria used were high diversity, upwellings providing food, importance as breeding areas and areas of high abundance. Only two sites crossed national borders: North Pemba Channel (Kenya-Tanzania) and Mtwara-Quirimbas (Tanzania-Mozambique).

Summary of important sites for fish and squid

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