Menai Bay

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Menai Bay
Ghuba la Menai (Swahili)
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Satellite view of Menai Bay of Zanzibar
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Menai Bay
Location in Tanzania
LocationFlag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania,
Mjini Magharibi Region,
Tanga City Council
Group Zanzibar Channel
Coordinates 6°22′12″S39°20′43″E / 6.37000°S 39.34528°E / -6.37000; 39.34528
Type Bay
Ocean/sea sources Indian Ocean
DesignationProtected waterbody
Max. length15 km (9.3 mi)
Max. width10 km (6.2 mi)
Islands Kwale Island, Zanzibar, Pamunda Island, Sume Island, Miwi Island, Niamembe Island & Pungume Island
SettlementsFumba, Unguja Ukuu


Menai Bay (Ghuba la Menai, in Swahili) is a bay in Mkinga District of Mjini Magharibi Region of Tanzania. The bay is geographically part of the Zanzibar Archipelago.

Contents

Geography

It is a 10 km wide bay on the Zanzibar Channel of the Western Indian Ocean. [1] The long coastline of Menai Bay has nineteen villages, with a total population of around 17,000. The villages are within the Unguja South Region of Zanzibar. The Menai Bay Conservation Area (MBCA) is a marine reserve protecting the habitats and biota of the bay area. [2]

Mangrove degradation

The mangroves in Menai Bay that are closest to settlements like Unguja Ukuu, Pete, and Uzi are losing the most of their natural state. Therefore, the western portion of Menai has more mangrove deterioration than the eastern part. Though there are currently legal and regulatory structures in place to slow the deterioration of mangroves, the rate of degradation in Zanzibar is concerning. B. gymnorrhiza, R. mucronata, and C. tagal are the most impacted mangrove species. [3]

Dolphins

There are eight species of delphinids in the vicinity of Zanzibar; however, the only two that live year-round in the Menai Bay Conservation Area (MBCA), which is situated off the southwest coast of Unguja Island, are the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) and the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin (Sousa plumbea). The MBCA's two dolphin species are both under peril from boat-based tourism and bycatch from fisheries. This fragility is highlighted by the low estimated population sizes of both species, 35 S. plumbea and 136 T. aduncus. However, there isn't any management in place for these species at the moment in terms of fishing or tourism. There has never been any prior study done in this field that looked into differences in distribution, occurrence, or behaviour. Furthermore, our knowledge of the effects and limitations that anthropogenic and environmental factors have on the distribution of the species is limited. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Tanzania</span>

Tanzania comprises many lakes, national parks, and Africa's highest point, Mount Kilimanjaro. Northeast Tanzania is mountainous, while the central area is part of a large plateau covered in grasslands. The country also contains the southern portion of Lake Victoria on its northern border with Uganda and Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zanzibar</span> Autonomous region of Tanzania

Zanzibar is an insular semi-autonomous region which united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. It is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, 25–50 km (16–31 mi) off the coast of the African mainland, and consists of many small islands and two large ones: Unguja and Pemba Island. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on the island of Unguja. Its historic centre, Stone Town, is a World Heritage Site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin</span> Species of mammal

The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin is a species of bottlenose dolphin. This dolphin grows to 2.6 m (8.5 ft) long, and weighs up to 230 kg (510 lb). It lives in the waters around India, northern Australia, South China, the Red Sea, and the eastern coast of Africa. Its back is dark grey and its belly is lighter grey or nearly white with grey spots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Humpback dolphin</span> Genus of mammals

Humpback dolphins are members of the genus Sousa. These dolphins are characterized by the conspicuous humps and elongated dorsal fins found on the backs of adults of the species. Humpback dolphins inhabit shallow nearshore waters along coastlines across Australia, Africa, and Asia. Their preference for these habitats exposes them to various human activities such as fisheries entanglement, boat traffic, pollution, and habitat loss. Despite these risks, their nearshore presence facilitates easy observation from land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Ocean humpback dolphin</span> Species of mammal

The Indian Ocean humpback dolphin is a member of the Delphinidae family occupying coastal areas ranging from Southern Africa to Western Indochina. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin was formerly included within the same species, but a 2014 study revealed them to be a separate species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zanzibar red colobus</span> Species of Old World monkey

The Zanzibar red colobus is a species of red colobus monkey endemic to Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar Archipelago, off the coast of Tanzania. It is also known as Kirk's red colobus after Sir John Kirk, the British Resident of Zanzibar who first brought it to the attention of zoological science. It is now classified as an endangered species and in the mid-1990s was adopted as the flagship species for conservation in Zanzibar. The population is still decreasing, and conservationists are attempting to work with the local government to devise a proper, effective strategy to protect the population and habitat. Challenges include the species' habitat, which is limited to the archipelago. The species has been reclassified three times; it was previously in the genus Colobus, then in the genus Procolobus, and later in the genus Piliocolobus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unguja North Region</span> Region of Tanzania

Unguja North Region, Zanzibar North Region or North Zanzibar Region is one of the 31 regions of Tanzania. The region covers an area of 407 km2 (157 sq mi). The region is comparable in size to the combined land area of the nation state of Andorra. and the administrative region is located entirely on the island of Zanzibar. Unguja North Region is bordered on three sides to the north by Indian Ocean, southeast by Unguja South Region and southwest by Mjini Magharibi Region. The regional capital is the town of Mkokotoni. The region has the fifth highest HDI in the country, making one of the most developed regions in the country. According to the 2012 census, the region has a total population of 187, 455. Zanzibar North is divided into two districts, Kaskazini A and Kaskazini B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unguja South Region</span> Region of Tanzania

Unguja South Region, Zanzibar South Region or South Zanzibar Region is one of the 31 regions of Tanzania. The region covers an area of 854 km2 (330 sq mi). The region is comparable in size to the combined land area of the nation state of Kiribati. and the administrative region is located entirely on the island of Zanzibar. Unguja South Region is bordered on three sides to the south by Indian Ocean, northeast by Unguja North Region and northwest by Mjini Magharibi Region. The regional capital is the town of Koani. Besides being known for its Spinner dolphin populations, the region is also home to the oldest mosque in East Africa, the Kizimkazi Mosque and also historic Makunduchi town. The region has the fourth highest HDI in the country, making one of the most developed regions in the country. According to the 2022 census, the region has a total population of 195,873.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mjini Magharibi Region</span> Region of Tanzania

Mjini Magharibi Region, Zanzibar Urban West Region or West Zanzibar Region is one of the 31 regions of Tanzania. The region covers an area of 230 km2 (89 sq mi). The region is located entirely on the island of Zanzibar and bordered to the west by the Indian Ocean, north by Unguja North Region and the east by Unguja South Region. The region is home to one of the seven World Heritage Sites located in Tanzania, namely; Stonetown of Zanzibar. The regional capital is Zanzibar City. The region is the most developed region with the highest human development index in Tanzania at 0.718. According to the 2012 census, the region has a total population of 593,678.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chumbe Island</span> Private Island in Mjini Magharibi Region of Zanzibar, Tanzania

Chumbe Island is a private island in the Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania, off the coast of Mjini District. It is situated in the Zanzibar Channel. The island is known for its ecological innovation and exceptional coral reefs. The Chumbe Lighthouse is also located on the island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unguja</span> Tanzanian island of the Zanzibar Archipelago

Unguja is the largest and most populated island of the Zanzibar archipelago, in Tanzania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal forests of eastern Africa</span> Tropical moist forest region in Africa

The Coastal forests of eastern Africa, also known as the East African Coastal Forests or Zanzibar–Inhambane forests, is a tropical moist forest region along the east coast of Africa. The region was designated a biodiversity hotspot by Conservation International.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park</span> National park in Tanzania

The Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is a 50 km2 (19 sq mi) national park in Tanzania located on the island of Zanzibar. It is the only national park in Zanzibar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Zanzibar</span> Flora and fauna of Zanzibar

The wildlife of Zanzibar consists of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna in the archipelago of Zanzibar, an autonomous region of Tanzania. Its floral vegetation is categorized among the coastal forests of eastern Africa as the Southern Zanzibar-Inhambane coastal forest mosaic and the Northern Zanzibar-Inhambane coastal forest mosaic. Its faunal species are mostly small animals, birds, and butterflies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menai Bay Conservation Area</span>

The Menai Bay Conservation Area (MBCA) is located in Menai Bay, Zanzibar Tanzania. At 470 square kilometres (180 sq mi), it is Zanzibar's largest marine protected area. It was officially established as a conservation area in August 1997 in the traditional fishing area, known as Unguja Island, covering the tropical marine environment comprising extensive coral reefs, tropical fish, sea grasses, and mangrove forests. In addition to controlling illegal fishing, MBCA's alternative initiatives have included bee keeping, mangrove replanting, tree nurseries and tourism. The management of the MBCA falls upon the Fisheries Department and the bay's local villages. It is rated by the IUCN as Category VI Managed Resource Protected Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kusini District</span> District of Unguja South Region, Tanzania

Kusini District is one of two administrative districts of Unguja South Region of Tanzania. The district has a water border to the east, south and west by the Indian Ocean. Kati District borders the district to the north. The district covers an area of 379.5 km2 (146.5 sq mi). The district is comparable in size to the land area of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The administrative seat is the historic town of Makunduchi.The district is home to the oldest mosque in use in East Africa, the historic Kizimkazi Mosque, also a National Historic Site. The district is also frequently visited by Spinner dolphins, which is one of the biggest tourism attractions in the district. According to the 2022 census, the district has a total population of 63,156.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwale Island, Zanzibar</span> Protected island in Mjini Magharibi Region of Zanziabr, Tanzania

Kwale Island is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. The island is included in the marine conservation area of Menai Bay.

Miwi Island is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. One of the Menai Bay islands, made of limestone, the island is a part of the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area.

Niamembe Island is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. One of the Menai Bay islands, the island is a part of the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area and is composed of limestone.

Pungume Island is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. The largest of the Menai Bay islands, the island is composed of limestone and is a part of the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area. The island was close to the location of the 2012 capsized ship MV Sagit.

References

  1. GoogleEarth
  2. WWF: story on Menai Bay Conservation Area
  3. Mohamed, Mohamed Khalfan, Elhadi Adam, and Colbert M. Jackson. "The spatial and temporal distribution of mangrove forest cover from 1973 to 2020 in Chwaka Bay and Menai Bay, Zanzibar." Applied Sciences 13.13 (2023): 7962.
  4. Temple, Andrew J., et al. "Spatial and temporal variations in the occurrence and foraging activity of coastal dolphins in Menai Bay, Zanzibar, Tanzania." PloS one 11.3 (2016): e0148995.