Cross Border Site: Tanzania - Mozambique

Mtwara - Quirimbas

A Tanzania-Mozambique cross-border site, extending from Mtwara town in southern Tanzania to Pemba town in northern Mozambique. The site includes Mnazi Bay, the Ruvuma Delta, Mocimboa da Praia, Pemba Bay and the 30+ islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago. The area covers approximately 9,370 km squared.

Description

A complex of bays, delta, dunes, extensive fringing and patch reefs and coralline islands. The Quirimbas Archipelago comprises over 30 coralline islands of various sizes. Extensive reef formations provide a barrier to erosion that protects the inshore reefs and other habitats. Effective linkages between habitat types are noted and the exposed coastline is adapted to highenergy wind and wave action. Due to the South Equatorial Current diverging in this area, the area has a high replenishment capability, possibly being of critical importance as a source for marine larvae and spores for the northern and southern parts of the ecoregion. There are over 48 genera of scleractinian coral, 15 species of soft coral, 137 species of macroalgae and 400 species of fish. The exposed slopes of the outer reefs provide the longest spur and groove system* known in the ecoregion. There are unique sand dunes for this portion of coast close to Msimbati in Tanzania with the likelihood of endemic flora. It is an important area for dugong, Humpback whales, turtles, dolphins, birds (including Crab plovers) and pelagic fish.

* "spur-and-groove system" contains long ridges of coral, bisected by sand channels that merge with the reef flat. The ridges are termed "spurs" and the sand channels "grooves."

Contacts

MPRU - Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park, Quirimbas National Park, MICOA, and MET.

Conservation Status

The status of habitats varies with the outer reefs in good condition but there is some degradation of inner reefs and mangroves. There has also been some impact of fishing on fish community structure close to urban centers. Recently coral bleaching has also impacted both inner and outer reefs. Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park was gazetted under the Marine Parks and Reserves Act (1994) of Tanzania in 2000 and covers an area of approximately 650 km2. The Park development is being coordinated by the MPRU with assistance from IUCN and GEF. The Ruvuma Delta and Quirimbas Islands are included in an Integrated Coastal Management initiative in Mozambique being developed by MICOA. The southern Quirimbas Islands and an area of sea, mangroves and terrestrial habitats were gazetted in June 2002 as a National Park, including around 1,500 km2 of marine and island
habitats. The park also includes a 6,000 km2 terrestrial part. Both parts are divided into different zones for use, from fish replenishment zones, to sustainable use zones for local communities to special use zones for tourism operation. The development and management of the new park is being supported by WWF. In the northern Quirimbas, a conservation programme involving local communities and tourism developers is being set up with the support of London 200.

Summary of threats and information needs

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