Mafia Island Marine Park General Management Plan.

This Mafia Island Marine Park General Management Plan is the revised version of the Plan developed for the period 2000-2010 and includes new issues, lessons learned from previous experiences, and changes in the strategic objectives led by further information gained from monitoring and evaluation. The main goals of the document are (i) to identify the key elements that make the significance of the park; (ii) to articulate management threats to the marine resources and outline strategies to minimize these threats; (iii) to provide a framework for working in partnership with local communities to develop sustainable resource-use and to diversify income generating activities; (iv) to provide a framework for working with local government authorities, as well as commercial and tourist activities managers to ensure that environment[ntal guidelines are observed; (v) provide a basis for the development of further subsidiary legislation and operational plans.
The Plan adopts a collaborative approach through the involvement of communities and other stakeholders in the planning phases as well as the implementation process to avoid conflicts between user groups or compromise the conservation goal of the park. The main targets set out by the Plan to achieve the Vision of marine protected areas established in Tanzania to become a joy and pride for all are (i) the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem processes; (ii) the promotion of sustainable resource use and rehabilitation of damaged ecosystems; (iii) the involvement of residents in the development and management of the park, ensuring them priority access to resources and economic opportunities; (iv) the rational development of underutilized natural resources; (v) the promotion of environmental education and information dissemination; (vi) the facilitation of research and monitoring of resources conditions and uses; (vii) the conservation of historical monuments, ruins, and other cultural resources; (viii) the facilitation of appropriate eco-tourism development.