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3.6.4 Natural impacts
There is no report that describes natural calamities. However, storms and strong waves are known to damage coral reefs and indirectly could affect fish populations. Other impacts could be caused by river runoffs, which could
create siltation effects especially around river mouths. A recent event, has been that of coral bleaching caused as a result of the increase in water temperatures in 1998 due to El Nino effect. This is believed to have caused an
impact on coral reefs in several parts of Tanzania and is hypothesised to have caused a change in fish species composition Muhando pers comm., 1999. In Some areas where bleaching has occurred, Marcus 1999 observed
a shift in species composition with herbivorous fish dominating these areas Ohman per comm, 1999. A study has now been initiated to look at the impact of bleaching and other factors affecting coral reefs on fisheries and
tourism in Tanzania and the whole region in general.
3.7 Scientific and management recommendations 3.7.1
Scientific recommendations
Several recommendations have been proposed in the different reports. Some of them are listed below
:
•
A comprehensive research programme on marine resources is required to determine the distribution, abundance, biology and value of the resources.
•
Stock assessments as well as surveys need to be conducted in the traditional fishing grounds.
•
Monitoring of the resources in order to obtain baseline information for comparison with future studies have been recommended as well as determining the extent and usage of destructive fishing gears.
•
Growth studies of fish through the use of length frequency information and through culturing in ponds have also been suggested.
•
The value of Underwater Visual Census surveys should be recognised especially for indicating effectiveness of fishing gears and revealing fishing effects on fishing community structure.
3.7.2 Control over the use of destructive fishing practices
•
Resource users need to be involved in making management plans because they have better knowledge of the resources.
•
The use of destructive gears such as beach seine and the use of poison should be banned in order to protect juvenile fish and other resources.
•
Small sized shells, gastropods need to be returned to where they were collected to enable them to grow
•
Existing laws on fishery need to be advertised to the general public.
•
Fisheries regulations need to be strengthened and enforcement should be improved by providing facilities such as patrol boats and armed officers in order to reduce illegal fishing practices.
•
There is a need to establish reserve areas that can serve as gene pools.
3.7.3 Conservationprotectionrestricted use
Management of the coastal and marine environment is essential and various management options have been suggested on how best to manage the environment from all these studies for example:
•
Involving the community in control and monitoring of their resources and establishment of marine reserves as a means of ensuring sustain ability of the resources.
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Establishing of marine and protected areas which could serve as a source of funds through tourism and as a source of awareness and the need for conservation among children
•
Traditional management to be encouraged such as the seasonal octopus closures in the Southern Unguja villages and restrictions of visiting fishermen in restricted areas
3.7.4 Local awarenessparticipationtraining
Conservation of the marine systems should be geared towards benefit to the community and they should be educated to appreciate the role of conservation. This should start at the lowest level, from school children by
including conservation studies in their curriculum Muhando and Jiddawi, 1995. The Institute of Marine sciences in collaboration with Memorial University of Newfoundland has produced several books and videos in an attempt
to assist in education and awareness Dickson and Ngoile, 1995. This process needs to be promoted further. Fishermen should form fishermen’s associations that can assist them in solving their problems. It has also been
proposed that there should be improved data collection systems, the current system seems to be inadequate and need to be improved. One suggestion is to inrtroduce a system of providing local fishermen with logbooks to
record daily catches. Fishermen and the general public need to be sensitised on the risks and consequences of mismanaging the fish resources and their habitats. Lastly, encourage alternative fishing practices and the use of
under-utilised resources such as deep-sea fishing and aquaculture.
3.8 Information gaps 3.8.1 Geographic coverage
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