Mozambique National Report - Phase 1: Integrated Problem Analysis

The ecosystems in Mozambique are relatively well preserved compared to other countries in the region, probably due to the fact that the country is less developed. On the other hand the potential for degradation of those sites is higher and would increase in the future in the view of the current development. There was not a clear-cut separation between Hot spot and sensitive areas. The following sites were classified as Hot spots for they presented a higher degree of degradation in relation to others within the country: Maputo Bay, Sofala Bank and Nacala Bay and Mozambique Island. The following four sites were classified as sensitive areas: Bazaruto Archipelago, Quirimbas Archipelago, Inhaca and Matutuine Area and Marromeu and Zambezi Delta. The four sites were selected for the scooping exercise, considering their ecological significance.

Issues

A total of 10 issues related to these sites and to the overall country was identified. The issues 12 and 13 “Loss of ecosystems or ecotones” and “Modification of ecosystems and ecotones”, respectively, were combined into one issue “Loss and modification of ecosystems and ecotones”. The issues number 1 “Reduction in stream flow” was changed to “Modification of stream flow”, to reflect both the draught and flood situations. The prioritisation exercise resulted in selection of four main issues as follows: (i) Modification of stream flow (abnormal river runoff, foods, draughts), (ii) Loss and modification of ecosystems and ecotones (erosion, depletion of mangroves, destruction of corals and sea grass beds), (iii) Over-exploitation of fisheries resources (shrimp resources, demersal fisheries), and (iv) Destructive fishing practices (use of mosquito nets, dynamites, fish poisoning). The four issues were considered in the assessment of impacts. Table 1 presents the hot spots, sensitive areas and the issues of major concern in Mozambique.