WWF - WWF in Mozambique

Transforming Lives: Managing Oysters in the Quirimbas National Park

2008-10-10

Oysters in the Quirimbas are a resource that have historically been used as a minor dietary supplement, shucked and sold by the cup for about 60 cents US a kilo to make into a sauce for rice. Now, however, thanks to the efforts of WWF and the Quirimbas National Park (QNP), along with a local NGO called the Associação do Meio Ambiente (AMA - Association for the Environment), oysters are transforming the lives of several island communities.

Having successfully set up small no-take zones that have allowed fish stocks to rebound, villagers found that they also seemed to produce lots and lots of oysters. Unable to take advantage of these, being in the no-take zone, they asked the park again for help. Here AMA stepped in, giving technical support to set up rotating harvest zones just next to the no-take zones, taking advantage of the brood stock there to set up a highly sustainable harvesting system. In a very short period of time, oysters were abundant.

However, collecting just for the local market was still not very profitable. Again the QNP and AMA stepped in, teaching simple processing techniques such as boiling and drying, or preserving in oil and spices. Profits shot up six-fold, and with the increased volumes as well, once poor fishermen are now quite well off. Mussemuco, a village of just 240 people, had only one mobile phone two years ago, owned by the AMA extension worker living there. Today, there are more than 30 phones. The village shop has many new products in it, including previously unaffordable articles like washing powder and curry spices. The project funded the first oyster processing group here, but now there are more than a dozen, all copying an obviously successful business model, using their own funds to do so. Once cut off and isolated, small buyers are coming to Mussemuco from many of the surrounding villages to buy oysters, paying fees to the village fund for the right to purchase here.

On Ibo Island, the oyster harvest and processing group has swollen to 29 people, divided into harvesters, who are mostly men, and processors, predominantly women. Bottling the oysters in oil and spices, they have now conquered new markets with the new hotels in the area, and as far away as the provincial capital, a full day’s journey away. In a single trip they can now earn 2000 USD, in an area where the vast majority of the population lives on perhaps 50cents a day! With their own rotating harvest zones established and respected, this is a resource that can be sustainably harvested for the indefinite future.

The Community Development Committee President in Mussemuco sums up the changes thus, “All you see here is on the basis of the oyster.” he says. Lives transformed, resources protected. In the Quirimbas National Park, everybody wins.

Sean Nazerali, Quirimbas National Park Project Executant

In Bazaruto: new fishermen association under big challenge

2008-08-06

The Archipelago claims for a new and urgent fishing revival

Maputo, Mozambique – WWF´s Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) Project in Bazaruto has achieved one of its main goals by helping in the establishment of a new fishermen association in Bazaruto Archipelago: the Bazaruto Archipelago Fishermen Association (APABA). The new association will be the officially known community entity responsible for the good and prosperous management of the scarce marine natural resources remaining in this area.

The new association faces a big challenge in the restoration of the ecological biodiversity of the area. Specifically, it will deal with one of the most dramatic fisheries crisis ever faced in the archipelago. Contrary to the past, the word “fish”, in all its senses and varieties, seems now to be one of the most missing “resources” for local communities as it has been a long time since anyone experienced a good catch. This crisis has lead to an unstoppable and irrational exploration of the few and juvenile remaining fishing stocks.

Eng. Meneses Roberto, WWF´s CBNRM Bazaruto Project Executant, thinks that, although this association should have come long time ago, it is now very welcome and WWF should congratulate itself for this achievement: “We have created enough capacity for local communities to start to manage, in a sustainable way, the marine resources they have around them" said Mr. Roberto.

When questioned about the first steps of his mandate, the new elected president of the APABA, Mr. Cremildo Zivane, said that:”My first action will be to carry out a consultation with the fishermen, mostly to find out or to confirm what is exactly leading to the scarcity of fish in our archipelago…one of the great reasons for that is the we are not using the appropriate mesh (of nets), and that problem must be resolved amongst us”.

WWF current studies on marine resources management in the area are proving that if serious measures are not taken as soon as possible Bazaruto may fall into one of its deepest fisheries crisis ever seen. According to Lara Muaves, the WWF Marine Biologist carrying out the studies in the area, the best thing to happen to local fishermen is that: “...now they accept the fact that the fish is gone and that´s due to their direct action over marine resources".

Besides the initiative of the creation of a fishermen association, the WWF CBNRM Bazaruto Project is engaged in other alternatives livelihoods which include providing training opportunities for local people in construction, carpentry, bee-keeping and sewing and the establishment of cultural, workmanship and tourist guides groups so that they may sell their services to private tourism operators based in the archipelago.

WWF CBNRM Bazaruto Project comes to an end in December 2008.

Is the Dugong population in Bazaruto slowly recovering?

2008-07-16

Dugong aerial count: population overwhelms expectations in Bazaruto

Maputo, Mozambique – Recent aerial counts performed in the Bazaruto bay, including the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP), brought out new expectations in terms of conservation of dugong population in this area: the frequency in appearance of the species has proven that the number of its population may be increasing or at least the fact that they are seen routinely could be a sign of success in its conservation.

Jane Provancha, a Senior Scientist at Dynamac Corporation (Florida) and a WWF Consultant, led the team which included the BANP as well as WWF Mozambique staff during the aerial counts. According to the experience gathered during this assignment, she could contentedly say that: “We saw a huge range in the numbers of dugongs – one of our “official surveys” resulted seeing only 9 dugongs, whereas on another of our “official surveys“(just two days later) – we saw 135 dugongs… we can comfortably say that our highest count was a minimum number of dugongs using the area: there are likely more than 135 dugongs here.”

When compared to SASOL report, the South African Oil and Gas Company, from last year in which their high count was around 69 dugongs, it can be said that: “This “change” may not indicate a real increase in the population, but is a good sign that animals are in fact routinely seen in the area and in higher numbers than reported thus far. I would say that conservation efforts are moving forward given WWF´s current emphasis on continued interaction and education of the local fishermen/women and tourists”, she completed. Results from the SASOL study pointed at an estimated number of 250 individuals in the Bazaruto bay.

On the other side, Helena Motta, the WWF Country Coordinator and herself participating in the aerial survey commented: “In 2001 the estimations pointed at a population of dugongs of around 100 individuals in total. Today, with the SASOL studies as well as these surveys that we conduct in conjunction with the BANP, we can say that things are looking much better for the dugong population. However, the findings also point out that a large proportion of individuals are being seen outside the Park area, a fact that we all need to address”.

This is in fact a critical issue despite these inspiring numbers. The area where the dugongs are seen has large fishing nets, both beach seine and gill nets. These are too dangerous to dugongs, marine turtles, dolphins and other endangered species, which could easily be entangled and incidentally killed. The regular disturbance of the underlying seagrass beds by these nets is also another worrying matter as they are a very important for the presence of dugongs.

This is the reason why WWF is now promoting activities beyond the Park borders. Together with the Fisheries Authorities of Mozambique it is working on several mitigation impacts of the use of non-recommended fishing gear in Vilankulo and Inhassoro districts, in the coast of the Bazaruto bay, and in the BANP. One of the activities which have been producing very good results is the continuous environmental education campaign targeting fishery associations and schools in the area.

Recently, WWF organized a football tournament which motto’s “I Protect Endangered Species of Bazaruto” called the attention for the conservation of 4 identified species: Dugongs, Turtles, Dolphins and Sharks. Four teams composed by fishermen associations, WWF staff, Fishery Authorities and students participated and helped raise awareness on the conservation of Bazaruto biodiversity. Flyers, banners, t-shirts and other informative material were produced specifically for this event.

One dugong killed in Inhassoro, near the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park

2008-04-22

Maputo, Mozambique – One dugong (Dugong dugon), an endangered species in Mozambique and in the world, was found dead in Inhassoro, Inhambane province, near the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BNAP). Thanks to information given by a local tourism operator, dugong parts and of other species, like the great white shark and marine turtles, were discovered and all involved people arrested.

The dead dugong, which was already divided in several parts, was intentionally caught by an old fisherman (aged 58) with the help of other people using a gillnet; a non-recommended fishing art in BANP surrounding areas, to its potential risk to endangered species like marine turtles and dugongs.

In response to this terrific discovery, a task-team consisting of several entities like WWF, BNAP, the Navy and local marine authorities (ADMAR) was set-up with the mission to identify all possible hiding-places and suspicious activities. As result, several green marine turtle (Chelonia mydas) carcasses, great white shark parts, dugong carcasses, gillnets, cutlasses, axes, knives and fishing boats were confiscated.

“The information given by the tourism operator and the fact that people do it (killing endangered species) isolatedly proves that the awareness work being carried out in Vilankulo, Inhassoro and BNAP is working; people are aware of the importance of theses species and will continue protecting them, either by denunciations or by not fishing them”, said Mário Fumo, the Environmental Education Officer at WWF Mozambique.

According to Mozambican legislation on Fauna, the offenders incur a fine of almost 6 thousand US dollars and 3 months in jail. All accused people have already been arrested.

“The joint mission did a remarkable work…I think this should be taken as good lesson by other protected areas in the country”, said Dr. Kemal Vaz, a consultant involved in the revision of the BANP Management Plan.

WWF Mozambique, in partnership with local stakeholders, have been developing and implementing communication and environmental education campaigns in the BANP and surrounding areas, namely Inhassoro and Vilankulo districts. These awareness activities have lead to many successes and challenges that inspire the organization to continue with its activities not only in this region, but in other sensitive areas in the country.

Community Fishery Revolution: In the Quirimbas National Park

2008-03-27

Maputo, Mozambique – Amazing conservation records, inspiring community commitment and leadership, great scientific results and other facts worthy recording is how one can describe the work being carried out in the marine area of the Quirimbas National Park (QNP).

As a reflex of the positive impacts of the Total Marine Protected Zones (TMPZ) of Ibo, Matemo, Quilalea and Sencar Islands, a new TMPZ has been proposed by the local community in Zala Bank, within QNP and Jimpia, outside the park, in the Pemba Bay.

A 2.25 km2 area in Zala Bank, with unique and untouched coral reefs, was proposed by the communities of Nambo, Mussano and Numama for the establishment of a TMPZ as a result of the fish scarcity that is strongly affecting them. Formerly, this area was known for its greatness in terms of quantity and diversity of fish, but due to unregulated fishing activities (including the use of damaging fishing techniques) in recent years (after the park being gazette), marine resources have simple been overexploited and almost nothing was left; only small sized butterfly-fishes are found around the bank.

“Considering the great conditions of coral reefs in this area, it’s almost unacceptable that there’s no fish in abundance there…this means that, if proper fishing alternatives are introduced and the community commits itself in the management of the TMPZ, we might be surprised in a very near future”, said Alice Costa, a WWF Mozambique Marine Biologist, responsible for the establishment of other TMPZ in the QNP.

Currently, after preliminary studies have been carried out, the Park and the Fisheries Authorities are assessing all relevant aspects necessary for the establishment of the Zala bank TMPZ. Curiously, another request, but this time from outside the park, has reached the park offices; it’s the case of the Jimpia community fishermen, which is interested in establishing a close area around the Pemba Bay. This request comes as result of the experience exchange done recently between these fishermen and those from Ibo and Matemo Islands.

The QNP authorities are giving all necessary support to the fishermen of the Jimpia Bank, towards the establishment of the TMPZ.

Note:
The Zala Bank is located in the northern region of the Quirimbas National Park; almost 2km down to the Rolas Island.

More of Africa urged to boost rhino numbers

2008-03-14

KwaZulu Natal, South Africa – After bringing Africa’s black rhinos spectacularly back from the brink of extinction one of the world’s most successful conservation programmes is to celebrate its first decade by seeking to extend its operations to more of Africa.

Representatives of the governments of Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia are expected to join in WWF’s African Rhino Programme (ARP) 10th anniversary celebration in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, today. They will join government and wildlife representatives, community representatives and eco-tourism operators from the current ARP participating States of in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

“What we have shown is that in partnership with governments and communities and business it is possible to stave off extinction for the rhino in some of its former range,” said WWF International’s Species Programme Director Dr Susan Lieberman. “The task now is to secure a future for the rhino in the rest of its range, where threats from poaching and development urgently need to be addressed.”

Africa’s savannas once teemed with more than a million white and black rhinos. However, relentless hunting by European settlers saw rhino numbers and distribution quickly decline. The southern white rhino was close to extinction by the late 19th century but concerted conservation efforts by KwaZulu Natal and others has led to a significantly larger population.

Added to hunting and habitat loss, trade in rhino horn peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, when huge quantities were shipped to the lucrative markets of the Middle East and Asia.

Responding to the crisis, both species of African rhino were listed in 1977 in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibited all international trade of rhino parts and products. Despite this international legal protection, the black rhino population at its lowest point dipped to 2,400 in 1995.

In 1997, there were 8,466 white rhinos and 2,599 black rhinos remaining in the wild. Today, there are 14,500 white rhinos and nearly 4,000 of the more endangered black rhinos.

Today, most of Africa’s black rhinos are found in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe, where the species’ decline has been stopped through effective security monitoring, better biological management, wildlife-based tourism and extensive assistance to enable communities to benefit from rather than be in conflict with wildlife.

According to the African Rhino Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, Africa’s white and black rhino numbers have shown annual growth rates of 6.8 per cent and 4.5 per cent, respectively, since 1995.

“What we know from looking back at the last ten years is that sustained conservation can and does work,” says George Kampamba, WWF International’s African Rhino Programme Coordinator.

Although WWF has worked on Rhino conservation throughout its 45-year history, the ARP was notable for its overall approach. Working through field projects, it combined action at every level from local communities to global policy.

One striking, if unanticipated, indicator of the success of the programme is that land prices immediately increase in areas where rhinos are re-introduced through a range expansion program. The ARP, which has had experience reintroducing rhinos to national parks, also passed a milestone last year when a KwaZulu Natal community received black rhinos for community-owned land dedicated to wildlife and ecotourism uses.

“Rhino conservation in Africa is going from strength to strength,” said Dr Susan Lieberman, Director of WWF’s Global Species Programme. “But poaching, illegal trade, and unplanned development remain significant problems across the rhinos’ range and there is no room for complacency.”

In celebration of a decade of rhino conservation, WWF honoured six leaders as “rhino champions” today at Pongola Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal. "These rhino champions have made extraordinary contributions to rhino conservation," Dr Lieberman said.

The champions are:.

Emmanuel-Cebo Gumbi (known as “Nathi Gumbi”) director Somkhanda Game Reserve and member of the Gumbi royal family

Kevin John Pretorius, regional director for Phinda Game Reserve

Clive Vivier, owner Leopold Mountain Game Reserve

Manfred Kohrs, former chairman Pongola Game Reserve Association

Dr Jacques Flammand, project leader WWF/Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.

Taye Teferi, conservation director of WWF’s East Africa Regional Program

Jackson Kamwi, Senior Rhino Monitor at the Lowveld Conservancy Project, Zimbabwe

See under media releases for further information and contact details

After six years away: Marine Turtles return to Rolas Island in the Quirimbas National Park

2008-03-11

Pemba, Mozambique – After more than 6 years since marine turtles or their eggs where last spotted in the uninhabited Rolas Island, in the Quirimbas National Park (QNP), two nests were found in the island recently. This amazing discovery was made by two park rangers during an internal assessment visit carried out last week.

According to Augusto Omar, a local religious leader and park counselor: “6 years ago the pressure over marine resources (including marine turtles) in this island was very high…people use to come even from Tanzazia to catch and eat turtles and their eggs, but now things have changed: it’s the community watching over the island and it is now a safer place for this species”. “…at the time (6 years ago) you could easily find about 70 fishermen camping there, but that is over now thanks to the Park”, concluded Omar.

With the creation of the park and the establishment of marine protected areas (sanctuaries), the number of fishermen visiting the island has decreased, and now even two park rangers are based there. The local community fishermen work in close collaboration with the ranges in order to ensure that the sanctuaries aren’t violated by local and illegal fishermen.

“The implementation of the Marine Turtle Conservation Programme has helped them understand the importance of this endangered species; now we have results here and in other parts of the country where we are implementing this programme.” Said Alice Costa, a WWF Mozambique Marine Biologist, who also added: “this is all possible not only because they are aware, but mostly because they participate in monitoring activities”.

In addition, other species considered to have been disappeared a few years ago in the park are now being seen again very often; this is the case of grey mullet (mugil cephalus) and some species of parrot-fish.

The Rolas Island is located in the north of the Quirimbas National Park and has one established Marine Protected Area.

Further Information:
Lécio Munguambe, Communication Officer
WWF Mozambique Coordination Office
Fax: 21 490970
E-mail: lmunguambe@wwf.org.mz

New guide to reducing bycatch goes online

2008-02-12

As a service to the long-term sustainability of both fish stocks and fishing communities, WWF has established an online resource providing up-to-date information on bycatch (the capture of non-target creatures in fishing gear) and how to reduce it.

The new website, accessed through WWF’s familiar www.panda.org portal, aims to take fishers, consumers and those simply concerned, through the whole bycatch story, from problems to proven or potential solutions.

“Bycatch costs fishers time and money,” said Amanda Nickson, Head of WWF’s Bycatch Initiative. “It contributes to the already critical problem of over-fishing, it jeopardizes future revenue, jobs and long-term food security.

“It is also a major killer of marine wildlife. How many more reasons do you need to change the way we fish?”

Each year, many millions of tonnes of marine animals such as turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks, and seabirds, right through to juvenile fish, corals, crabs and starfish etc are caught by modern, indiscriminate yet highly efficient fishing gear and thrown back into the water (‘discarded’), dead or dying.

In the tropical shrimp trawl fisheries, for example, bycatch may outweigh the shrimp catch by 20 to 1 or more, according the UN Food and Agricultural Organization.

Much of this bycatch consists of juvenile and low-value fish which are then often discarded, usually dead. Such wastages constitute a serious mismanagement of our valuable ocean resources. In many cases, however, bycatch can be reduced with modifications to fishing gear, which according to Nickson makes “the ongoing high level of bycatch unethical”.

“It's time to change - and we hope this site and the resources we've provided will help us all contribute to bycatch reduction," she said.

The new site maps where fisheries are working to reduce bycatch and includes a new searchable database that showcases bycatch solutions through fishing gear modifications. WWF, which is devoting major new resources to tackling this problem in key fisheries, is confident the new site will become an invaluable source of information for everyone, including fishers, politicians, technical experts, journalists and interested members of the public.

The site is found at www.panda.org/bycatch

Dugong conservation in Bazaruto Archipelago National Park: Phase II

2007-10-29

Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, Mozambique – As part of the second phase of a WWF dugong campaign in two districts of Mozambique — Vilankulo and Inhassoro — WWF Mozambique continues to provide training material about protecting this endangered marine mammal to local fishermen associations, fisheries authorities and the public at large.

The training material has been developed to mitigate declining dugong populations as a result of bycatch — the accidental capture of fish and other marine animals in fishing gear — as well as their intentional capture for meat.

“Following the success of the first phase of our education campaign that started in July, the local population, especially fishermen, is becoming more aware of the importance of the species and the prohibition of catching and consuming it,” said Mário Fumo, WWF Mozambique Environmental Education Coordinator.

“We hope to continue working with fishermen on dugong conservation in the national park to ensure that survival of the species.”

According to local wildlife authorities, the area surrounding the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park is home to about 230 dugongs, one of the more significant dugong populations left along the coast of East Africa.

The WWF dugong campaign runs until the end of 2007. From now until then, WWF will focus its efforts on fishermen to avoid catching dugongs in their nets while fishing for other species.

Certificates for those participating in WWF training sessions will also be awarded during this time. Other activities to promote the campaign will include distributing brochures, posters, as well as hosting public debates and community radio programmes.

For further information:
Lécio Munguambe, Communication Officer
WWF-Mozambique
E-mail: lmunguambe@wwf.org.mz

WWF Mozambique launches scholarships campaign

2007-09-24

The Quirimbas National Park (QNP) Scholarship Programme
A WWF/QNP Joint Initiative

The Quirimbas National Park

The Quirimbas National Park (QNP) was established in June 2002 with the support of the local communities and other stakeholders. It is a bottom-up initiative to address existing problems through sustainable development and natural resource management in the communities, the Cabo Delgado Province and the park in particular.

The park totals an area of 750,639 ha, of which 152,237 ha are marine (the ocean, islands and S. Lazaro Bank) and 598.402 ha are terrestrial territory. The terrestrial part has long been recognized for its beautiful and pristine nature, with its rich and outstanding biodiversity and historical heritage.

However, the fish stocks in the coastal area have been seriously decimated by overfishing and due to human settlements inside the wildlife habitats, there is human wildlife conflict on the continent, which the park has started to address. The loss of soil fertility due to permanent shifting cultivation, soil erosionand diseases that seriously affect Cashew-Nut and Coconut trees, have all contributed to a negative trend in livelihood quality for the locals. According to Cabo Delgado Strategic Plan, 2000-2005, the life expectancy was stated at 37.8 years, while the infant mortality above the 5 years old was of 295 in one thousand.

The Project

WWF is active in the Quirimbas National Park area since 2001, and gives support to the implementation of the Park’s Management Plan. Considering an opportunity for human development and conservation efforts, the Environmental Fellows Association of Cabo Delgado (AMA) in partnership with the QNP and WWF launched a scholarship programme for young girls in 2005.

The campaign’s goal was to provide schooling opportunities for young girls in the Ibo Island. Due to traditional reasons and poverty, young girls at the age of 13-14, are forced to give up school to become housewives (in some cases to men three times their age). This situation not only affects them, but also affects their children whom they must educate in the very near future.

One of the reasons why these girls are forced to give up school is that there are no secondary schools nearby where they can continue to study beyond 6th Grade. Instead they are kept in the community to take on marital duties. With these scholarships, they have now the opportunity to move to other villages to attend the secondary schools that exist there.

In its early stages the project ran awareness campaigns about gender issues, and about the benefits educated members bring to a community, especially those being women. When the campaign began the outlook was bleak, but the project has been a success. The number of participants in the Ibo district rose from 8 in 2006 to 20 in 2007. The goal is for 2007 to increase this number to 30 girls. In another district of the QNP, Macomia, the goal of 30 girls benefiting from the scholarships was achieved in 2006/7.

All sponsorship beneficiaries receive a monthly amount of 300, 00 Meticais** (approx. USD 12.5) for accommodation, transport and education materials.

** Metical (Currency)

Based on this fantastic experience, WWF and QNP now intend to expand the number of young girls going to school in PNQ in the future. But we need your HELP!

How can you help?

Contribute to a scholarship fund! You would not only be helping us to send more girls to schools, but also be playing an important role in conservation efforts as well as in the development of . Most importantly, we believe that:

Education is one step towards conservation of the nature.

Two specific bank accounts have been activated in Meticais and in US dollars. All contributions will directly benefit the project. A list of all individual and corporate donors will be kept in the project records, for information purposes only.

Any amount you donate will help, but we encourage you to donate the necessary amount to keep one girl in school for one full academic year, i.e. 10 months.

The allocation of funds will be made according to the following criteria: justice, regional equilibrium, fairness and local needs.

No guarantee that a specific contribution will be directed to one specific girl or district; the allocation of funds will be made according to the needs in the field.

Account in USD:
Bank: Standard Bank
Currency: MT
Account name: Quirimbas Diversos
Account nr: 109-187471-101-1
Branch: MMA
Address: Praça da OMM, nº 70
IBAN: 000301090187471101106
SWIFT: SBICMZMX

Account in MT:
Bank: Standard Bank
Account name: Quirimbas Diversos
Currency: USD
Account nr: 109-187471-100-3
Branch: MMA
Address: Praça da OMM, nº 70
IBAN: 000301090187471100330
SWIFT: SBICMZMX

Please inform WWF of any donation made into one of the accounts. All donations will be duly recognized in writing and will benefit in its totality the scholarship project. Unless otherwise stated by the donor, WWF will publish the name of all individual and/or institutional donors in its website. WWF will report all donors about the use of the donated money.

With your help, this project can make a difference in the life of a young girl!

Please visit www.wwf.org.mz to learn more about the project and the Quirimbas National Park (Website in Portuguese, with special link to news and articles in English)

WWF Mozambique Coordination Office

Rua Dom Joao IV, 213
Caixa Postal 4560 - Maputo - Moçambique
Tel: +258 21 483121 / Fax: +258 21 490970 / Cell: +258 82 3122250
Email: wwfmoz@wwf.org.mz
Website: www.wwf.org.mz

Sea turtles threatened by rising seas

2007-09-10

Climate change is warming the earth. Ice is melting and sea levels have started to rise. This causes damage, with serious consequences for nature and for coastal communities.

Scientists have now looked at the impacts of sea level rise on sea turtles. These ancient animals lay their eggs into the beach sand. Many turtle species return to the exact beaches that they were hatched to lay the eggs for the next generation of turtles.

However, sea level rise threatens beach habitat and turtle reproduction will be hard hit. To investigate the threat of climate change, a recent study examined the nesting sites of sea turtles in the Caribbean Islands under three likely sea-level rise scenarios.

The authors of this report found that with a moderate 0.5 m rise in sea level, a third of the total current beach area could be lost. Among the 13 beaches that were surveyed one particularly vulnerable beach could lose almost its entire suitable sea turtle habitat. This magnitude of beach habitat loss could literally be the point of no return for populations of already critically endangered sea turtles, such as the hawksbill turtle.

Climate change effects on marine turtles can include:

loss of nesting and feeding habitats due to sea-level rise;
increased sand temperatures, which can lead to changes in sex ratios or potentially result in mortality;
increased ocean temperatures, which can lead to coral bleaching and other damage to turtle feeding habitats;
changes in ocean currents, which can modify migrations paths and feeding patterns; and
extreme rainfall events, which can increase the potentially lethal transfer of sediment to coral reefs and raise water tables, thereby flooding nests.

WWF´s Latin America and Caribbean Programme and the Climate Change Programme are constructing a research project to quantify the impacts that climate change will have on hawksbill turtles, provide a model for assessing future climate change impacts to other marine turtle species, and begin to shape how we develop conservation strategies to protect marine turtles in the face of climate change. The first stage of this project targets the Caribbean region.

This study will identify the location and susceptibility of known hawksbill nesting areas to climate change and will provide management prescriptions to reduce the vulnerability of hawksbill turtles and increase their resilience to climate change. When completed WWF will provide tools, such as a map highlighting current nesting areas, key habitats and migration paths that are potentially threatened by sea level and temperature rise, so that managers and conservationists can prioritize their efforts. WWF is currently looking for partners to embark in this program of work.

WWF is also working across the globe to help protect hawksbill, leatherback, and other species of sea turtles and the habitats that they need to survive. They are threatened by hunting, pollution, beach development (such as coastal resorts), and by unsustainable fishing practices (for example, unintentionally catching turtles when harvesting fish). Now climate change adds an additional threat.

“As we continue to pollute our atmosphere with emissions from power plants, sea level rise increases and will drastically reduce sea turtle nesting sites,” says Michael Case, WWF Climate Change Research Scientist. “Climate change could well be the long-term threat that determines whether some species of sea turtles survive or go extinct.”

Will the people also be affected?

Nearly half of the world’s human populations live within 200 km of coasts. Many countries rely on the environmental and economic values of coasts such as fishing, tourism, and transport. Many of the largest cities are coastal cities, for example London, New York, Shanghai and Singapore.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the current rate of sea level rise is 1-2 mm per year. By 2100 we could see the water rising between 90 and 880 mm. This rise in sea levels will have a number of impacts including coastal flooding, the destruction of coastal wetlands, increased erosion of beaches and other coastal land.

We can only guess how prohibitively expensive sea level rise will be.

Source:
Fish et al. 2005. Predicting the Impact of Sea-Level Rise on Caribbean Sea Turtle Nesting Habitat. Conservation Biology 19(2):482-491.

See Carlos Drews' interview with CNN en Español on September 13, 2007

Community-based tourism in Mozambique’s Quirimbas National Park generates income

2007-08-30

Maputo, Mozambique – A community-based tourism project sponsored by WWF in Quirimbas National Park is showing quick results.

After only six months, income from small-scale tourism has significantly increased, helping to support the local community and environment.

“Tourism has become one of the most important income-generating activities for many communities,” said Rebecca Phillips, WWF-Mozambique’s Programme Coordinator.

“There is so much potential in this sector. A lot can be done to help communities better manage this activity.”

As part of the Quirimbas National Park Development Project, WWF-Mozambique has been working with local communities in the Ibo District to identify eco-tourism opportunities and development.

Three women have already been trained through a WWF-sponsored programme and are now offering rooms in their homes to tourists, as well as other services, including catering and cleaning.

To date, 60 tourists have stayed with these women, generating an income of US$860 (the minimum monthly salary in Mozambique is US$64.50). Sixty per cent of this income goes directly to the homeowners, while 30 per cent goes to a community fund and the remaining 10 per cent to the project’s administrative costs, which are managed by the local community-based association N’lamba (which means Baobab).

“Instead of depending only on the exploitation of natural resources for their livelihoods, we are trying to give these women an opportunity to engage in other income-generating activities,” Phillips said. “The programme will be extended to other parts of the park with potential for tourism activities.”

The Quirimbas National Park, located in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province, extends protection for 750,639ha of important areas containing coastal forest and mangroves, key marine sites including rich coral reefs, as well as other species such as marine turtles and dugongs.

END NOTES:

• The Quirimbas Development Project is being implemented by WWF-Mozambique, with funding from AFD, the French development agency, and FFEM, the French Fund for World Environment.

For further information:
Lécio Munguambe, Communications Officer
WWF-Mozambique
Tel: +258 21 48 21 31
E-mail: lmunguambe@wwf.org.mz

Alternative livelihoods contribute to marine conservation in Mozambique

2007-08-14

The coast of Mozambique, spanning some 2,700km along the Indian Ocean, is characterized by rich marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, dugongs and migrating whales. But overfishing and unchecked development are increasingly threatening this pristine habitat.

In order to reduce these threats, WWF is offering courses to communities living in and around the country’s Bazaruto Archipelago National Park — courses promoting sustainable alternative livelihoods that don’t impact as much on the fragile marine ecosystem.

As part of the WWF Bazaruto Marine Natural Resources Management Project, women from Bazaruto and Magaruque islands, which lie within the boundaries of the national park, are being trained in sewing techniques. Upon completion of the course, participants receive a sewing machine and accessories so that they have the tools needed to start commercial activities such as making clothes for tourists.

“Through this course we are creating conditions for the women to engage in income-generating activities other than fishing. This will help reduce pressure on the natural resources,” said Menezes Roberto, WWF’s Project Executant.

The WWF project also offers training courses in carpentry and construction, as well as supporting environmental education in local elementary schools.

Roberto admits, however, that it is a challenge to convince people, particularly fishermen, to attend the some of the courses being offered.

“Many argue that fishing is more lucrative than a profession which doesn’t offer many employment opportunities in the park,” he said. “This might be true now, but it’s important to strengthen community capacity to sustain income alternative options in the long term, especially with rapidly depleting marine resources.”

END NOTES:

• The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park is located in Mozambique’s southern province of Inhambane. The archipelago is comprised of five islands — Bazaruto, Magaruque, Benguerra, Santa Carolina and Bangué. The first three islands are inhabited by about 2,500 people.

For further information:
Lécio Munguambe, Communications Officer
WWF-Mozambique
Tel: +258 21 48 21 31
E-mail: lmunguambe@wwf.org.mz

WWF-Mozambique launches dugong protection campaign

2007-07-26

A WWF campaign in two southern districts in Mozambique is helping to raise awareness of the endangered dugong, once found in large numbers off the country's coast.

The campaign — targeted at local fishing communities and associations, schools, governmental authorities, tourism operators and the general public — is being conducted in the districts of Inhassoro and Vilankulos, in an area surrounding the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park. It is believed that this is the only place along the East African cost that still hosts a significant dugong population.

Dugongs, or sea cows as they are sometimes called, are marine animals which can grow to about 3m in length and weigh as much as 400kg. They inhabit shallow, tropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

According to local fishermen, it was once very common to see dugongs in large numbers in Mozambique's waters, but those numbers are declining due to bycatch — the accidental capture of fish and other marine animals in fishing gear — as well as their intentional capture for meat.

“Thanks to pervious campaigns, the local population, especially fishermen, is aware of the importance of the species and the prohibition of catching and consuming it,” said WWF-Mozambique’s marine programme coordinator, Marcos Pereira, who is leading the dugong campaign.

“More work needs to be done. We need to identify the reasons why the practice [of catching dugongs for meat] continues despite the fact that there is information available.”

A recent village debate in Vilankulo on the dugong issue, organized by WWF-Mozambique, concluded that urgent law enforcement was needed to protect dugongs from poachers.

“Law enforcement is still a big problem. People here pretend they don’t know about the legislation or simply ignore it,” said Bendito Banze, a ranger at the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park.

“I have in my house heaps of bones of about 11 dugongs, which I found in the homes of fishermen. The offenders remain unpunished and continue capturing dugongs.”

Many believe that one of the best tools to mitigate the impact of this problem is what WWF is currently doing in the field — awareness and education campaigns.

The WWF dugong campaign runs until the end of 2007.

For further information:
Lécio Munguambe, Communication Officer
WWF-Mozambique
E-mail: lmunguambe@wwf.org.mz

Factsheet: African Elephant

2007-04-13

African elephants are the largest living land animals. Once numbering millions across the African continent, their populations had been decimated by the mid-1980s by systematic poaching. The status of the species now varies greatly across Africa. Some populations remain endangered due to poaching for meat and ivory, habitat loss, and conflict with humans, while others are secure and expanding.

African elephants are 'flagship' species for their habitats - that is, charismatic representatives of the biodiversity within the complex ecosystems they inhabit. Because these large animals need a lot of space to survive, their conservation will help maintain biological diversity and ecological integrity over extensive areas and so help many other species.

WWF's work
In 2000, WWF launched a new African Elephant Programme. With 40 years of experience in elephant conservation, WWF’s current programme aims to:

increase protection and management of elephants in Africa
build capacity within elephant range countries to manage and protect mitigate conflict between humans and elephants
control the illegal trade in elephant products.

Protecting marine turtles in Mozambique's Primeiras and Segundas Archipelagos

2007-03-16

Maputo, Mozambique – One of the great characteristics of the Mozambican coastal zone is the existence of five out of the world's seven marine turtle species.

One area which has a lot to show in terms of conservation, and which has been registering remarkable success, is the group of island that forms the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelagos in the central-northern region of the country.

According to Sabino Omar Assane, Primeiras and Segundas Community Development Officer, this conservation success has been possible through the joint efforts being made by WWF Mozambique and the local communities.

“For years, people used to eat turtle eggs, even turtle meat," said Sabino Omar. "As a result the population of marine turtles in the region collapsed, and the nesting areas under constant risk from poachers.

"Today the scenario is completely different," he adds. "People no longer consume turtle eggs. In fact, they are starting to protect the nesting areas, and in cases of bycatch, captured turtles are being returned back to the sea.”

Recently, a specialist in turtle tagging visited the region to run a training course on tagging techniques and identifying nesting turtles, since the area is considered an important nesting and foraging area for marine turtles.

The nesting areas are being secured on four out of five islands that form the Segundas Archipelago, including Puga-Puga, Njovo, Mafamede and Caldeira.

“It is important to mention that, compared to the 1990s, the number of marine turtles in the region of Primeiras and Segundas has registered an increase of about 85 per cent, which clearly shows that we are on good track,” said Sabino Omar.

END NOTES:
• The Primeiras and Segundas Archipelagos are located in the central-northern zone of Mozambique, between Zambézia and Nampula Provinces. They comprise ten islands, five for each archipelago.

For further information:
Lécio Munguambe, Communications Officer
WWF Mozambique Coordination Office
E-mail: lmunguambe@wwf.org.mz

Wanted Alive: Marine turtle campaign to launch

2007-03-15

Maputo, Mozambique – A three-year WWF campaign to reduce the number of marine turtle shells sold in markets in the Mozambican capital has seen an 80 per cent drop.

An initial study revealed that marine turtle products, mostly from the shells of hawksbill turtles, were being sold in shops and galleries. Prices varied between US$1–150. Varnished green and loggerhead turtle shells fetched as high as US$200.

A follow-up survey indicated a substantial reduction in the sale of shell products one year after the launch of a public awareness work. One year on from there, a survey of 14 shops in Maputo conducted by TRAFFIC confirmed that there were even fewer products. Some shops indicated that they no longer stock turtle shell products.

In the town of Beira in Sofala Province, where ten shops were visited, the results were equally promising, suggesting that marine species, particularly turtle shell products, were not a major focus of the curio trade. Instead the market is targeting products non-marine species such as animal skins and horn.

However in Pemba, the capital of Cabo Delgado Province in the north of Mozambique, it is still common to see turtle products on display on the streets and in curio shops.

WWF Mozambique will launch a Wanted Alive campaign in the province with an aim to achieve similar reduction rates as in Maputo.

For further information:
Alice Costa, Coordinator
WWF Mozambique
E-mail: adabulacosta@wwf.org.mz

In Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique

2007-03-15

Maputo, Mozambique - The initiative is part of the Community Development and Sustainable Marine Resources Management Project of Ibo Island. In the late 2006, due to shortage of secondary education schools in the region, the project identified the need for making available means or channels through which pupils that had completed the primary education (5th grade), would carry on with their studies in other areas rather than their communities, until the 7th grade in Ibo’s main village.

In this very early stage, there three focal areas were included, Matemo and Quirimbas islands and Mussemuco. The selection of candidates to these scholarships, which include a monthly amount of 300,00 Meticais* (approx. USD 12.5) for accommodation, transport and education material, has a main focus on gender issues, giving priority to schoolgirls who, usually, have few opportunities to carry on with their studies, due to cultural reasons and to the shortage of secondary education schools.

Currently, a group of 14 girls is under this initiative in the districts mentioned above, and 7 of them have succeeded in the 2006 academic year and are now attending the 7th grade of the National Education System. Under the same project, another 30 schoolgirls in Macomia District are benefiting of the Quirimbas National Park and the District Directorate for Education sponsorship joint-programme. It is important to mention that, this year, the 8th grade was introduced in the district. The official launch of this programme was hosted by the Quirimbas National Park Administrator, Mr. César dos Santos, on the 2nd March 2007, in Mucojo, Macomia District.

According to Guilherme dos Santos, Health and Education Officer under this project, this initiative faced a number of difficulties after being launched, considering that due to cultural reasons many girls are hindered from studying, or from carrying on with their studies far from their communities. But, the success achieved with the first group last year, has helped many families change their minds, and see this initiative as an opportunity for their daughters to best position themselves in the society.

For the years to come, it is expected that the adherence to this initiative increases, and it may help all beneficiaries of these scholarships to better position themselves in the society and, more specifically, serve in the promotion of the development in the island and in the region.

*Meticais – Mozambique Currency.

For further information:
Lécio Munguambe, Communications Officer
WWF Mozambique Coordination Office
E-mail: lmunguambe@wwf.org.mz

Counting Wildlife Manual - Mozambique Wildlife Management Series

2006-12-05

As Mozambique's growth and development strengthens, one of the key areas focused on by the Agriculture, Environment and Tourism Ministries is the protection of our natural resources. It is vital that all stake holders, from tourists to rural communities participate and benefit from the management of our wildlife and other natural resources. Knowing how many animals we have and where they are found allows us to effectively manage and benefit from them.

Human Wildlife Conflict Manual: Wildlife Management Series

2006-12-05

In community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) programmes, local communities are co-managers of wildlife and earn direct benefits from wildlife. In such programmes conflict between people and wildlife is a frequent and ongoing problem. The expansion of human settlements into wildlife areas means that human-wildlife conflict is growing in many parts of Africa. In order to be successful and sustainable, wildlife-based CBNRM programmes have to address this conflict.

This manual is designed to guide local communities, wildlife managers, policy makers, and other people involved in community conservation, in ways to reduce human-wildlife conflict. It provides some background on the problem and gives specific examples of methods used to reduce human-wildlife conflict in Southern Africa. Examples from Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe are supplied, where available, to demonstrate some of these options.