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4.8.2 Eliminating Destructive Fishing Methods and Overfishing
The problem of dynamite fishing should be given highest priority by government, law enforcers and management programmes. Otherwise, all types of restoration work will be useless. It is imperative that strong action be taken
immediately to eliminate dynamite fishing as well as other destructive fishing practices. This needs the efforts and cooperation of policy makers, appropriate government departments, marine police, construction companies and
industries that make use of dynamite and, most of all, the villagers themselves. Guard and Masaiganah 1997 recommended that an effective strategy be developed to confront the problem of dynamite fishing which should
encompass a wide range of actions, such as continuous patrolling, police enforcement, improved legislation, increased fines, confiscation of vessels and jail sentences. In the long term, the local communities themselves
must be educated and empowered to combat and stop dynamite fishing.
In addition, in order for fishermen to survive in the wake of eliminating destructive fishing practices, either they need to be empowered to engage in appropriate fishing techniques or they and their families must be directed
towards alternative or supplementary income-generating activities.
Kalombo and Horrill 1998 reported recommendations, that actually came from the local fishing communities in Tanga, as follows: restrict illegal fishing techniques, close selected areas to fishing, provide appropriate gear to
fishermen, and develop alternative sources of income.
McClanahan 1998 recommended the protection of important keystone species such as the red-lined triggerfish which controls sea urchin populations.
4.8.3 Managing TourismEcotourism
As a priority, it can be recommended that there be a conscious and deliberate shift from the mainstream, mass tourism towards ecotourism, where there is balance and mutual benefit amongst three components: ecosystems,
tourists, and the local communities.
Andersson 1998 predicted that the number of tourists visiting the country particularly Zanzibar is likely to increase tremendously. While this could be economically good for the country, care must be taken that this does
not cause environmental degradation as has been the case in other countries such as the Maldives.
Muruke et al. 1999 recommended that the government should educate hotel developers on the importance of developing ecotourism so that they realise the importance of conserving ecosystems as tourist attractions.
Moreover, they specifically suggested for Bagamoyo that the district government establish a special department for tourism which would assist in the formulation of partnerships between tourism developers and local
communities.
Wagner et al. 2000a, b recommended that restoration work should be combined with ecotourism, whereby members of the communities receive payment from tourists for guided tours to coral reef and mangrove
ecosystems where, besides viewing the ecosystem, they would also watch villagers carry out restoration activities and even assist them, if they wish. The benefits of this type of ecotourism are Wagner et al., 2000b that it
provides the villagers with a source of income, thus alleviating poverty; it gives the community an alternative income-generating activity so that they do not have to engage in activities which degrade the environment and
deplete resources; it motivates the villagers to restore the ecosystems in their area; and it motivates the villagers to take the responsibility of protecting the habitats in their area from the destructive activities of other people.
4.8.4 Mitigating the Effects of Boat Movement, Anchoring and Grounding
The construction of mooring buoys, in strategic positions near coral reefs and islands, which could be used by tourist and fishing boats, could be an effective way of reducing impacts of boat grounding and anchoring on reefs.
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However, the target groups would have to be educated on the importance of consistently using these mooring buoys.
The movements of speedboats, both large and small, should be regulated with respect to speed as well as direction and distance from coral reefs. Though this requires further research Section 8.4, it would seem advisable for the
large speed boats that operate between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam to pass on the outside of the reefs. If weather conditions force them to pass between the reefs and the land, they should reduce their speed and keep a good
distance from the reefs. After appropriate research is done, regulations should be made and enforced regarding appropriate speeds and distances from reefs.
4.8.5 Control of Pollution
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