Tanzania is planning to construct artificial coral reefs along the country’s Indian ocean shoreline in efforts to protect endangered marine species and restore the coastal ecosystem.
With support from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and involving local fishing communities striding the coastline in Tanga Region as well as Pemba Isles, Tanzania has also begun to replant sea grass on the shallow ocean base.
The restoration of marine vegetation also involves the sowing of Mangrove trees along the shoreline as well as initiating a program to protect coral reefs.
As coral reefs disappear, conservationists are planning to build artificial ones to temporarily protect marine species as the original reefs are left to rejuvenate.
Residents of Moa Village in Mkinga District of Tanga Region, are currently actively involved in the project involving the restoration of seagrass on the ocean bed.
The sea grass restoration project led by the University of Dar es Salaam and supported by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project will greatly improve marine vegetation, she said, stressing that when marine habitats are protected, fish populations increase and communities’ benefit with higher incomes.
After the seagrass planting the setting up of artificial coral reefs in the precinct will follow and this time all fishing activities will be suspended to allow time for restoration of the marine ecosystem.
The Mkinga District Fisheries officer, Ezra Katete revealed that their precinct on the mainland will be planning and restoring seagrass blanket on the ocean floor to cover a shoreline distance of 71 kilometers.
“The number of fish has been dwindling, first due to increasing human activities, but secondly because of climate change which brings about ocean acidification,” stated the Fisheries officer.
Katete explained that seagrass, seaweeds and mangrove that thrive on photosynthesis absorb carbon gases during the process and therefore help to refresh the sea waters.
On the other hand, at least 90.4 hectares of mangroves have been restored along the Indian Ocean Coastline striding Tanga on the Tanzanian mainland and Pemba in Zanzibar Isles.
That was previously stated during a special study on Blue Economy conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Tanga, involving writers and reporters, members of the Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET).
According to the IUCN Nature-based Solutions Officer, Suleiman Masoud Mohammed, before seagrass planting the Mangrove restoration projects had already been conducted in Mkoani and Micheweni Districts of Pemba, in the Isles, as well as Mkinga and Pangani Districts of Tanga on the mainland.
Mkinga District of Tanga features a 71-kilometre-long coastline, with fishing being the primary economic activity among its residents.
The 2018 fisheries census indicated that the district had 2,811 registered fishers, while in 2010 there were only five fishing boats, now grown to 58 including vessels from Dar es Salaam, he said.
Sara Mwaipasi, the Moa village executive officer, said that upwards of 90 percent of the 1,658 residents depend on fishing for their livelihoods, emphasizing the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.
Mohamed Ndaro, secretary of the Beach Management Unit (BMU) at Moa, highlighted the strong community involvement in marine conservation.
“Villagers actively participate in replanting sea grasses, mangroves and coral reefs, and they conduct regular patrols.
“We are grateful to partners like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); almost everyone in the village now understands the value of conserving marine ecosystems. They even take responsibility to care for the mangroves they have planted,” he stated.
Joseph Olilla, manager of the IUCN coastal and ocean resilience program, said that under the initiative also, more than 90 hectares of mangroves were restored in the Tanga and Pemba seascapes in the past three years.
“This success is part of a broader, community-driven conservation initiative that is already producing major ecological and economic benefits,” he said, affirming that local communities lead the restoration work because they know which areas are most degraded.
“They work hand in hand with government bodies such as the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) and local forest departments,” he stated.
IUCN is implementing these initiatives as part of the five years sea wealth project (2022-2025), with support from the Irish embassy, he added.