FOCUS ON TOURISM INDUSTRY:
  

"Let’s share the gift of nature" What makes Tanzania Marine Parks and Reserves so special? Her marine Protected Area is significantly less disturbed and contains a rich but diverse marine  life. The variety of marine life found in Tanzania Marine Parks and Reserves include many species  that are rare and endangered in the world. There are over 400 species of fish, 48 genera of soft  and hard coral, the endangered marine turtle, dolphins and the rare dugong. This is also one of the few places left on earth where you can witness the spectacular union of  marine and terrestrial protected area network. The Parks and Reserves are a home to the extensive coral reefs. These reefs as “rainforest of our sea”, presents a dazzling array of shapes, colours and motions that delight the eye. The goal The goal of establishing Marine Parks and Reserves (MPRs) is to conserve the marine waters and  its prolific animals and plant life while providing for sustainable resource utilisation of both  extractive and non-extractive nature. The strategy is to integrate conservation activities into  the social economic well-being of the use -- community. The vision Our vision is to establish a well-managed, integrated network of marine and fresh water protected  areas, which ensure the sustainability of Tanzania’s aquatic biological diversity and ecological  processes for the benefit of present and future generations. Get to know the Tanzania Marine  Parks and reserves Boat and sport fishing licensing within Mafia and Mnazi-Bay Ruvuma estuary Marine Parks only: Boats engines of less than 40 Hp (including dhow) trading in marine resources: 10,000/= per  month. Boat engines of above 40hp: 50,000/= per month. Visiting leisure boat privately owned and non-commercial for max. 7 days: US $ 10 per entry. ‘ Visiting commercial leisure boat including chattered: US $50 for maximum of 7 days. Game fishing  boat: US $ 50 per entry up to 7 days. Cruise ship/ tourist passenger Boat US $ 500 per entry. Visitors staying at lodges and fishing in a boat owned registered business in the Marine Parks or visiting game for a period of 7 days: US $ 20. Fishermen on game fishing Boats each pay a fee of: US $ 50 or any period up to 7 days.

Mafia Island Marine Park (MIMP) Mafia is the largest of a small archipelago of island with apopulation of about 20,000 people who  live within the 14 villages that lie wholly or partially within the boundary. Mafia just half an  hour’s flight from Dar es Salaam,is large,flat,sandy island. Mafia Island Marine Park, is a globally renowned biodiversity hotspot south of the Sahara. The  lodges within the park are like “bush resort”in that everything is quite, thus offering the  perfect alternative safari experience time to relax! Major tourist activities are: Scuba diving,Snorkeling,Relaxation on the beach and spot fishing The Mnazi Bay-Ruvuma Estuary Marine Park (MBREMP) is the second Marine Park to be established in Tanzania after Mafia Island Marine Park(MIMP).The area is situated in Mtwara Rural District at  the border of Tanzania and Mozambique. The area is very important for having biodiversity of National and International significance  ·Some of the marine resources in the Mnazi Bay include the following: ·Sand,clean and virgin beaches with uncontaminated and warm waters  ·Sand dunes which are the highest on the East African sea body  ·Coral reef gardens  ·Islands surrounded by coral reefs and mangrove forests ·Dolphins  ·Humpback Whales visiting the area during September to March for carrying out biological   responsibilities  ·Various species of birds, commonly Crab plovers and Heroin, the area also documented as an   important Bird Area(IBA) ·Five species of turtle found in Tanzania including Green turtle, Loggerhead and Hawksbill  Boat licensing which operates within marine reserves of Bongoyo, Mbudya,Fungu Yasini,Pangavini &  Maziwi only: Passenger boats with carrying capacity of 15:US$ 200 per month or US$ 2400 per annum. Local registered leisure boat:Tshs5,000 Foreign registered leisure boat:US$ 40 Private leisure boats, free. Concessions: Concession to operate public services in marine reserves i.e. restaurants, etc is US$ 2,400 per  annum. Or US$ 200 per month. Commercial filming fees: Image capture of any type i.e still photography, motion picture photography, still or  conventional video imaging, for commercial purposes, in any marine reserve shall pay US$ 500 per  period of up to 14 days.

The Does and Don’ts of marine Parks and Reserves Tanzania: · Follow authorized traits/footpaths · Anchor in designated mooring buoy sites · Don’t tamper with marine or terrestrial life · Don’t pick, buy shells or corals · Weapons or fishing gears etc not allowed · Pets are not allowed · Don not litter · Do not dispose garbage at designated sites · Overnight camping and camp fire is forbidden