GCRMN_COI_2017-Western Indian Ocean Reef Status

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Coral reef status report for the Western Indian Ocean (2017) Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network larval production, to the reefs of Vamizi and adjacent islands, so they benefit from this high annual reproductive input. This is thought to contribute to the high resilience of those reefs and is of major importance in the context of the future offshore mining for natural gas in the area. Synchronous spawning of corals has only been confirmed for Vamizi, but is likely to occur in other Islands of the northern Quirimbas Archipelagos, and as far north as the Songosongo Islands in Tanzania, where similar spawn-slicks have been observed from aerial flights at the same time as spawning occurs in Vamizi (D. Obura pers. comm.). From a management perspective, synchronous spawning presents both a hope for the future of these soon to be impacted coral reefs (high reproductive success and recruitment), but also a challenge, as care must be taken to avoid disrupting it, with potentially severe consequences on the reproductive success of corals. Figure 2.5.5. Closeup of Acropora sp. Branch during release of egg bundles during mass spawning, and slicks of egg and sperm on Vamizi island beach the morning after spawning. 2.5.6 Drivers and pressures NATIONAL CHAPTERS In the last two decades, damage from ENSO-induced bleaching events, and the recovery from this damage has varied widely between reef areas, with no clear relation to latitude. In addition, local drivers of coral reef decline exist, increasing the vulnerability of corals reefs in Mozambique. Historically, coastal development in Mozambique has been limited and did not pose direct pressure on coral reefs, as these were usually situated in more remote and under-populated areas. Destructive fishing methods also are not a main concern. Although damage from anchoring traditional fishing dhow can be noticed in heavily fished areas, such as Pemba or Palma (pers. obs.) Increasing population along the coastline, whether from influx of refugees from the civil war (1976-1994) or for economic opportunities in recent years, has led to increasing pressure on coastal resources. Along with the harvesting of food from the intertidal environment, artisanal coral reef fisheries are the first source of protein for coastal communities, so increasing demand also places added pressure on the coral ecosystems. As coastal populations keep growing, and in the absence of a strong legislative framework based on sound scientific information and enforcement capacity, the negative effects of uncontrolled fisheries on coral reefs are among the principal pressures to the reefs of Mozambique. 92
Coral reef status report for the Western Indian Ocean (2017) Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network The exploration of offshore natural gas in Inhambane Province (southern Mozambique) already places pressure on the reefs of that area, and future projects countrywide will increase this pressure both in the south and north. New projects include: the proposed construction of a deep water harbour at Ponta Techobanine (reef removal, dredging, increased ship-traffic, reduced water quality); the development of Nacala’s harbour for exporting coal extracted in Tête (increased ship-traffic, pollution from coal-dust, dredging); and offshore gas mining in the Quirimbas archipelago and in the Primeira e Segundas islands (drilling, shipping, construction of an underwater pipeline and Liquified Natural Gas plant). The 1999-2000 floods led to increased influx of freshwater and mud in the Xai-Xai lagoon and a large mortality of corals in 2000. With global climate changes, local climatic anomalies could also become stronger, more frequent and less predictable with possible implication for coral reefs as well. 2.5.7 Timeline 1976-1994 Civil War; migration to the coast leading to increased fishing pressure 1998 Global mass-bleaching event 2000 Heavy rain and floods impacting the Xai-xai lagoon 2000s Offshore Gas Mining in Inhambane Province. 2002 Bazaruto National Park gazetted, the first major coral reef national park in Mozambique. 2004 Global mass-bleaching event 2005 Quirimbas National Park gazetted, second government national park with marine focus 2012 Primeiras-Segundas National Park gazetted, the largest marine area under protection. 2012 Massive offshore natural gas fields in Palma district, within the Qurimbas Archipelagos (Mozambique Area 1 in the Rovuma Basin; 130 Tcf), transition from exploration to exploitation phases expected in 2022. 2016 Global mass-bleaching event 2.5.8 Responses Mozambique has gazetted several large marine protected areas focused around coral reefs, all in areas with high and growing pressure from surrounding fishing communities, and with high potential for nature-based tourism (see Timeline). In addition, the importance of fishing at both commercial and subsistence/artisanal levels has long been the focus of the National Fisheries Institute (IIP) and its National Institute for the Development of Small-Scale Fisheries (IPDDE). In parallel with other countries of the region, the government has promoted co-management with fishing communities, through community fishing councils (CCPs). These have rresponsibilities for management and monitoring of fisheries, and where supported by partners, some have designated reserves where fishing is restricted, such as at Vamizi Islands. Capacity building in marine and fishery sciences has been a focus at the national level, with establishment of higher education courses in marine biology, initially at the University of Edouardo Mondlane (UEM) in Maputo, and recently at, for example, UnilLurio, in Pemba. The marine station at Inhaca Island, in the Inhaca marine park (Africa’s first marine protected area) was a leading research and capacity building station when it was established, and is recently being revived with support from Sweden (Sida). NATIONAL CHAPTERS 93
Page 1 and 2:
Coral reef status report for the We
Page 3:
Page 7:
Page 10 and 11:
Page 12 and 13:
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19:
Page 22 and 23:
Page 24 and 25:
Page 26 and 27:
Page 28 and 29:
Page 30 and 31:
Page 32 and 33:
Page 34 and 35:
Page 36 and 37:
Page 38 and 39:
Page 40 and 41:
Page 42 and 43:
Page 44 and 45:
Page 46 and 47:
Page 48 and 49:
Page 50 and 51:
Page 52 and 53:
Page 54 and 55:
Page 56 and 57:
Page 58 and 59:
Page 60 and 61:
Page 62 and 63:
Page 64 and 65:
Page 66 and 67:
Page 68 and 69: Coral reef status report for the We
Page 168 and 169:
Page 170 and 171:
show all

GCRMN_COI_2017-Western Indian Ocean Reef Status

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?