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Intertidal Zone Management in the Western Indian Ocean: Assessing Current Status and Future Possibilities Using Expert Opinions

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Abstract

This expert opinion study examined the current status of the intertidal zone in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) and ranked and discussed future management approaches. Information was gathered from scientists, practitioners, and managers active in the WIO region through a questionnaire and a workshop. The experts stated that the productive intertidal environment is highly valuable for reasons such as recreation, erosion protection, and provision of edible invertebrates and fish. Several anthropogenic pressures were identified, including pollution, harbor activities, overexploitation, and climate change. The experts considered the WIO intertidal zone as generally understudied, undermanaged, and with poor or no monitoring. The most important management strategies according to the expert opinions are to develop and involve local people in integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), to increase knowledge on species–environment relationships, and to develop awareness campaigns and education programs. To improve coastal environmental management and conservation, we argue that the intertidal zone should be treated as one organizational management unit within the larger framework of ICZM.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the experts working in the Western Indian Ocean who responded to the questionnaire and participated in the “workshop”. We would like to acknowledge the following people for their valuable inputs to this paper: S. R. Mwaitega, T. M. Daw, J. Okello, N. Kautsky, A. Muthumbi, C. Halling, A. J. Mmochi, H. M. Hajj, O. Henriksson, D. Murage, T. Lavitra, S. Benbow, T. L. Jörgensen, S. Muando, E. Wood, J. Rubens, L. Scott, M. E. Asplund, S. C. Masuka, L. Rasmusson, A. W. Mwandya, H. Eriksson, D. S. Mukaka, U. Kloiber, M. Igulu, A. MacDonald, J. Larsson, C. M. Kihia, A. Knudby, D. J. Msangameno, N. Wambiji, F. Lanshammar, E. Fondo, Y. Tibirçá, P. Scarlet, J. Okondo, T. Andrew, R. Milne, S. Brumme, C. Rogito, and J. Nyamora. Additionally, there are several anonymous experts whom we would like to thank. Further, we would like to acknowledge WIOMSA for the possibility to conduct a workshop/side event at the 7th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium (24–29 October 2012) held in Mombasa, Kenya. L.M.N. acknowledges financial support from the Western Indian Ocean Marine Association (WIOMSA), under Grant No. MASMA/books/04/12, and conference support, as well as the Åbo Academy Jubilee foundation, Finland. M.T.C. acknowledges the financial support from Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) and VR (Swedish Research Council) 344-2011-544. M. G. acknowledges the financial support from Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency).

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Author notes

  1. Lina Mtwana Nordlund

    Present address: WIO CARE, P.O. Box 4199, Zanzibar, Tanzania

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520, Åbo, Finland

    Lina Mtwana Nordlund

  2. Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    Lina Mtwana Nordlund & Martin Gullström

  3. Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    Maricela de la Torre-Castro

  4. Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 106 91, Stockholm, Sweden

    Maricela de la Torre-Castro

  5. Vattenmyndigheten Västerhavets distrikt, Länsstyrelsen Västra Götaland, 403 40, Göteborg, Sweden

    Johan Erlandsson

  6. Ecomar Laboratory, La Reunion University, 97715, Saint Denis, France

    Chantal Conand

  7. MNHN, 43 rue Cuvier, 75005, Paris, France

    Chantal Conand

  8. Wildlife Conservation Society, P.O. Box 99470, Mombasa, 80107, Kenya

    Nyawira Muthiga

  9. Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Dar Es Salaam, P.O. Box 668, Zanzibar, Tanzania

    Narriman Jiddawi

Authors
  1. Lina Mtwana Nordlund
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Correspondence to Lina Mtwana Nordlund.

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Nordlund, L.M., de la Torre-Castro, M., Erlandsson, J. et al. Intertidal Zone Management in the Western Indian Ocean: Assessing Current Status and Future Possibilities Using Expert Opinions. AMBIO 43, 1006–1019 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-013-0465-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-013-0465-8

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