The Mozambican hosts five species of marine turtle including the green (Chelonia mydas), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) (Louro et al. 2006, Costa et al. 2007). Nesting takes place from January to April with the peak occurring in March (Costa et al. 2007).  Hawksbill nesting is limited to the northern section of the coast. Studies conducted in 2004 and 2005 revealed that this species also forages in the coastal waters off southern Mozambique (WWF 2005).



 Guissamulo (1993) reported turtle captures in Maputo and Bazaruto Bays, and more recently Gove et al. (2001) analyzed the effects of the prawn fisheries on marine turtles in the Sofala Bank. Gove et al., (2001) estimated that between 1932 and 1954, 36 marine turtles were accidentally caught every year in the Sofala Bank during the prawn fishery season. Although not all turtles are killed, a great majority are eaten by the fishermen. Under Maritime Fishing Regulation, the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in trawl prawn fishing is a requirement, but this regulation is not followed. Despite legislative protection, marine turtle populations in Mozambique are under increasing pressure from human population. 


According to Louro  (2006) due to the lack of information from remote areas, it is difficult to pinpoint areas where marine turtle mortality is high. However, turtle mortality is believed to be widespread throughout the entire coastline of Mozambique. Nevertheless, Sofala Bank Vilankulos to Inhassoro and Barra-Tofo-Tofinho and Bilene  deserve special attention since in these area turtle mortality rates are very high (Gove et al. 2001, Gove and Magane 1996, Pereira pers. Comm.). ii) Gaps In order to prevent the loss of marine turtles, there is a need to protect the ecosystems that support them such as coastal dunes.


Conduct studies on the growth and foraging habits of the species. Determine the level of the human impact over marine turtle populations in different stages of its life cycle. Build capacity - both financial and human and establish long-term sustainable monitoring programs. Strengthen collaboration between institutions and experts in Mozambique. Strengthen Mozambique Marine Turtle Working Group in order foster research, conservation and management. Establish links with programs supported by Non- Governmental Organizations, for capcity-building, sharing information and data.


 This group is dominated by a single species, the sooty tern ( Sterna fuscata)  which represents 99% of the total number of birds. Observations on board of the Fridjof Nansen Cruises in 2007 counted a total of 6,396 individuals (from Pemba to Maputo).  Seabirds breed are known at Coroa (Primeira Archipelago) and Puga Puga (Segunda Archipelago).  Although the former island is protected by traditional beliefs, eggs are collected and adult birds are caught by the local fishermen.  i) Issues Seabirds  are threatened by destruction of  habitats that sustain them and by destructive fishing practises. Depletion of these endangered species will result into loss in biodiversity.  Exploitation of littoral organisms by the local population is common  along the Mozambican coast. 

This represents a potential threat to the conservation of the shore bird since birds are depended on these organisms. The accelerated growth of the tourist industry along the Mozambican coast also poses a serious threat to the conservation of the shore birds. In Mozambique, seabirds are sources of high protein food to local communities. However, harvesting of both eggs and adults is unsustainable and it affects the population dynamics of marine seabirds (Le Corre and Jaquemet 2005). 

There is a need to map the extent of the critical bird habitats and determine factors controlling their health and sustainability. Conduct studies on the diversity of shorebirds including abundance in coastal areas, with emphasis on the northern part of the country. Up-date information on colonies of seabirds along the coast. Map the nesting sites of the seabirds.  Conduct studies on the effects of pollution on coastal and marine birds. Evaluate the impact of the tourism industry on the shorebirds behaviour and abundance.

 International shipping industries are responsible for the majority of alien species invading foreign waters including Mozambique waters. Over 3,000 marine species travel around the world in ships’ ballast water on a daily basis. An assessment of the impacts caused by ballast water in Mozambique has not yet been done. The country has three (3) large harbors where large vessels can bring in alien species.  The Mozambique aquaculture industry is young. While the culture of freshwater species such as tilapia has existed for many decades (since 1950), the cultivation of marine species has emerged only since 1995 (Ministry of Fisheries 2006).


 These include black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), Indian white prawn (P. indiscus, P. japonicus, Feneropenaeus indicus), pink prawn (Macrobrachium monocerosi), Kuruma prawn (Modiolus philippinarum), bivalves, (Perna perna, Meretrix meretris, Modiolous philippinarum, Eumarcia pauperculata, Sacrostrea cucullata, Cassostrea gigas, Veneruspis Japonica) and mud crab (Scylla serrata). The exotic species farmed are seaweeds such as Kappaphycus alvarezii and Eucheuma spinosum - red algae (Ministry of Fisheries 2006). Exotic seaweeds are farmed in Northern Mozambique (Cabo Delgado and Nampula Provinces) in shallow areas close to the shore. In 2008 the total production of seaweed was about 70 tonnes (INAQUA 2008).