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Abstract—Surveys conducted in the 1980s and early 1990s indicated that coral reefs in Tanzania
were being degraded by overexploitation and destructive resource harvesting practices,
particularly dynamite fishing and the use of dragnets, with concomitant reduction in fish
abundance. Despite reduction in dynamite fishing on most parts of the Tanzania coast, recent
coral reef surveys (1999 and 2000) have indicated that live coral cover and the health of reef
corals were further degraded by the 1998 coral bleaching event. The extent of coral mortality
differed between areas and species. Although the relative contribution of some taxa such as
acroporids and pocilloporids decreased on most reefs surveyed, there was no evidence of species
extinction. Despite extensive coral mortality, there has been little evidence to suggest decline
of reef fish abundance of commercial and artisanal fish catches. In many areas the dead reef
structure has remained largely intact three years following the bleaching event. Coral recovery
through growth of the surviving colonies and new coral settlement has been observed in all
sites, but at different levels. The surviving Montipora, Echinopora and some Fungia were
recovering faster than others in some sites. Studies in Mafia, Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam and
Tanga showed that pocilloporids had the highest number of recruits. Faster recovery will,
however, depend on the level of natural and human disturbances in the near future. Appropriate
reef management strategies, such as enforcement of existing regulations and establishment of
more marine protected areas would help to prevent further coral reef degradation. Initiation of
coral reef restoration programmes may also enhance the recovery process. Capacity building
for coral monitoring/research and appropriate infrastructural support for coral reef ecosystem
conservation would also bring noticeable improvement |
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