Download TANGA MARINE RESERVES SYSTEM (TMRs) Tanga Marine

TANGA MARINE RESERVES SYSTEM (TMRs)
Tanga Marine Reserves System (TMRs) encompasses four island reserves of Kirui, Mwewe,
Kwale, and Ulenge which form a unique ecological system lying along and adjacent to a
coastline and surrounding waters that comprise of a diverse of coastal and marine habitats
ranging from luxuriant fringing corals, sea grass beds and an almost continuous strip of
mangrove stands.
Sea grass beds in sub tidal zone northeast of Kirui Island.
A sandy beach in East coast of Kirui Island.
Mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata) on Ulenge (south)
Some common invertebrates found in the TMRs include mangrove crabs, prawns, octopus,
lobsters, clams, sea cucumbers, and shelled molluscs. A small population of dugong is believed
to exist at Mbayae‐Kigomeni area, just east of Kirui Island and south of Kenya border, where it
was sighted in 1994 and 2004.
Dugong
Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) is found around Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park, which is less
than 10 km from Ulenge Island Marine Reserve (below picture). The shallow water area
extending from south Kenya coast including eastwards of Kirui Island and Moa Bay could be
considered as a special habitat. This zone has a complex combination of mangrove influences,
extensive seagrass beds and coral reefs, creating good conditions for fish productivity. Besides
being important fishing area for Kenya and Tanzania fishers, it is in this zone where dugongs are
believed to exist.
Coelacanth captured in the gill nets
All TMRs constitute important bird roosting sites. Nature trails and bird watching posts could be
created as tourist attractions.
As the islands were once inhabited, they have remained with cultural values linked to the
adjacent communities such as historical ruins, traditional and spiritual connections as ancestral
grave yards and sacred groves. These are potential amenities for community based ecotourism
and other recreational promotions.
Mangrove is the main feature in the intertidal zones of all TMRs. In Ulenge, mangrove covers an
area of 72.2 Hectares, about 64 % of the Island area. It covers an area of about 528.1 Ha, or
86.2 % of Kwale the
Island. Mwewe Island is also surrounded by mangroves, which covers an area of 14 Ha, which is
about 68 % of the Island. The total area covered by mangrove in Kirui is estimated to be 680 Ha;
the largest mangrove plot (557 Ha) is found on the north and west sides; Kigomeni mangrove
(60 Ha) is on the east coast and Kirui south mangrove (63 Ha) is on the south of the Island. All
the mangrove species found in Tanzania are found in the TMRs.
Rhizophora mucronata mangroves on Kirui west creek
All TMRs are associated with Bays: e.g., Tanga Bay and Kwale Bay for Ulenge MR; Kwale Bay and
Manza Bay for Kwale MR. Mwewe is located within Moa Bay. Kirui MR is just north of Moa Bay.
Sea grass beds are the main feature in the Bays and shallow waters adjacent to the TMRs.