Lurio sits on the Nampula side of the Cabo Delgado and Nampula border, just south of the Lurio river, and has a bay along the coast, known as Lurio Bay. This proposed MPA stretches from Lurio south approximately 100 kms to the town of Memba, which also has a large bay. This area offers a unique opportunity as the stretch of coast has an abundance of corals and marine life; given the extremely low population density along this stretch, it means there would be little tradeoff between marine conservation and economic activities or fishing. The well-known Nuarro scuba diving lodge can be found in the area; the lodge created a locally-managed marine community conservation area (MCCA) for protecting the marine environment around Nuarro. Nacala sits about 75 kms to the south of Memba, which means access is relatively easy, and goods and services are not far away.



Along this stretch of coast there are protected mangrove forests, seagrass beds, a high diversity of coral reefs. The only information available to the authors was personal experience diving at Nuarro. Our assumption is that the habitat’s assets extend further south into Nacala, where we have also witnessed first-hand many of the same marine life. These include sea turtles (hawksbill and green), seahorses, shrimps, nudibranchs and an abundance of tropical reef fishes. Potato bass, marbled groupers, scorpion-fish, cave sweepers, soldier-fish, squirrel-fish, lion-fish, large school of five line snappers, various types of gobies, various types of eels, harlequin crabs, cowries, long nose hawk fish, pipefish (including the rare hairy pygmy pipe horse) have been spotted in these waters.


 Deeper parts of the coast have pelagic fishes (e.g., sailfish, giant trevallies, dog-tooth tunas, Spanish mackerels, Skipjack tunas, bonitos), napoleon wrasse, rays, dolphins and humpback whales, particularly during the winter season.88 Additional research and studies would be necessary to properly document the biodiversity in the area and identify main threats and opportunities.


Yara Tibirica but studies are needed to verify and document threats appropriately. in 2017. Nuarro worked with Lurio University in Pemba to establish relationships with the local fisheries and marine authorities to set up the Nuarro Marine Protected Area. There are 5 dive sites that are inside the protected area and fishing is prohibited in the protected area.


Given the low population density and limited economic activities along this section of coast (no mining or gas exploration activities), threats are not as pronounced in this possible MPA as in other MPAs. Still, fishing and other environmental issues that stem from warming seas that can contribute to coral bleaching may threaten biodiversity assets along this section, Given the close proximity to Nacala and the Nuarro Lodge, we think this proposed MPA seascape offers reasonable blue economy potential, particularly for the coastal and marine tourism segments, as well as for marine research segments.




 The wellestablished and reputable lodge and dive center, coupled with the proximity of the MCCA, vibrant marine life and even a steel cargo steamship that sank after running into Baixo da Pinda, all make the seascape perfect for ecotourism. The secluded feeling of being at Nuarro means no other divers around and little pressure from multiple tour operators, gives those visiting the area a feeling of being at their very own resorts, with no need to hurry between dives, an amenity often sought after by many in the dive tourism segment.


IUCN and RARE are working in this seascape on fisheries management and marine tenure issues and WCS is gearing up to hopefully support marine conservation work in this seascape with funding from Blue Action Fund. Nuarro worked to create a micro MPA in the coastal areas in front of Nuarro and works with the local communities to enforce the MPA.


 The owner of Kwalala Lodge confirmed the existence of 6 other micro MCCAs in Nacala: Libélula, Melala, Naharenque, Muzuane, Massingirini and Nachiropa. As with virtually all of these small, non-formal MCCAs, there have been challenges in managing the sanctuaries, particularly in monitoring fishing.


Following this experience, the railway company Caminho de Ferro de Nacala (CFN) together with the port, have expressed the interest to scale up this model, by creating artificial reefs. The potential for scaling up this approach further, leveraging public and private funding is great. UEM is also supporting a mangrove restoration project associated with the expansion of the Port of Nacala.Users that visit the sanctuary pay a fee to Kwala Lodge, which in turn pays ASSOPENA who works to manage and police the sanctuary. ASSOPENA can fine fishermen if they find nets around the reserve.


Their work has led to improvements: Kwalala lodge reported to the authors they have seen coral growth, more shoals, more species, and better health of the marine ecosystem, which in turn is helping local fishermen to catch fish. Kwalala lodges would like to extend the reef to 1km in length. The authors were amazed by the health of the reefs and the variety of marine life in the sanctuary.