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Abstract—Coral reef monitoring in Tanzania started in the early 1990s. The main
objective was to document reef status and in places assess the extent of damage caused
by the use of destructive resource harvesting practices, mainly fishing using dynamite
and dragged nets. The information obtained formed the basis for setting up of legislation
and control measures and for further monitoring of reef health. Two systems evolved:
low tech or simple (skin diving) community-based coral reef monitoring and high tech
involving the use of Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA). Coral
reef monitoring (CRM) has contributed substantial descriptive information and has
raised awareness to coastal communities and managers. Analysis of CRM data over the
years has provided information on the dynamics of reef health conditions, e.g. cover and
composition of reef benthos, fish and macro-invertebrates. Statistical Power Analysis tests,
both on spatial and temporal scales showed inadequate coral monitoring sampling effort,
mainly due to high variance of categories being measured. Furthermore, the ongoing
monitoring programs did not include environmental or economic indicator variables,
hence monitoring results were not linked or statistically analysed against possible
causative factors. Lack of information on biological connectivity and vital replenishment
factors, e.g., larval sources, dispersal mechanisms, growth, and survival also diluted the
interpretation of benthic community data, directly impacting on the strategic management
of reef fish and invertebrates. Similarly, the link between socio-economic attributes and
coral monitoring results has remained weak. This paper discusses critical issues in the
past coral reef monitoring programs and provides strategic recommendations for the next
phase of coral reef monitoring in Tanzania |
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