Mangrove forests, dugong, whales, turtles, corals...

The 8 sites of global importance were selected because of the following main features:

3. Lamu Archipelago

Extensive mangrove formations in delta, creeks and basins (345 km²) with 160 km² in pristine condition.
Breeding populations of Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and Green turtles and Dugong.
Most northerly coral reefs in the ecoregion.
Colony of 10,000 Roseate Terns and breeding site for Ospreys and Pelicans.

5. Mida Creek-Malindi

High coral diversity (>60 genera)
Important bird feeding area (including Flamingos).
Muddy high nutrient bay with sudden drop-off providing a nursery for sharks and globally important feeding area for sailfish, marlin and swordfish.

8. Rufiji-Mafia Complex (Rufiji River Delta, Mafia Island and Songo Songo Archipelago)

Extensive and varied coral reef habitats with high coral cover and diversity (>45 genera).
Rufiji River delta with extensive riverine and deltaic mangroves (53 km²).
Very important breeding area for shrimp and fish and nesting and feeding site for shorebirds.
Abundance of top predators including crocodiles.
Important feeding area for Dugong and turtles.
Resident populations of Hippopotamus.

12. Mtwara-Quirimbas Complex (Mnazi Bay, Ruvuma Delta and Quirimbas reefs to Pemba)

Located where the South Equatorial Current meets the African coast.
Extensive complex of reefs with high coral diversity (>48 genera).
Important turtle feeding and nursery site and feeding area for Crab Plovers and migratory birds.
Unique Ruvuma dunes system with likelihood of rare or endemic flora.
Important nursery area for Humpback whales.

15. Zambezi Delta system

Part of the largest mangrove complex in the western Indian Ocean (2,800 km²) with a large pristine proportion.
Terrestrial complex includes floodplains, grassland and palm savanna.
Important area for globally threatened wetland birds e.g. Wattled Cranes, Pelicans, African Skimmer.
Concentrations of Risso's Dolphin, Humpback Dolphins and whales including breeding Humpback Whales.

17. Bazaruto Archipelago

Complex of coral communities with 6 endemic gastropod mollusc species.
Parabolic sand dunes.
Populations of 6 bird species regularly exceeds 1% of the global population.
Largest Dugong population in the ecoregion, plus 5 dolphin, 3 whale, 4 turtle and 4 shark species.
Unique sand blown island (barrier to cyclones and barrier Lakes).

20. Maputo Bay-Machangulo Complex (including Inhaca Island)

Important feeding area for turtle, dugong and migratory birds e.g.Whimbrel and Flamingos.
Extensive marshes and flooded grasslands with endemic fish and plant species.
Important for Dugong, whales, white and whale sharks.
Turtles (Loggerhead and Leatherback) nesting area.
Northern limit of migration for Southern Right Whale.
Endemic fishes and unique tube-worm reefs.
Deep rocky formations dominated by gorgonians.

21. Greater St. Lucia Wetlands

Longest estuary in Africa.
Southernmost coral communities in the western Indian Ocean, extending for 80km.
Narrow coastal shelf with deep canyons, with a resident population of Coelacanth.
High endemism of soft corals.
Important for Dugong, seasonal aggregation of whale sharks and raggedtooth sharks.
Loggerhead and Leatherback turtle nesting area.
Nesting seabirds, including the White-backed Pelican and Caspian Tern.