CRTR CENTER OF EXCELLENCE: EAST AFRICA
University of Dar Es Salaam, Institute of Marine Science (IMS), Zanzibar, Tanzania
The Institute of Marine Science (IMS) in Zanzibar is one of four Coral Reef Targeted Research & Capacity Building for Management (CRTR) Program Centers of Excellence throughout the world. Each Center aims to build the necessary scientific information for management and policy so that coral reef ecosystems, under threat from climate change and multiple human stresses, can be sustained for current and future generations. The Centers of Excellence also act as important bases for the CRTR Working Groups.
The Institute of Marine Science is the focus for coral reef research in Eastern Africa and is collaborating with CRTR Working Groups to build regional ability. It is achieving this through graduate scholarships and training workshops which strengthen expertise in areas such as remote sensing analysis and modelling techniques, coral bleaching, restoration and remediation, and general coral reef and fish ecology.
The Institute of Marine Science is located in the heart of Stone Town, Zanzibar. The facility is equipped with laboratory facilities and office space and houses over 25 faculty and staff.
Local Research Priorities
- Investigations on coral settlement, recruitment, restoration and associated environmental factors
- Mapping and characterization of coral reefs and associated threats
- Information dissemination on coral reefs and indigenous knowledge
Reef and Research Information
The Centre of Excellence provides support to three postgraduate students and has hosted researchers from the Bleaching, Remote Sensing and Restoration & Remediation Working Groups. The BWG assisted in assessing coral reef health in selected sites on the west and east coast of Unguja Island. A GIS and Remote Sensing training workshop, supported by recently acquired Ikonos Satellite images for Unguja, has helped to update existing coral reef distribution maps and to describe in greater detail the health status of reefs.
The CoE has assisted KICAMP and Kinondoni Municipal Council in mapping the location and status of coastal resources on the Dar es Salaam coast as well as developing a searchable database for use in decision making.
The CoE reviewed coral reef monitoring programs in Tanzania, combining recent CRTR project data on coral health with that of previous coral reef monitoring, presenting this review at the Tanzania Marine Forum held in Dar es Salaam.