Fungu Yasini Island

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Fungu Yasini Island
Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve, Fungu Yasini.JPG
Fungu Yasini reef
Tanzania relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
location in Tanzania
LocationFlag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania,
Dar es Salaam Region,
Kinondoni District
Nearest city Dar es Salaam
Coordinates 6°35′39″S39°13′26″E / 6.59417°S 39.22389°E / -6.59417; 39.22389
Area22.90km²
Established1975
Governing body Marine Parks & Reserves Authority (Tanzania)
Website DMRS

Fungu Yasini Island (Kisiwa cha Fungu Yasini, in Swahili) is a protected, uninhabited island under the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserve (DMRS) with the IUCN category II located within Kinondoni District of Dar es Salaam Region in Tanzania. The island reserve measures around 22.90km2 with most it underwater as a reef. South of the island is Mbudya Island. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Overview

This marine reserve is distinct because it is an island-like sand bank that can only be viewed at low tide and has no vegetation. On the west and north sides of the lower intertidal zone, there is a lot of sea grass mixed in with patches of coral. Lower intertidal regions in the southeast are rocky. [4]

This marine reserve stands out because it is an island-like sand bank with no vegetation that can only be seen at low tide. It is located in the northern part of Dar es Salaam, immediately following Mbudya Island Marine Reserve. Sea grass and coral patchy areas coexist on the west and north edges of the lower intertidal zone. Southeasterly lower intertidal areas are rocky. [5]

More than 35% of the island's coral cover is found in two sites, one on the southwest waters of less than 10 m (108,320 m2) and the other on the deeper waters (462,765 m2), where coral reefs can be found. Similar to other DMRS islands, Thalassia hemprichii and Thallasodentron ciliatum are the two most common species of sea grass. Sea cucumbers, octopuses, sea urchins, giant clams, rock crabs, tigger cowries, starfish, cushion stars, and nudibranchs are some of the creatures that can be found in the intertidal flats. [6]

See also

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Kinondoni District, officially the Kinondoni Municipal Council is one of five districts of the Dar es Salaam Region of Tanzania. The district is bordered to the north by Bagamoyo District and Kibaha of Pwani Region, to the east by the Indian Ocean, the west by Ubungo District, and to the south by the Ilala District. The district covers an area of 269.5 km2 (104.1 sq mi). The district is comparable in size to the land area of Malta. The administrative seat is Ndugumbi. The district is home to one of the best preserved Medieval Swahili settlements, Kunduchi Ruins, headquarters for the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (BAKWATA) and Makumbusho Village Museum. Considered the cultural center of Dar es Salaam, Kinondoni District is also regarded the birthplace of the musical genre of Singeli. In addition the district is one of two districts in Dar es Salaam that has a National Historic Site, namely the Kunduchi Ruins.The 2012 National Tanzania Census states the population for Kinondoni as 1,775,049.

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References

  1. "Marine Parks and Marine Reserves of Tanzania" . Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  2. Levine, Arielle. (2010). Local Responses to Marine Conservation in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Journal of International Wildlife Law and Policy. July–December 2004. 183-202. 10.1080/13880290490883241
  3. "Fungu Yasini Island - African City Guide - Dar es Salaam". africancityguide.com. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  4. "Fungu Yasini Island Marine Reserve" . Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  5. "Fungu Yasini Island Marine Reserve" . Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  6. "Fungu Yasini Island Marine Reserve" . Retrieved 2020-09-07.