Inharrime Complex

Located about 200 km north of Maputo in southern Mozambique and extends from the mouth of the River Limpopo to north of Xai Xai town in Gaza Province. Area covered of approximately 8,520 km squared.

Description

The Limpopo River estuary flows through a mosaic of wetlands including coastal barrier lakes and parabolic sand dunes. A high-energy rocky shoreline extends northwards from the river mouth, behind which are a number of small sheltered lagoons. Offshore exist several isolated coral reefs. This is a remarkable highenergy coastline with a high diversity of habitats and species including a globally significant fish community through the presence of a relatively large number of endemic species. The Boa Paz up-welling creates a nutrient rich environment that boosts productivity. Intense turtle nesting activity takes place on the more sheltered beaches. The coastal lakes and sand dunes are a unique feature of southern Mozambique and the former provides feeding grounds for a variety of migrant birds including Madagascan endemic species. It is also important as a stopover for dugong and whales during their migrations along the coast. Assigned subregional importance because of its importance for endemic fish, its habitat and species diversity, use as a feeding area by Madagascan endemic birds and the likely importance of the barrier lakes.

Contacts

Instituto de Investigacoes Pesqueiras, Mozambique and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane.

Conservation Status

No formal conservation status exists. The area is still of the highest quality as most habitats are still relatively undisturbed e.g. the lagoon system is still in good condition, however there is some evidence that some fish stocks are showing moderate decreases through high levels of industrial fishing. There is also some turtle egg collection by the local population as well as cultivation on sand dunes.

Summary of threats and information needs

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