Biophysical Survey of Mafia Island Marine Reserves

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I. INTRODUCTION Project Aim To conduct biophysical surveys of three Mafia Island Marine Reserves (MIMRs) that will provide the basis on which management objectives can be formulated. Objectives • Describe the structure of the reefs, benthic cover, seagrass beds, marine fauna and flora • Identify sites of high biodiversity and/or those under threat • Detail the current type and level of use of the reefs and associated habitats within the MIMRs and buffer zones • Identify any potential use conflicts and potentially under-utilised resources • Give a general biophysical description of the MIMRs that includes the coastline characteristics, beach, and depth profiles • Provide maps that show depth profiles, major biophysical features, and core zones for each reserve area • Provide data and advice to the Marine Parks and Reserves Unit which is contributory to the production of a GIS database and maps. • Identify and conduct a preliminary analysis of major stakeholder groups of the Outcomes MIMRs, including assessments of any fish catch data that is made available by the Mafia Fisheries Office. • A report detailing biological and ecological analysis of the resources within the MIMRs and the profiles of all three areas within the MIMRs • Recommendations for management interventions that will contribute to effective management of the MIMRs • Establishment of permanent monitoring sites and development of indicators that will enable ongoing biological and ecological monitoring of the MIMRs • Production of maps showing resources bases within the MIMRs.
II. STUDY SITES The Mafia Island Marine Reserves are located in Mafia District, Tanzania, to the North- west of Mafia Island. They are situated in the Western Indian Ocean in the shallow stretch of water that separates Mafia Island from the mainland of Tanzania, approximately 35km off the Tanzanian coast. This area is located in the mouth of the Rufiji delta, and is therefore heavily influenced by the outflow from this major river system. It is also affected by the East African Current and both the north-eastern and south-western monsoons. The NE monsoon (Kaskazi) runs from November to March and brings strong northerly winds, which is followed later in the year by a period of heavy rains which run until May. The wind direction is then reversed with the coming of the SE monsoon (Kusi) which blows from June to October and brings steady winds and good weather. Another period of shorter rains also follows this monsoon. The East Africa current is a major influencing factor on the area, and runs approximately south to north. The current can flow at between 1 and 4 knots, depending on physical conditions, water depth and season. Tides are another important factor in the physical makeup of the reserves. Tides in this region are mixed semi-diurnal, and average spring tidal range is approximately 3-4m, varying throughout the year. Currents are heavily influenced around the reserves by tidal state, with slack water negating currents to a negligible amount, and other states magnifying them to a maximum of 2-3kts in some cases. There is some evidence to suggest that tides were exceptionally high throughout January and February 2009, to the extent that the islands were washed over in parts. These high tides are almost certainly responsible for the morphology of the steep beaches that characterise the two smallest islands. Low tides expose shallow reef flat and sea grass areas to view around both Shungimbili and Mbarakuni Islands.
Page 1: Frontier Tanzania Environmental Res
Page 4 and 5: Suggested Technical Report citation
Page 6 and 7: Executive Summary Major Findings
Page 8 and 9: price it fetches may be contributin
Page 10 and 11: IV. RESULTS A. Nyororo Island Marin
Page 14 and 15: The reserves were established under
Page 16 and 17: III. METHODS A. Field Methods 1. Re
Page 18 and 19: Ground Proofing Methodology (Low Re
Page 20 and 21: Invertebrate Abundance Invertebrate
Page 22 and 23: Commercially Targeted Fish The meth
Page 24 and 25: Indian Ocean Bird wrasse Gomphosus
Page 26 and 27: Several areas of coral reef habitat
Page 28 and 29: area, the most extensive continuous
Page 30 and 31: Average abundance (+/- SE) 30 25 20
Page 32 and 33: Average abundance (+/- SE) 3 2.5 2
Page 34 and 35: stop off or shelter. Boats from the
Page 36 and 37: 2. Coral Reef Habitat a) Benthic Co
Page 42 and 43: 68% 5% 18% 2% 0% 1% 0% 6% 0% 0% Tha
Page 44 and 45: on Mbarakuni. At times of good weat
Page 46 and 47: edge is visible at around 10m deep.
Page 50 and 51: 97% 0% Figure 28. Average percentag
Page 52 and 53: c) Invertebrate abundance Invertebr
Page 54 and 55: lobster fishing. A foreign financed
Page 56 and 57: (Chaetodon trifascialus) are closel
Page 58 and 59: transects. Commercial fish species
Page 60 and 61: damage at present, but if further u
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VI. Appendices Appendix 1. Fish spe
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Whitespotted Epinephelus Grouper ca
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