The PSEPA includes extensive and pristine coral reefs, coastal wetlands and estuaries with dense mangrove forests covering over 57,000 ha (220 square miles) with six mangrove species, seagrass beds containing 8 seagrass species, and extensive coastlines that are breeding grounds for its rich bird life. Sightings of the endangered dugong have been reported and five of the world’s seven species of sea turtles can be found in the PSEPA, including the loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles, which nest on the islands and mainland beaches.50 Migratory whales frequent the PSEPA, as ocean depths can reach over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) just 35 kms (21.7 miles) from the coast, and a deep-sea upwelling creates rich waters with micronutrients these mammals depend on.



Overfishing from industrial and artisanal fisheries, including by-catch, particularly of turtles, is a threat for the PSEPA. Turtle and egg poaching is also of concern and has led WWF to create programs specifically designed to minimize poaching. In addition, BIOFUND notes the following threats for PSEPA:The area is also known for its 5 mining concessions along the coast and within PSEPA boundaries, the best known is the Kenmare Resources Moma Titanium Minerals Mine in the city of Moma. 


An infographic by WWF provides a good overview of the area and the mining concession boundaries. Given the competing blue economy pressures in the PSEPA from the prawn industry to extractives to tourism coordination among the many regulatory agencies is critical if conservation objectives are to be met. In addition, attention should be placed on the marine spatial plan currently under development and expected to be completed in 2021, to ensure coordinated and harmonious future development of blue economy activities in the PSEPA.


The Port of Angoche is a primary fishing port and there are a variety of heavy mining activities, such as the titanium sands operation in Moma and numerous other mining operations throughout the PSEPA. The area has more than 340,000 inhabitants, including approximately 40,000 artisanal fishers. While the islands are largely uninhabited, the coast is home to communities that depend on the PSEPA’s natural resources for food, shelter and livelihoods. While the mining operations contribute to the local economy, they also place considerable strain on coastal tourism operations and nesting turtle populations along the coastline. 


When the authors visited Pembane Fishing Lodge in November 2020, the mining operator had erected a security gate with a guard that controlled access in and out of the lodge, to the surprise of the lodge owners. Visitors now need to drive through the mining operations to arrive at the lodge. Regarding sustainable marine and coastal tourism, significant challenges remain. As of November 2020, only one luxury lodge was planned (and under construction), the highend Banyan Tree plans to open in late 2021; no recreational dive operators exist in the PSEPA.54 Fire Island Conservation is gearing up via the Pembane Lodge to support conservation on and around Ilha Fogo and also to offer diving and fishing operations with support of the Marine Megafauna Foundation.

WWF mentioned that Fresh Company appears to be building a lodge on the Islands of Ilha Jovo, but currently there are no operating lodges. Through the years there have been numerous attempts to develop lodges on some of the islands, but operational, financial and logistical issues have thwarted those efforts.56 The islands also lack cell phone and internet services, so exploring expansion of Vodacom and Google’s Loon service (highaltitude balloons that provide mobile network coverage should be considered.islands, in the northern part of PSEPA, one needs to fly to Nampula and then drive 3.5 hours to Angoche.


There is an airstrip that was recently rehabilitated with help from Fire Island Conservation, but there are no commercial flights to Pembane. So, accessing the PSEPA is challenging, time consuming and expensive, which severely constrains the ability to tap into market systems to finance marine conservation activities.

Help the viability of the sustainable marine and coastal tourism space, such as around access, development of facilities (hotels and dive operations), species identification and awareness raising through photography and guides, would help drive much needed revenues into the region. Without growth of the tourism sector activities in the PSEPA, it will likely remain heavily dependent on international donor and NGO support.


Despite the historic, current and planned support from several international donors and partners supporting PSEPA including the WWF-CARE Alliance, EU-Biofund, Conservation International and World Bank the relative size, geographical remoteness, and magnitude of biodiversity in Mozambique. Working in partnership with the National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), BIOFUND uses interest from their $1 million endowment from Conservation International and grant support from the European Union to program community awareness activities in the PSEPA. In 2017, the European Union (EU) launched the € 10 million (US $11.29 million) PROMOVE Biodiversity program.


Implemented by BIOFUND through 2023, the EU supports the PSEPA and adjacent coastal areas on conservation management, research and strengthening community activities. Under this support, one long-term adviser is planned to support PSEPA in park management beginning in 2021.