Advertise Here



The Environment and its Issues

Below you will find information about the Mozambican natural environment, as well as tips on how to reduce environmental and social impacts, making your stay as friendly as possible
We have given you some information on a variety of marine life that you can find in the Mozambican Channel, which are spotted close to the shoreline at certain times of the year. There is also reports on the plight they are all under, some are close to extinction and if nothing is done by you and me, then they will be lost for ever
The piece finishes with a list on the National Parks and Reserves including information about the wildlife situation in Mozambique with links for more comprehensive information
We realise the issues we deal with here are open to much debate, but there is one underlying argument that cannot be ignored: Life cannot be sustained under the wanton destruction that is occurring along this precious coastline and around the world in general

The Mozambican shoreline is generally sandy and bordered by lagoons and sand dunes to the south, with shoals and strings of coastal islets in the north. Mangroves populate large areas of this coastline. The country is divided by at least 25 main rivers, all of which flow to the Indian Ocean. The Zambezi River is the largest and most significant of these whose 820km Mozambican section is navigable for 460km. Flowing from eastern Angola, the Zambezi provides access to the interior of Africa from the eastern coast

Tourism Impact on the Environment

 

Of the hundreds of operations we visited along the whole coast only a few have some environmental and social concerns. Minimum effort is done to preserve the biodiversity that is so needed to sustain the development of the tourism industry in this country. What we saw was lack of long term planning, poor site management, poor waste and water management and little appliance of reusable energy sources. We must all be aware that just by presenting an, "eco", look does not mean environmental action is a concern of an establishment. By only employing a few local people, a company does not necessarily help sustain, train or empower the local community

Off-Road Driving

 

Quad bike enthusiasts tend to cause a lot of destruction by creating tracks away from existing ones. This promotes destruction of vegetation, natural habitats and can cause land errosion the result of which, is a very ugly pile of mud! The enjoyment of your quad bike, should not be to the detriment of others and the land. Please keep to the established tracks

Once away from the main road, Mozambique has some beautiful off-road options that can take you to remote and outstanding; beaches, light houses, lake systems, bays, mangroves and through National Parks. However, a lot of care must be taken to respect the local inhabitants and their crops as well as natural vegetation. Keeping vehicles to existing tracks prevents further destruction of the vegetation and reduces the risk of errosion

Beach Driving

 

It is illegal to drive on the beaches of Mozambique and it is extremely important to apply to that law. Not because you are liable to be fined but for the damage it causes to these wonderful beaches and the life it supports. There are designated areas for boat launches

We have witnessed that this is a law not always applied, due to the great extent of the Mozambican coastline, enforcement is not easy. We must remember that the beach is not a dead desert; by driving on those sands a lot of the marine life is killed and their habitat is destroyed including the nests of marine turtles and crabs

Legal and Illegal Fishing

 

This is a serious issue along the whole east coast of Africa. Illegal trawlers are trying hard to wipe out the marine life in the Indian Ocean. For the health of the oceans, the local fisherman, the deep-sea sport fisherman and all of us who enjoy this fascinating realm; this is a disaster!
We suggest you find out where your fish is coming from before ordering in a restaurant. The best option is to purchase from a local fisherman or get your own. Don't purchase canned fish products

There were many reports of illegal ships operating along the Mozambican coast they were said to be mainly of Chinese, Korean, or Taiwanese origin, and are using long-lines to catch sharks - possibly for the lucrative shark fin market in East Asia

Foreign, illegal, trawlers are often sighted along the Mozambican coast. These vessels must be reported to: + 258 (0) 82 353287 -

 

Other Contacts:

The Marine Life

 

Coral Reefs and Mangroves

The Eastern African region is fringed with coral reefs and mangroves. The Indian Ocean hosts an abundant amount of fish with at least 3,000 varieties of reef fish

The mangrove swamps provide Oysters, Crabs and Mullet for the commercial market. However recent studies undertaken by UNEP in 1981 found that damage to coral reefs was widespread. The region is a major oil tanker route and suffers from oil pollution throughout the coastal zone. In addition land-based sources of pollution from fertilizers, industry, untreated sewage, litter and deforestation are also commonly resulting in problems such as eutrophication (see www.umanitoba.ca for more information) and excessive sedimentation

Despite efforts to prohibit their commercialisation; hard corals, shells, turtle shells and ornamental fish are found for sale in most tourist areas. They are sold because uninformed visitors still buy them. Please do not buy these objects, as you promote the destruction of the local reef by doing so. The argument of, 'well, they're already dead', does not take into account that more will be taken to sell. We have to act now. If all of us take responsibility we can help preserve the fragile marine life. Don't destroy our oceans. Save Our Seas!

Corals for Sell Corals for Sell Corals in a Warehouse

Is this really what you want on your mantelpiece or in your bathroom? Isn't it far better to be able to visit a world like no other, that lives in pefect harmony, playing a major role in keeping the oceans healthy?

Healthy Coral Healthy CoralHealthy Coral

Whale Sharks

Whale Shark

Contact: South Africa Whale Shark Research Group: + 27 (0) 31 7640349

Other Research Groups Strategic Research Fund for the Marine Environment. Website: www.srfme.org.au
Shark Research Intstitute. Website: www.sharks.org

Whale Sharks are the largest fish on earth, measuring up to 15 metres and weighing up to 34 tons. They are filter feeders digesting plankton and small fish. The reproductive rate of a Whale Shark is slow; they achieve maturity at the age of 20 to 25 years old
Taiwanese fisheries are known to kill about 250 Whale Sharks each year
When swimming with Whale Sharks it is recommended:

  • Not to touch. Your hand contains acids that damage the sharks skin. Do not use gloves as this stresses the shark and can cause harm to both the animal and person. Gloves also seem to give the user free licence to touch and grab as much marine life as possible. This causes a lot of destruction. Gloves are just an excuse for bad diving practices

  • Not to jump, swim or maneouver a boat in front of the shark. This will cause them stress and usually they dive to great depths and won't be spotted again for many hours

  • Stay about 4 metres away. This reduces their stress and the chances of them diving

  • Do not use a camera with a powerful flash or direct any flash at their eyes

    • According to the Whale Shark Project organisation, www.whalesharkproject.org, Whale Shark fisheries have expanded significantly within the past decade, mainly due to a booming meat and shark fin market, in Taiwan. This demand resulted in an increased fishing effort and falling catches in the Philippines fisheries, culminating in the 1998 fishery ban, although some poaching and illegal export reportedly continues on a small scale. This has promoted the mass exodus of fishing trawlers to the Eastern Coast of Africa. This is one of only a handful of amazing places left on earth that supports such a vibrant and diverse range of life and we are allowing it to go for export to another continent where it will end up on a plate. All of this lost to support a few unneceasry tastes!?

    Humpback Whales

    Humpback Whales are marine mammals that can grow up to 18 metres in length and are found close to the Mozambican shore between August and November. In the north where the continental shelf runs very cose to the mainland the Whales can be eaily seen from the shore. Otherwise a short boat trip will allow you to view them. The best way is by sailing vessel, for the engines of the boats cause them to dive, probably because they associate this with being hunted, which is still being practised by a small number of locals and fisheries from the east, in Mozambique. They travel great distances to take advantage of the best breeding grounds and feeding spots. With possibly only 20,000 Humpback Whales left in the world, their survival status is vulnerable

    Manta Rays

    These magnificent creatures can be found in abundance along the Mozambican coastline. There are some famous dive sites where the guarantee of seeing them is very high; such as Manta Reef and Giants Castle. Dive Operators from Guinjata Bay, Jangamo Beach, Tofo Beach and the Barra Peninsula regularly visit both dive sites, when the weather and sea condition are favourable. Manta Rays are very inquisitive animals and will come close to divers, if you let them. The best way to interact; is to stop swimming and allow them to approach at their own will. Divers must refrain from touching them, as we can damage their skin, and although they are harmless and curious they are wild animals and can be spooked easily should you get to close or try chasing one (a futile exercise). This will only scare them away and spoil it for everyone

    Dolphins

    Dolphins occurring in the region include the very acrobatic Spinner Dolphin, the Spotted Dolphin, the Common Dolphin (that often school in mixed groups with the Spinner Dolphin), the large and curious Bottlenose Dolphin, and the shy Humpback Dolphin. During the famine and civil war periods, Dolphins were seen as food by the local fishermen; in addition they were and still are victims of foreign trawlers illegally fishing in Mozambican waters. Although these mammals are now protected they are shy and need to regain the trust in humans. We found one operator in the Mozambican coast that has created a responsible educational program, where participants learn about Dolphin behaviour and also about how to swim and interact with the animals with respect and care. See Dolphin Ecountours in Ponta d'Ouro

    Turtles

    There are five species of Sea Turtles found in Mozambique: Loggerhead, Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill and Olive Ridley. Uncontrolled and irresponsible coastal tourism development, beach driving, poaching and net trawlers have been putting these animals under serious danger along the Mozambican coast and in the world. However, Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) are now compulsory in trawl nets in Mozambique, TEDs have to be implemented in all trawl nets on boats with engines, as of January 2005. But we don't have to wait for future studies to tell us if it worked or not, you can act now by following some basic principles:
    1/ Don't drive on the beaches, unless it is in designated boat launching areas, to launch a boat
    2/ Don't stay with/ use an operator who does not follow a good code of conduct
    3/ Don't buy any Shells (including Turtle) or Corals of any kind and don't remove them from the reef
    4/ Do not buy any foods (fish canned goods are the biggest culprit here) that are in anyway connected to these fishing practices
    5/ Reduce your meat intake and stop eating fast foods. Fast foods have no nutritional value and the practices employed to produce a burger, are killing our natural environment. See these websites: www.newstarget.com or www.sustainabletable.org

    N.B. If you want to be more profound and try to help your planet, sustain you, stop eating meat! The pollution from meat farming is destroying our oceans, our rivers, our lakes, our land and our forests, due to land run off from deforestation to allow for pastures to raise cattle. On top of that the top soil is loaded with hormones, used on the cattle to speed growth rates, meat is not only polluting our oceans, but also us!

    We must all - governments, developers, tourists, local communities and commercial fisheries - take responsibility

    Dugongs

    Dugongs are herbivorous marine mammals, that are very shy and slow moving, but when disturbed can swim up to speeds of 12 knots. They have no dorsal fin and no hind limbs. On one breath it is possible for them to stay submersed for up to 10 minutes. You can spot them in groups or alone. Dugongs have a very low reproductive rate, at 10 years of age they reach puberty and have long periods between pregnancies, with an average of 12 calves during a life time. Their life span can be upto 70 years. These mammals were also eaten by the local population during war and famine periods and their population is extremely small, fragile and under threat. Dugongs are now protected in Mozambique and the largest population (around 60) is found in the Bazaruto Archipelago. Unfortunately the hunting of these mammals has not stopped as we discovered on our visit to the Bazaruto Islands. It is not enough to say they are protected, it must also be policed

    For more information contact:

    Nature Reserves, National Parks and the Wild Life

     

    Nature Reserves and National Parks must have the purpose of not only preserving the local biodiversity, but also to sustain and to protect the local population and the natural resources they depend on. Parks and Reserves must also develop environmentally responsible, nature based tourism as a source of revenue and employment for the local communities

    National Parks

    Banhine National Park Parque Nacional de Banhine - Gaza (7,000 km²)
    Bazaruto National Park Parque Nacional do Bazaruto - Inhambane (1,600 km²)
    Gorongosa National Park Parque Nacional da Gorongosa - Sofala (5,370 km²)
    Limpopo National Park Parque Nacional do Limpopo - Gaza (35,000 km²)
    Quirimbas National Park Parque Nacional das Quirimbas - Cabo Delgado (7,500 km²)
    Zinave National Park Parque Nacional do Zinave - Inhambane (6,000 km²)

    Nature Reserves

    Gilé Reserve (Reserva de Gilé) - Zambézia (2,100 km²)
    Maputo Special Reserve (Reserva Especial de Maputo) - Maputo (700 km²)
    Marromeu Reserve (Reserva de Marromeu) - Sofala (1,500 km²)
    Niassa Reserve (Reserva de Niassa) - Niassa (42,200 km²)
    Pomene Reserve (Reserva de Pomene) - Inhambane (200 km²)

    The Elephant Reserve - Maputo Province

    Contact: or go to the website: www.tembe.co.za or www.africaelephants.com/ecology

    Tembe Elephant National Park is situated in the southern part of the Mozambique coastal plain of Northern KwaZulu Natal, its northern limit is the international boundary between South Africa and Mozambique. Recently an area of 230,000ha was granted for an eco tourism development concession in Southern Mozambique, and a "Peace Park", a trans-border conservation park initiative between Northern Kwazulu Natal and Southern Mozambique

    The Limpopo Transfrontier Park - Gaza Province

    The Limpopo Transfrontier Park covers a huge area of 35,000 km² (roughly the size of Belgium), this is the largest Multi-National Park, and the most ambitious effort in Africa to combine conservation, environmental protection, tourism and economic development. It incorporates three existing parks: South Africa's Kruger National Park, Mozambique's Limpopo Park, and Zimbabwe's Gonarezhou National Park. A broader transfrontier conservation area surrounds the core area.
    The presidents of the three countries signed the treaty formally establishing this new super park in December 2002 and several kilometres of fencing between the Mozambican and South African side have been symbolically cut down. But the park itself will probably not expand to its full boundaries for at least five years. Nonetheless, the new park is already being offered as a model for future development projects in Africa

    Gorongoza National Park - Sofala Province

    Gorongosa Mountain and National Park is situated North-West of Beira near the Zimbabwean border. It comprises of an area 5,370 km² of open plain, bush, swamp and waterways, spread between the Pungwe and Urema rivers.
    During the 1960's this was one of the finest game reserves in Southern Africa and attracted more than 12,000 visitors a year having more game than the Kruger National Park!
    Open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Visits to the park can be booked through the LAM office in Maputo www.lam.co.mz. Guides and cars are available inside of the park

    Morromeu National Park - Sofala Province

    The Marromeu Complex consists of 1,500km². The area is open grass land with many rivers and streams and is part of the Zambezi Delta. The Marromeu National Park is located at the mouth of the Zambezi River and is currently trying to replace the 30,000 buffalo that once lived there. Although a large variety of wildlife can be seen here, the main attraction is the huge Cape Buffalo which has historically been the largest population in Africa and that is why the park is also known as Morromeu Buffalo Reserve. There is a hunting concession within this reserve

    Bazaruto Archipelago National Park - Inhambane Province

    Contact:

      The National Directorate for Conservation Areas - Ministry of Tourism:
      + 258 (0) 1 303650

    The Bazaruto Archipelago is formed by five Indian Ocean islands - Bazaruto, Santa Carolina, Benguera, Magarruque and Bangue. It has a combined land area of 1,600 km². Located between the towns of Vilanculos and Inhasorro in the Province of Inhambane. The islands are oriented approximately North to South between 30-35 km offshore from the Mozambican coastline, and are probably sections of a former sandy peninsula connected to the mainland. Here is where the most important concentration of Dugongs are found along the East Coast of Africa

    Quirimbas National Park - Cabo Delgado Province

    More information can be found at www.wwf.org.mz. The Quirimbas Archipelago consists of 32 coral islands stretching from Pemba (the capital of Cabo Delgado Province) to the Rovuma River, which forms the natural frontier between Tanzania and Mozambique; it occupies a total combined area of 7,500 km². The southernmost 11 of these islands and a vast expanse of mainland forest are included in the Quirimbas National Park. In 29th June 2004 the Director of the French Development Agency, Ms. Françoise Desmazieres, and the Mozambican Minister of Tourism, Mr. Fernando Sumbana, signed an agreement for the funding of the Quirimbas National Park. WWF will be the Projects implementing agency, and will also co-fund it. The agreement consists of a 5-year project in the Quirimbas National Park. The project covers the establishment of infra-structures within the Park; purchase of equipment, training of rangers, biodiversity protection and conservation, and lastly the funding of community projects directed at improving the livelihoods of nearly 55,000 inhabitants within the Park

    Gilé Reserve - Zambezia Province

    Gilé Reserve is located, in the Zambezia Province near Pebane and Southwest of Nampula. It comprises an area of 2,100 km² and includes a hunting reservation area. Gile Reserve is known for its hot springs and vast variety of birds. Camping facilities are available in the reserve

    Niassa Reserve - Niassa Province

    Contact:

      The National Directorate for Conservation Areas - Ministry of Tourism:
      + 258 (0) 1 303650
      or see the website: www.niassa.com

    For information on where to stay:

    Located in Northern Mozambique covering parts of Cabo Delgado Province and nearly one third of Niassa Province, the Niassa Reserve has a core area of 22,000km² and is bordered by Rovuma River in the North (Tanzania border), Lugenda river in Southeast, Luatize River, Southwest and Lussanhando River in the West. A buffer area of 20,000km², which was divided into six management concessions, is also part of the Niassa Reserve. The total area is twice the size of Kruger National Park in South Africa, or is comparable in size to Wales, Denmark or Massachusetts. Niassa Reserve is one of the largest protected Miombo forest eco-systems in the world, with a surface of 42,200km², the Niassa Reserve is the largest conservation area of Mozambique and it contains by far the greatest concentration of wildlife in the country

    Valid HTML 4.01 Transitional