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Individual membership: This membership is open to nationals of the countries of the region with an interest in the mangroves and associated ecosystems research, conservation and management, and who is fulfilling the conditions under this Constitution.
Institutional membership: It is open to any institution, company, agency, corporation or organization in the region involved in activities furthering the aims of the Network and whose objectives are not in conflict with the aims of the Network.
Fellow membership: It is a membership to be awarded biennially to scientists by the Network in recognition of their outstanding work or significant contribution to research, conservation and management of mangroves in the region.
Associate membership: It is open to individuals outside the region with an interest in mangroves and associated ecosystems research, conservation and management.
Honorary membership: This is a membership conferred biennially upon individuals who have rendered outstanding contribution to the conservation, management and sustainable development of mangroves in the region.
Corporate membership: This membership is open to any company, agency, corporation or other business which is committed towards promoting the aims of the Network.
Student membership: This membership is open to individuals who are nationals of any of the member states of the region with active registration as students at any academic institution.
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The total mangrove coverage in Kenya is 61,271 ha. (Gok, 2017) with Lamu County accounting for the largest cover (37,350 ha), followed by Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River and Mombasa counties. Mangrove forests in Kenya face a number of threats arising from both anthropogenic and natural factors. Between 1985 and 2009, the country lost about 20% of its mangrove cover; translating to about 450 ha of mangrove cover loss and degradation per year. Root causes of mangrove loss and transformations have been identified as; increased population, weak governance, inadequate awareness of the true value of mangrove ecosystems, high levels of poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods, and inadequate management prescriptions. Mangrove losses in turn have negative impacts on fisheries, shoreline stability, and resource sustainability
Kenya launched its ten-year mangrove management plan in 2017. Its objective is to sustain the supply of mangrove goods and services for local and national development. The Plan is prepared in compliance with Forests Act (2005), and provides a road map towards sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems in Kenya. It embraces collaborative and participatory approaches in natural resource governance that leads to ownership of the initiatives by the stakeholders. It takes cognizance of other existing policies relating to land and land use, agriculture, fisheries, energy, environment, mining, wildlife, and water. Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM)
For effective management of mangroves in the country, the Mangrove Plan proposed six programmes including; forest conservation and utilization; fisheries development and management; community; tourism development; research and education; and human resource and operations. These programmes prescribe measures for rehabilitation, conservation, and sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems in Kenya. Implementations of this Plan is led by Kenya Forest Service (KFS); but also include other key actors, such as Kenya Wildlife Service, State Department of Fisheries, Research Institutions, Academia and Community Forest Associations through a specially constituted National Mangrove Advisory Committee.
The mangrove coverage figure is still adopted from official government reports. However, there have been recent developments in the assessment of mangrove area coverage, supported by USAID, which will be adopted as the new national figure by the Government of Tanzania. Initial reports indicate that the area is 107,000 hectares. The main drivers of change are multiple anthropogenic factors, varying by location along the 800 km of coastline, which is entirely covered by mangrove forest ecosystems. These factors include paddy farming in the Rufiji Delta, salt mining, house construction in urban areas, the construction of access roads to beaches, the establishment of national development projects like fishing ports in some areas, unregulated harvesting of mangrove products, and natural catastrophes like sand deposition.
The country is currently managing 107,000 hectares of mangroves through the nationally mandated agency, the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS), which has decentralized operational authority to District Forest Conservators (DFCs). Several mangrove initiatives have been deployed, including the development of the National Blue Economy Policy of 2023, the National Carbon Trade Regulations of 2023, the ongoing development of the National Mangrove Development Strategy of 2023, and the National Forest Policy Implementation Strategy of 2021-2030, which advocates for wider stakeholder engagement in forest management and conservation (including mangroves). Additionally, there is ongoing development of a National Mangrove Stakeholders Platform, and advocacy efforts are underway to chair the Nairobi Convention during 2024-2026. Alternative income-generating activities have been developed as per Government Notices No. 85 and 59 of 2020 and 2021, respectively, which allow the establishment of eco-tourism ventures in Forest Reserves (including mangroves). Involvement of local communities is strongly advocated for all prospective applicants for Carbon Emission Reduction Trade in mangrove forest reserves. There are ongoing initiatives to develop Collaborative Forest Management Committees (COFMAC) in some districts.
Founder of the Comoros National Herbarium and co-founder of the Geomatics Environment Biodiversity consultancy. National consultant and member of the Ecosystemic Accounting of Natural Capital (ENCA) Comoros team. National consultant on the delimitation of terrestrial protected areas. Promoter of the activity “I do my own vegetable garden ” and ‘’urban reforestation’’ in Comoros. Author of the floristic inventory, the vegetation mapping in Ngazidja Island and the study of mangroves in Comoros archipelago.
The mangroves of Mozambique occupy
an estimated area of 3054 km2. Mangroves
grow in protected coasts along the coast throughout the country. More than 50%
of the mangroves of the country are concentrated in central Mozambique in the
provinces of Sofala and Zambezia. In Mozambique, mangroves are threatened by a number
of factors, among which wood extraction, urban expansion, conversion to salt
pans and natural factors i.e., extreme weather events.
Mozambique approved its first mangrove management strategy 2020-2024, which is about to be revised. The strategy identifies a number of actions, including restoring degraded areas, developing local management plans and involving the community in management programs. Moreover, the government made a commitment to restore 5000 ha of mangrove by 2022.
Mangroves are managed by the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MIMAIP). However, a number of other authors are also involved: provincial delegations of the MIMAIP at the provincial level, SDAE and SDPI at District level, Municipal councils in cities and ANAC (National Administration of Conservation Areas) in conservation areas. Moreover, local communities are involved in mangrove management, particularly in most remote areas.
In 2019, Madagascar’s total mangrove area was estimated at 390,853 hectares (Ministère de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable, 2022). This area constitutes about 1.43% of the national forest cover. The mangrove coverage includes 131,872 hectares of dense mangroves, 122,339 hectares of degraded dense mangroves, and 136,639 hectares of scattered mangroves. Madagascar hosts eight mangrove species: Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus granatum, Lumnitzera racemosa, and Heritiera littoralis. The primary issue in Madagascar is the decline in mangrove areas. According to Shapiro (2019), the country experienced an annual loss of 1% to 1.52% over 30 years (from 1995 to 2018). The main causes of this decline are largely human-related, including the production of mangrove wood, illegal logging, land conversion for agriculture, shrimp farming, salt production, and hotel construction, as well as pollution, especially in urban areas. Additionally, climate change directly impacts the health of mangroves.
Madagascar has developed a National Strategy for mangrove management with a vision to manage, enhance, and restore mangroves as an emblematic national heritage. The strategy aims to provide ecosystem services for mitigating and adapting to climate change, drive the local economy, and sustainably preserve wildlife species and marine biodiversity. The national goal is to restore degraded sites and maintain the forest cover of 390,000 hectares of mangroves over the next ten years. The strategy is based on five (5) main guidelines: restoring the multifunctionality of mangroves; developing research and improving knowledge management on mangroves; enhancing the value of mangrove natural resources as natural capital; increased funding and development of partnerships to implement the action plan and improved institutional and local governance.
The Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries hold the main jurisdiction over mangroves. However, other ministries are also involved, including those responsible for land planning and tourism. Various NGOs, private sector entities, and civil society organizations play key roles in mangrove management and restoration. However, the local communities are the primary stakeholders in these efforts.
Mangrove coverage in Mauritius is 181 ha (Republic of Mauritius, 2016). There are two species namely Rhizophora mucronata and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza.
Owing to a drastic decline before the 1990s, the Ministry responsible for Fisheries launched a Mangrove Propagation Programme in 1995 with the aim of restoring and rehabilitating denuded areas. Since the late 20th century mangrove forests have been legally protected in Mauritius, leading the way for the first mangrove restoration projects. As part of the restoration programme, the Ministry of Fisheries carried out sensitization campaigns to increase awareness and educate Owing to a drastic decline before the 1990s, the Ministry responsible for Fisheries launched a Mangrove Propagation Programme in 1995 with the aim of restoring and rehabilitating denuded areas. Since the late 20th century mangrove forests have been legally protected in Mauritius, leading the way for the first mangrove restoration projects. As part of the restoration programme, the Ministry of Fisheries carried out sensitization campaigns to increase awareness and educate fishermen, coastal dwellers and the public at large about the importance of this unique ecosystem. Many communities led or NGO led initiatives have since then shown interest in mangrove plantation and restoration and actions have had a positive impact on the mangrove cover area.
Mangrove stakeholders who are contributing to activities and projects to enhance the conservation and management of mangroves are: Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, NGOs (e.g., Association pour le Development Durable, Reef Conservation, Eco-Sud, Sov la Natir etc.), local inhabitants, communities, Fishermen’s associations, private sector (hotels and banks). Research is conducted by different tertiary institutions including the University of Mauritius.
The mangroves are under anthropic pressure, with a surface area of 150 ha on the 3 islands. The most common pressures are deforestation and the dumping of household waste. 10% are naturally intact on all 3 Islands.
At national level, a campaign was launched in December 2022 by the Minister for the Environment, and projects such as GEF’s Green and Blue Impact, Ocean 5 and others are building capacity and raising awareness, but only in localities included in the marine protected areas, i.e., 16% of the mangroves on the Island of Ngazidja, 50% on the Island of Ndzuani and 100% on the Island of Moili. At community level, all sites with a local association plan to develop their mangroves as ecotourism sites.
The main players are the National Herbarium at the University of the Comoros, the Environment department, Marine protected areas and certain village associations
Somalia’s mangroves belong to the East African coast. In Somalia, mangroves are found in several main tidal estuaries along the Gulf of Aden and leading into the Indian Ocean. These locations include the area near the Saada Din Island around Zeyla’, Saba Wanak on the Gulf of Aden, and along this 50 km stretch of coastline where about 30 watercourses come close to or enter the sea, adding fresh water. Additionally, the extensive lagoon at Khoor Shoora, located to the east of Berbera, is another mangrove location. The mangrove spots continue to the east of Karin, and from Mait to Ras Kalwein, with a few more patches from Bosaso to Qandala, Alula, and Hurdiyo to Ras Hafuun. In the far south, close to the Kenyan border, the mangroves occur on the coast, along the chain of a dozen offshore islands of Somalia. The three major estuaries on the mainland include Bushbush, Aanole, and Lag-Badanaa, ranging from 30 to 45 km inland. Species of mangroves found in Somalia/Somaliland are mainly: Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops somalensis, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Sonneratia alba, and Xylocarpus obovatus.
There is limited community action to protect and conserve mangrove forests. Global SDG-14 considers life below water and aquatic marine species, emphasizing the need for their protection and conservation.
There are many actors interested
in field conservation, including numerous NGOs, CBOs, and other international
organizations willing to engage in field activities. However, due to financial
challenges, there have been no interventions such as educational awareness and
community engagement.
Mangrove forests are the rarest forest type in South Africa. Six mangrove tree species are only found at one forest (Kosi Bay – KwaZulu Natal (KZN), border of Mozambique), with Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gynmorrhiza. Mangrove forests are the rarest forest type in South Africa. Six mangrove tree species are only found at one forest (Kosi Bay – KwaZulu Natal (KZN), border of Mozambique), with Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gynmorrhiza and Rhizophora mucronata occurring down the coastline to East London in the Eastern Cape (EC). The area of mangrove forest is increasing in South Africa both at the latitudinal limits and in specific estuaries such as Mhlathuze Estuary in KZN, a predominately open estuary with a large delta area. The area of mangroves is approximately 1672 ha. A large area of mangroves sits within the Simangalisa Wetland Park (Kosi Bay, St Lucia and Mfolozi) and is considered as protected. Harbours also host significant forests (Richards Bay and Durban Bay) and are not formally protected from harbour activities. There is a great diversity of disturbances along the eastern coast of South Africa where mangroves occur. These differ between KZN and the EC, where industrial, urbanisation, solid and chemical waste and eutrophication are prevalent in KZN. Cattle browsing, subsistence related harvesting and solid waste are prevalent in the Eastern Cape.
Mangrove conservation and management initiatives are limited in South Africa, where the emphasis is on managing the abiotic and biotic characteristics of estuaries and its habitats.
Local, provincial and national government are concerned with the management of estuaries not directly of mangroves. There may be some community level activities in the Eastern Cape related to beekeeping and harvesting of honey.
The mangroves ecosystem is the second largest forest type in Zanzibar after the coral rag forest, which account to about 8% of the forest cover. The total mangrove area of Zanzibar has been reported to change over time indicating the declining trend of the ecosystem; from 18,000 ha in (1949-1950) up to 15 ,600 (ha) in 2020. In 2013 the ecosystem was reported to cover a total of 16,488 ha of mangrove (11,214 ha in Pemba and 5,274 ha in Unguja) (Zanzibar Wood Biomass Survey of 2013). Currently data based on remote sensing survey (Trettin, 2023) indicated that Zanzibar has a total mangrove cover of 13,550 ha of which 4,220 ha are found in Unguja and 9,300 ha located in Pemba Island. The major driving forces for this change is the illegal cutting activities by villagers surrounding the ecosystems who have high dependence to the ecosystems for various uses to meet their basic household needs. Other pressures to the ecosystems include development of tourism industries ports construction along the costs. The ecosystem faces the colossal challenges of being degraded continuously. Consequently, the large area of the existing mangrove ecosystem is covered and dominated by small sized plants indicating decline of quality of the ecosystem. Despite the ongoing changes the mangroves ecosystem of Zanzibar consists about 10 mangroves species, which includes, Rhizophora mucronata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Avicenia marina, Sonneratia alba, Xylocarpus mucronata, Xyloarpus moluccensis, Heritiera littoralis, Lumnitrzera racemosa and Pemphis acidula
All mangroves in Zanzibar are considered as protected and the central government through the department of Forestry is the sole organs for management and conservation of the ecosystem. A number of mangrove management and conservation initiatives are going on including planting of mangrove, piloting carbon trading, crab fattening projects, beekeeping activities, etc. However, there is no clear well developed and approved Mangrove management plan for Zanzibar Mangroves to provide directives on what should be done where/whom and when. This poses major challenges on achieving sustainable use of this important ecosystem and its associated resources in Zanzibar.
In Zanzibar, all mangrove ecosystems are legally considered as forest reserves. It is a part of blue economy sector which is among the priority sector for national economic development in the island. This has consequently attracted various actors and institutions to engage on management and conservation of this vital ecosystem. Among them includes Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock, Ministry of Blue Economy and fisheries and First Vice President Office. Indeed, a number of NGOs, civil society organizations and private sectors are playing significant roles in the management of mangrove ecosystem. Local communities who are greatly depending to the ecosystems are involved in the management through various arrangement to contribute on conservation and better use of the ecosystem aspect
