Posted on December, 12 2019

Speaking at the ceremony that was attended by various marine and fisheries stake holders the Deputy Minister thanked WWF for its long time outstanding conservation leadership and technical support they provide. He said this specific project has come at the right time as the sea scape needs a lot of attention and work to bring it to the status it requires and benefit the people around it and the Tanzania economy as well. He insisted on the need to raise awareness about the project to the local communities so they take part in its implementation. “Today we gather here to celebrate  the future of RUMAKI Seascape which will gain a regional and global recognition as the first marine Man and Biosphere Reserve in Eastern Africa.  As much as we need conservation work to succeed we must also explain the socioeconomic gains communities will achieve as this is usually missing in most of the projects which lead to the communities going against some of them. I wish to appeal to every Tanzanian and development partner to support the Government's efforts to preserve and conserve the marine ecosystem for man and nature. Looking forward, environmental stability and secured provision of ecological goods and services will remain essential to attain sustainable development in Tanzania. They are cross-cutting underlying requirements to achieve The Nation strategic vision of  2025."
 
Speaking at the project launch WWF Tanzania Conservation Manager Dr. Simon Lugandu  said: " The strategic importance of RUMAKI Seascape has important ecological features that  harbour natural habitats, ecosystems and plant and animal species of tremendous local, national and international importance. The challenge facing the country, and its partners, is to find ways to encourage and support the sustainable economic development of coastal communities in order to alleviate poverty and eradicate hunger, while at the same time conserving the unique biodiversity found in coastal areas.
Thus, improved management of this important seascape is key to sustain  the ecological, social and economic development for the present and future generation”.
 
 The project will ultimately facilitate the designation of the Seascape as a ‘Man and Biosphere Reserve’ by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO.  To this goal the project will strive for a  stronger and strategic partnerships as well as political goodwill.  WWF is looking forward to compliment the Government on this important marine global policy agenda and strategies through this project."
 
 
The RUMAKI Seascape is the most biologically productive and diverse marine area in Tanzania and East Africa. It includes 25% of Tanzanian mainland’s nearshore waters supporting substantial fisheries production; 26% of its coral reef habitat (625 km2); and over 50% of its mangrove forest (532 km2). Marine resources within the seascape support the food security and livelihoods of over 300,000 plus coastal residents. The area was designated a Ramsar site in October 2004 and by 2006 the government developed an action plan in order to improve the monitoring and management of the Ramsar Sites in the country. The measures include mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives.
 
Deterioration in the RUMAKI   ecosystem has impacted major natural assets and development investments around coastal waters of Tanzania. If unsustainable exploitation of this marine ecosystem continues, it will only be a matter of time before the entire ecosystem is irreversibly damaged with significant socio-economic consequences at national and regional reach.
 
While climate change may be a major contributor to the current crisis, the destruction of the seascape due to unsustainable fishing and mangrove harvesting practices among other things, has reduced the ability of marine  ecosystem to cater for life under water, absorb or reduce the impact of climate change and increasing the vulnerability of the people. Hence, the project to improve management effectiveness in the marine coastal areas is launched at a time when Tanzania works to maintain and improve its marine ecological value and livelihoods of the people.
 
 
 
About the Project
 
Main Objective
The project main goal is support long-term conservation of ecological integrity, resilience and biological productivity of the Rufiji/Kibiti-Mafia-Kilwa Seascape as an internationally important biodiversity hotspot supporting the livelihoods of natural resource-dependent communities.
Project Funded by: Blue Action Fund (Germany Government Agency)
Duration of the project: 01st August 2019 to 31st July, 2024
 
Key Project Partners at country level:
Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MLF) – Fisheries Division (FD) and Marine Park and Reserve Unit - MPRU, President Office –Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG) – District Authorities, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) -Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), Vice Presidents Office (VPO: Division of Environment and National Environmental Management Council - NEMC), as well as local and international Non-Governmental Organizations such as Sea sense and Marine Mega Fauna Foundation. User Groups and Community Based Natural Resource groups (CBNRM) involved are: Beach Management Units (BMUs), Village Liaison Committees (VLC), Village Natural Resources Committees (VNRC) and micro-enterprise groups such as Village Community Banks (VICOBA).
 
Project Components/Work packages:

• Support management effectiveness of Mafia Island Marine Park (MIMP)
• Strengthening Collaborative Fisheries Management Areas (CFMAs)
• Support management and restoration of Rufiji Delta Mangrove Forest Reserve
• Designation of Rufiji-Mafia-Kilwa Man & Biosphere (MAB) Reserve

 
Expected outcomes:

• Improved management effectiveness of Mafia Island Marine Park (MIMP)
• Improved management of Rufiji Delta mangrove forest reserve
• Target coastal communities in the coastal area have improved livelihoods and food security
• Designation of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization by UNESCO as Man and Biosphere Reserve for the seascape area by 2023