Tanga Marine Park & Reserves

Tanga Coleacanth Marine Park (TACMP)

The Park covers an area of about 552 km² of which 85 km² are terrestrial and 467 km² are aquatic. It includes the bays of Tanga City and Mwambani, Tongoni estuary, and three small islands of Toten, Yambe and Karange. This park is internationally renowned for the presence and high abundance of the coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae. The rare ‘living fossil’ fish were re-discovered in the coastal waters off Tanzania in 2003. Since then has been sighted frequently within the TACMP area. Today, many of the park’s residents see the coelacanth as an icon for their rich coastal resources and opportunities for eco-tourism.

Marine life consists of endangered species like dugong, which was sighted in 2006 off Kigombe, sea turtles, tropical fish species and migratory water birds. The park is focusing intensely on Coelacanth protection as a key component for achieving its species and biodiversity conservation objective.

• Toten Island
• Yambe Island
• Karange Island

Tanga Marine Reserves (TMRS)

Tanga Marine Reserves System (TMRS) is a group of marine reserves in the Tanga Region with covers total of 56.30 km². The Tanga Marine Reserves have every species of mangrove found in Tanzania. Rhizophora mucronata predominated in wave-protected locations, while Sonneratia alba is the main tree seaward. The Islands serve as significant sea bird breeding areas, Maziwe Island Marine Reserve have sand beach which is ideal for tourists.

• Kwale Island Marine Reserve
• Kirui Island Marine Reserve
• Ulenge Island Marine Reserve
• Mwewe Island Marine Reserve
• Maziwe Island Marine Reserve / Maziwe Sand Bar