Tanzania plans to establish two new protected marine areas surrounding Pemba Island, which is located 50 km from the Zanzibar archipelago. This has been reported by RFI, citing Makame Omar Makame, the marine conservation officer in Zanzibar.
The initiative aims to protect an additional 1,300 square kilometers of ecosystems, including coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds.
"On Zanzibar, we allow fishing in certain areas with specific restrictions. Of course, there are particularly sensitive zones. Out of the 1,300 square kilometers, about 300 square kilometers should be under full protection. For the remaining area, fishing will be allowed, but without the use of tools that harm the marine environment," stated Makame during the third UN Ocean Conference in Nice.
Moreover, to preserve rays and sharks, Tanzania will ban purse seine nets.
The UN Ocean Conference takes place from June 9 to 13. One of its key objectives is to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030.
In March, the Tanzanian government allocated $1.5 million for a national wildlife census for the 2025/26 season.
Anna Bespalova
