Science for conservation in Mozambique’s MPAs (2003-2013) Marcos A M Pereira, MSc. Raquel S Fernandes, BSc

Science for conservation in

Mozambique’s MPAs (2003-2013)

Marcos A M Pereira, MSc. Raquel S Fernandes, BSc.

Background

• Coastline of ca. 2470 km

• Vital socio-economic and cultural asset

• Five MPAs cover ca. 6800 km2 of marine ecosystems

MPA Year Area (km2) Legislation

Quirimbas NP 2002Marine ~1,430

Total 7,506Decree 14/2002 of 6 June

MPAs in Mozambique

POMPR

(Inhaca)

2009

(1965)678

43/2009 of 21 August

(DL 2620 of 25 July 1965)

Primeiras and Segundas EPA

2012Marine ~ 5,000

Total 10,409Decree 42/2012 of 12 December

Bazaruto Archipelago NP

1971(2001)

Marine ~1,295Total 1,430

DL 46/71 of 25 MayDecree 39/2001 of 27 November

Cabo de São Sebastião TPZ

2003Marine ~230Total 439,3

Decree 18/2003 of 29 April

• Q1: What is the current internal capacity of Mozambican MPAs to conduct research & monitoring?

• Q2: What has been published in the primary literature in the past 10 years (2003-2013)?

• Q3: To what degree is this science been used to support conservation?

Questions…

MPA Management plan Research and monitoring plan?

Resident scientist?

Quirimbas NP (2004-2008)Currently being

draftedYes No

Internal Capacity for R&M


Currently being drafted

No No

POPMR(Inhaca)

2011-2015(2010-2014)

Currently being drafted

No


(1999-2003) (2008-2012)

(No)(Yes) No


No No No

MPANr papers

(N=73)Biology/Ecology

Taxonomy/Biodiversity

Miscellaneous

Quirimbas NP 10 30% 10% 60%


1 100%


9 30% 40% 30%


1 100%

POPMR 64 72% 8% 20%

Scientific Output (2003-2013)

Not a single paper on fisheries / resource use!

MPANr papers(N = 73)

First AuthorForeigner

Mozambican Co-authors

First AuthorNational

QNP 10 9 2 1


1 1


9 9 5


1 1

POPMR 64 49 13 15

Total 57 16 16

Scientific Output (2003-2013)

Scientific input on Man. Plans

MPAManagement

Plan

Relevant papers cited (primary

literature)

Relevant technical

publications

QNP 2004-2008 None 37.5%


N/A N/A N/A


2008-2012 None* (7) None* (40.3%)


N/A N/A N/A

POPMR(Inhaca)

2011-2015(2010-2014)

1(3)

53.8%(41.5%)

* Cited on separate Specialist Reports

• Q1: Currently, all five MPAs have no internal capacity to conduct research. Some monitoring activities are carried out, but these data are not subjected to proper analysis, publication and use thereafter;

• Q2: 73 papers have been published in the primary literature. The great majority on ecological/biological issues at the POPMR (Inhaca Is.) by foreigner scientists;

• Q3: Management plans are hardly based on published studies and local monitoring programs

Q & A…

i) Active promotion of research within MPAs

From the Quirimbas NP management plan 2004-2008):

“All scientific research within the Park will be subject to a permit issued by the Park Management Council, at their discretion”

“A fee will be charged for research within the Park. Different charges will be imposed for Mozambican nationals and non-Mozambican nationals”

Recommendations

Recommendations

ii) Need for baseline studies!

Fundamental to establish “where we are” and “what do we have”

Important to establish conservation priorities

Base reference for future monitoring

Recommendations

iii) Research and monitoring plans

Roadmaps for research activities within MPAs

Important to assess effectiveness and performance

Recommendations

iv) Funding! Funding! Funding!

Research in general (and biodiversity and conservation in particular) is “out of fashion” for international donors

National funding mechanisms (FNI, FUNAB): marine

sciences & fisheries not a priority!

Obrigado!

Scarus rubroviolaceous ♀ Creche, Ponta do Ouro (2014). © R. Fernandes

Documents

Science for conservation in Mozambique’s MPAs (2003-2013) Marcos A M Pereira, MSc. Raquel S Fernandes, BSc