Assessing the Impact of Marine Traffic on Mangrove Ecosystems in Zanzibar

Asha Juma; Julieth Koshuma

doi:10.18535/sshj.v9i09.1958

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of marine traffic on mangrove ecosystems in Zanzibar focusing on evaluating marine traffic management practices, identifying ecological challenges and proposing the sustainable strategies for mitigation. A mixed -methods design was employed collecting primary data from 80 respondents using questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions and supplemented by secondary data from government reports and scientific literature. Data analysis combined descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS Version 26 and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Findings revealed that 56.2% of respondents perceived current management practices as ineffective in safeguarding mangroves. Key ecological challenges included reduced mangrove coverage (61.3%), increased water pollution (56.3%) and declining marine biodiversity (42.5%). Thematic insights identified oil spills, dredging and anchor damage as primary drivers of degradation. A significant association was found between regulation awareness and reporting of ecological harm (χ² = 9.26, df = 3, p = 0.026). The study recommends stronger regulatory enforcement, environmental education and community based restoration initiatives. These measures are crucial to balance marine economic activities with mangrove conservation for sustainable coastal development

Keywords

Agel Project management MethodsWater infrastructureProject EfficiencyMulti - Stakeholder

References

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[refR-1] Alongi, D. M. (2018) Mangrove forests: Resilience, protection, and global change. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 211, 1-9.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Alongi, D. M. (2020) Carbon cycling and storage in mangrove forests. Annual Review of Marine Science, 12, 81-107. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-marine-010419-010610DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] GESAMP (Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection). (2019). Pollution from ships: Environmental impact and management strategies. IMO Publications.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Halpern, B. S., Frazier, M., Afflerbach, J., O’Hara, C., & Katona, S. K. (2019). Recent advances in cumulative human impacts science and management. Oceanography, 32(3), 36-47. https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2019.312DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Halpern, B. S., Frazier, M., Potapenko, J., Casey, K. S., Koenig, K., Longo, C., Lowndes, J. S., & Rockwood, R. C. (2019). A global map of human impact on marine ecosystems. Science, 319(5865), 948-952. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1149345DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] HELCOM (Helsinki Commission). (2020) Baltic Sea action plan update 2021. https://www.helcom.fi/baltic-sea-action-plan/Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Kurniawan, S., Norazlimi, N., & Yusoff, F. (2018) Maritime pollution and mangrove degradation in the Gulf of Mexico. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 131(1), 312-320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.03.012DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Lai, S., Zhang, J., & Lin, P. (2020) The impact of maritime activities on mangrove ecosystems in Southeast Asia. Global Environmental Change, 64, 102140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2020.102140DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Mashauri, P., Nyandwi, N., & Kalumanga, E. (2022) Assessing the environmental impact of marine traffic on mangrove forests in Tanzania’s coastal regions. Journal of Coastal Research, 38(4), 786-801. https://doi.org/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-22-00046.1DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Njiru, H., Bosire, J. O., & Ogutu, M. (2020) Port expansion and its impact on mangrove forests in Mombasa. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 14(5), 213-225. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJEST2020.2945DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Numbere, A. O., & Camilo, G. R. (2017) Impact of oil spills on mangrove forests in the Niger Delta. Environmental Pollution, 234,507-519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.01.013DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Ofori, S., Anokye, M., & Boateng, K. (2019). Marine traffic and its impact on Ghana’s mangrove ecosystems. West African Journal of Marine Studies, 11(2), 189-204. https://doi.org/10.1080/wajms.2019.0143DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis (2nd ed.). Harper & Row.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Zanzibar Maritime Authority (ZMA). (2023). Annual report on marine traffic and environmental sustainability in Zanzibar. Government of ZanzibarGoogle Scholar ↗