East Africa: Coral reef programs of eastern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean

Abstract

This report gives an updated description of the coral reef and associated ecosystem programs of the Eastern African mainland states, which include the nations of Somalia, Kenya, mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar and Mozambique as well as the Western Indian Ocean island states of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles. The Eastern African mainland countries have similar histories and ecological profiles including the following. ■ All the nations of this region are classified as developing countries. ■ All have rapidly growing coastal populations. It is estimated for example that 75% of Mozambique’s population lives within 40 km of the coast. ■ The countries have diverse political histories: 1) Somalia is still at war; 2) Kenya recently held its first multiparty elections; 3) Tanzania just emerged from a socialist system into a market economy; and 4) Mozambique is recovering from a long civil war (1976-1992). Often the political system is key to the distribution and utilisation of natural resources in these countries. ■ The countries all have similar marine ecosystems including coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, where mainly subsistence level utilisation occurs.All countries of the region cover a wide range of political and economic development. All states are heavily dependent on their coastal environments as sources of food, income and employment. Rapidly expanding coastal populations, as well as increasing industrial and agricultural activities, are potential sources of pollution that threaten the sustainability of coastal and marine ecosystems and their associated resources (UNEP/IMS/FAO/Sida 1998). The coastline of the Eastern African and Western Indian Ocean islands region is an area rich in natural marine resources and of breathtaking scenic beauty, with pristine beaches of coral, estuaries, mangroves, lagoons and several beautiful islands rich in biodiversity. The coastal environment is being threatened by pollution, habitat destruction and the pressure from growing coastal populations, tourism and urbanisation. The climate is generally tropical to sub-humid. The two monsoon seasons have a major influence on wind direction and strength, air temperature and rainfall. They also influence the coastal currents. The coastal ecosystems of the region are generally rich in natural resources and highly productive. Important habitats include mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass beds, which sustain a great diversity of marine life and are important food sources for most coastal communities. The ecosystems are greatly interdependent, and the integrity of each ecosystem is dependent on the health and influence of adjacent ecosystems. For example, nutrients, sediment and organic matter are interchanged between coral reef and mangrove ecosystems. Mangroves are also nursery grounds for a variety of fish, some of which mature in coral reefs and seagrass meadows.The economies of all countries in the region benefit from reef fisheries as well as reef related tourism. Artisanal fisheries, mostly in reefs, seagrass and associated platform environments, represent more than 95% of the total marine fish catch, (UNEP/IMS/FAO/Sida 1998). For example, more than 60% of the fish species caught in Tanzania are caught in or around coral reefs (Francis and Muhando 1996). For many coastal communities, mangroves are the primary source of timber, firewood, charcoal and a variety of other forest products. Consequently, mangroves as well as coral reefs are under increasing pressure from expanding coastal populations. The destruction of coastal habitats by the expanding coastal populations has lead to the degradation of interdependent coastal ecosystems and reduced productivity. For example, reductions in mangrove cover has reduced fish spawning, leading to reduced catches with both social and economic implications, especially for artisanal fishers (FAO/IMS/Sida 1999). Both coral reefs and mangroves are among the most biologically diverse ecosystems and greatly at risk. The rapid expansion of coastal populations and consequentially increased loads of domestic sewage, agricultural run-off and industrial effluents to the marine environment represents a significant threat to the coral reefs of the Region. In general, the mechanisms to manage coastal resources are poor and management programs are often sectoral and implemented within weak institutional frameworks with poor coordination between different sectors (FAO/IMS/Sida 1999).