Marine Parks & Reserves; Unpopular Travel Destinations in Tanzania
Marine conservation took on a life of its own in the 1990s, as the Marine Parks and Reserves No 29, of 1994, was enacted by the Parliament of Tanzania. This Act applies to marine environments with their prolific animals and plants to provide a framework to conserve, manage, and wisely utilize these environments. The conservation efforts clocked around the 1960s where the early surveys of marine habitats reefs were conducted and several sites legislated as marine reserves in the mid-1970s. However, there was no specific management or institutional mechanism enacted to manage the reserves aside from giving the authority to the Department of Fisheries. In the late 1980s, the villagers of the Mafia district sought to establish a protected area in their waters, rekindling Tanzania’s interest in creating marine protected areas (MPAs). As a result of this legislation, Mafia Island Marine Park was declared the first marine park in mainland Tanzania in 1995.
By 1996, the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, pursuant to Act 29 of 1994, appointed a semi-autonomous governing body, the board of trustees for marine parks and reserves, which was responsible for formulating policies and administering the country’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Under the Fisheries Act of 1970, five (5) marine reserves were gazetted in 1999, placing them under the domain of MPRU. Marine Parks (MBREMP and TACMP) on the shores of Mnazi Bay–Ruvuma Estuary were gazetted in 2000 and 2009, respectively. There are currently three (3) marine parks and fifteen (15) marine reserves under MPRU. There are two divisions in the Tanzania marine ecosystem, which are Marine Parks and Reserves.
A marine park is a version of a marine reserve that encourages community uptake and habitation through a strict zonation scheme and emphasizes education, recreation, and preservation through participatory management approaches In contrast, marine reserves are protected areas that are strictly set aside to protect biodiversity and also are always small areas where human residence isn’t permitted, and resources and impacts are strictly controlled and confined to ensure that conservation values are protected. Several of these protected areas can serve as invaluable resources for scientific research and monitoring.
There are three marine parks in the Marine Parks conservation system, Mafia Island Marine Park, Mnazi Bay Ruvuma Estuary, and Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park. Three marine reserves have been established: the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves System (DMRS), the Tanga Marine Reserves System (TMRS), and the Mafia Marine Reserve System.
During a trip to Tanzania, you can expect a lot in the marine destinations. It is a fun experience witnessing marine wildlife like turtles and the peculiar Fruit Bats, as well as seeing the seasonal migration of the humpback whales and Sperm whales, visit the Sand beaches, mangroves, coral gardens, ruins, and coastal cultures throughout the island while swimming with Whale Sharks and Dolphins. Kayaking, cruising, snorkeling, and wind surfing are some other tourist activities you can indulge in.
Overall, the marine adventure is an experience that will leave you in such bliss and with memories that will last a lifetime. A visit to these marine parks and reserves can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their abilities or age. This option explains the immense amount of natural diversity that Tanzania is endowed with, and it can be used by all those seeking an escape into the natural world. To get started on this travel adventure, feel free to contact me at voyagewithandrew@gmail.com.
