How IUCN, Mkinga enhance marine conservation by artificial coral reefs

TANGA: MKINGA District of Tanga region is engaging in an activity to plant artificial coral reefs to provide critical shelter, food and breeding grounds for marine life.

As part of efforts to enhance marine conservation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Mkinga district authorities are adding artificial coral reefs that are principally underwater ecosystems built by colonies of tiny animals called coral polyps.

These polyps secrete a hard calcium carbonate skeleton, creating the foundation of the reef structure. Coral reefs are incredibly diverse, supporting a vast array of marine life and playing a crucial role in coastal protection.

According to Mr Ezra Katete, the District Fisheries Officer, said at a recent media engagement that coral reefs are vital spawning grounds for fish, remarking that during this period while the district waits for restored areas to fully recover, artificial reefs will help provide safe habitats for fish to breed.

The media engagement organised by the Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET) had journalists visit the said area to have the first-hand testimony on what is going on, being part of journalists’ learning tour following training on the blue economy organised IUCN.

Mr Katete said that the district is working closely with various organisations to preserve the marine ecosystem, where, in addition to IUCN, the Mwambao coastal community network is also involved.

As it stands the artificial coral reefs have been installed in two villages, as IUCN aids in the planting of natural coral reefs, he explained, noting that these efforts are meant to restore the seashore to near its natural state, creating a healthier environment for fish reproduction and other marine life.

The activity has taken place at Bomasubutuni and Moa villages, each activity covering an area of one acre, on account of the growing number of fishing vessels and increased human dependence on the sea, pushing the depletion of fish resources, the official explained.

Coral reef ecosystems are intricate and diverse collections of species that interact with each other and the physical environment. Coral is a class of colonial animal that is related to hydroids, jellyfish and sea anemones.

Stony corals, a type of coral characterised by their hard skeleton, are the bedrock of the reef. Stony coral colonies are composed of hundreds of thousands of individual living polyps.

Polyps are capable of drawing dissolved calcium from seawater and solidifying it into a hard mineral (calcium carbonate) structure that serves as their skeletal support. When you look at a coral colony, only the thin layer on its surface is live coral; the mass beneath is the calcium carbonate skeleton that may be decades old.

As for the artificial ones, before installation, teams engage with local communities to help identify areas where fish were once abundant but are now scarce, enabling them to select the most appropriate locations, he said, underlining that once installed, those areas are protected by suspending fishing activities to allow fish populations to recover.

Mkinga District has a 71-kilometre-long coastline, with fishing being the primary economic activity. The 2018 fisheries census indicated that the district had 2,811 registered fishers, while in 2010 there were only five fishing boats, now grown to 58 including vessels from Dar es Salaam, he said. The slow growth of polyps and expansion of the hard skeletal structures build up the permanent coral reef structure over time.

Ms Sara Mwaipasi, a Moa Village Executive Officer, noted that about 90 per cent or more of the 1,658 inhabitants depend on fishing for their livelihoods, accenting the importance of protecting marine ecosystems.

There is also sea grass restoration project under management of the University of Dar es Salaam and is reinforced by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project that will greatly improve marine vegetation. When marine habitats are protected, fish populations will undoubtedly increase and communities will get profit as they will get bigger incomes.

Corals can be found throughout the world’s oceans, in both shallow and deep water. However, the reef-building corals that rely on a symbiotic relationship with algae need shallow, clear water, allowing light penetration for photosynthesis. Stony corals also require tropical or sub-tropical temperatures, which exist in a band between 30 degrees north and south latitudes.

Secretary to the Beach Management Unit (BMU) at Moa, Mr Mohamed Ndaro, highlighted the strong community involvement in marine conservation.

“Villagers actively participate in replanting sea grasses, mangroves and coral reefs and they conduct regular patrols. We are grateful to partners like IUCN; almost everyone in the village now understands the value of conserving marine ecosystems. They even take responsibility to care for the mangroves they have planted,” he said.

In another development, the IUCN Coastal and Ocean Resilience Programme Manager, Mr Joseph Olilla had it that in the past three years, more than 90 hectares of mangroves were restored in the Tanga and Pemba seascapes.

“This success is part of a broader, community-driven conservation initiative that is already producing major ecological and economic benefits,” he said.

“They work hand in hand with government bodies such as the Tanzania Forest Services (TFS) and local forest departments.”

IUCN is implementing these initiatives as part of the five years sea wealth project (2022-2025), with support from the Irish embassy, he added.

The IUCN’s Coastal and Ocean Resilience Programme focuses on marine and coastal conservation and sustainable development in the Western Indian Ocean region. It aims to enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems and communities through various strategies, including biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management and climate change adaptation.

The programme is guided by IUCN’s Blue Resilience Framework, which emphasises securing natural capital, increasing conservation benefits and fostering partnerships according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

ALSO READ: Restoration of mangrove hectares along Tanga, Pemba seashore impressive

Coral reefs hold enormous ecological, economic and cultural value to hundreds of millions of people around the world, providing valuable ecosystem services, including nutrition, economic security and protection from natural disasters.

Coral reefs are among the most biologically diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. An estimated 25 per cent of all marine life, including over 4,000 species of fish, are dependent on coral reefs at some point in their life cycle.

JET is a Non-Government Organisation registered (NGO) by the Registrar of Societies CAP 54, Registration number SO 7266. Then after with the New NGO Act, 2002.

It is an organisation of professional communicators with members in all mainstream media houses. JET is an NGO working in the fields of environment and sustainable development.

The association was registered in February 1991 with the aim of raising public awareness on environmental conservation and related challenges through media including radio and television programmes, news and feature articles. The association promotes the goal of raising public awareness on environmental issues as a way to ensure environmental protection and conservation.