Page 8 - Tanzania Report

Indirectly the clearing of coastal forests poses a threat to the mangroves as the local communities shift
to these for fuelwood, timber and charcoal making (MRAG 2003).

Pollution

The main threats to mangrove systems are pollution which ultimately lead to alterations to hydrological
conditions. Threats including alterations for hydrological conditions (Semei 1998, Banyikwa 1986),
(Ochieng and Erftemeijer 2003).
Country Profile
The Constraints
Population growth
The Republic of Tanzania
However due to the increased population in coastal areas, the corals have been disturbed and
degraded by over exploitation of coastal species, coral mining, destructive methods of fishing
(dynamite fishing), coral bleaching, boat anchoring, shell collection, seine netting among others.
Unsustainable extraction of coastal resources to feed the rapid growing human population (Payet and
Obura 2004). Rapid coastal development. Clearing for tourism industry

Increased human activities which has led to increased turbidity hence cutting down on the sun/light
penetration in the waters. Furthermore, activities such as inshore prawn trawling and seine nets, have
destroyed seagrass beds.

Mining

Tanzania’s coastal zone has its focus on cement, lime and coral mining. The sector contributes
almost 4% to GDP, nearly makes 42.9% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs over 8000
people. Companies controlling operations along the coast such as the Tanga and Twiga projects have
produced over 200 billion Tz shs in tax revenue, which has been reinvested into coastal communities
to build schools, hospitals and housing. More so creation of employment and training for employees
along the coastal region. Tanzania is engaged in oil and gas exploration and extraction activities
which have intensified the degradation of the corals. However, the environmental issues surrounding
the mining sector on the coastal regions cannot just be ignored.

Exploitation of endangered species

The population of turtles such as the Dugongs, Loggerhead turtle, Green turtle, Hawksbill, Leatherhead,
Olive ridley turtle are considered endangered and have declined in the recent years (Frazier (1976)
and Thiagarajan (1991). Some example of nesting sites include beaches like Unguja Island, on
Mnemba Island, Mwanamwana north of Tumbatu Island, Mafia, Latham and Misali Islands. Other
sites are Kipumbwi, Kilwa Kisiwani and Pangani along the Tanzania mainland coast (Frazier 1976,
ZESS 1993a, b, Khatib 1998).

Turtles are illegally exploited for their meat and eggs and, in the case of the hawksbill, for the
carapace, which is used for ornamental purposes. New developments like hostels along the beaches
have caused total destruction of their breeding sites and cycle, the use of trawler vessels by the fisher
folk using gill nets that cause death and destruction.

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