Page 8 - Mozambique Report

nursery grounds and shelter for juvenile fish, as
well as refuges from predation for numerous
fishes, invertebrates and other animals (Gell
& Whittington 2002; Gullstr?m et al., 2002;
Orth et al., 1984;) They provide economic
goods such as an extensive number of fish and
invertebrates harvested by many of coastal
Country Profile
communities (Gullstr?om & Dahlberg, 2004).
They also harbour nitrogen-fixing bacteria and
facilitate mineral circulation between the water
and the sediments (Oliveira et al., 2005). They
The Republic of Mozambique
help in carbonation in sand production.

The constraints
High population density

The coastal areas are characterized by extremely high population densities – over two-thirds of the
country’s population reside within the coastal region (ASCLME, 2012; Barnes et al., 1998; Ruby et
al., 2008). The population densities of Maputo, Beira, Nacala and Mozambique island are 1,525
persons/km , 625 persons/km , 409 Persons/km and 13,000 persons/km respectively.
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Mangrove, seagrass and coral degradation
Mangroves are being depleted at a rate ranging from 15.2 per cent in Maputo province, to 4.9
per cent in Sofala. The major drivers of mangrove depletion are anthropogenic activities such as
uncontrolled exploitation for firewood, charcoal, fencing, medicinal uses, fish trapping and pole
production. Clearance for agriculture (mainly to pave way for rice fields) and salt production. Increased
coastal pollution from discharge of sewage and industrial effluents. Reduction of freshwater flow due
to industrial and dam construction and abstraction. Uncontrolled influx of people from mainland to
the coast leading to increased overexploitation of mangroves (Barbosa et al. 2001). The growth and
productivity of mangroves is affected by deforestation mainly in areas such as Maputo and Beira.

The main threats to seagrasses are beach seining, trampling and sedimentation. The trampling occurs
during the collection of invertebrates and the sedimentation is associated with river discharges.

Habitat degradation
However studies have shown that increased population in and around rivers such as the Sofala
Bank (Lutjeharms 2006, Barlow 2007, 2008), the discharges from Zambezi, Pungué, Buz? and Save
rivers, the most productive shelf of the channel and in the southern provinces have led to enormous
and devastating outcomes. Effects such as coastal erosion, sedimentation, water pollution, over-
exploitation of resources, deforestation, and reduction and modification of biological diversity (Sete
et al., 2002).

Migration of fishermen from different coastal communities due to fluctuation in fish resources (Lopes et
al., 1997) have creates adverse social consequences for example spread of HIV/AIDS and communal
conflicts (Ministerio das Pescas, 2007)

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