Development of a marine protected area: Mafia Island, Tanzania

Coastal-zone management in Tanzania has seen little success to date with habitat loss and degradation continuing unchecked. The problems with past management strategies are addressed and a new management strategy is developed for the protection of the southern region of Mafia Island. The strategy chosen is designed specifically to account for past management failings and is based upon the multi-user concept. Three years of research work have been conducted towards the subsequent development of a management plan. The design of the research program, the resultant survey results, and their application towards the formulation of this management plan are described and discussed. Finally, future plans for research and monitoring within the proposed area are presented.