An Investigation of the Ornamental Fish Trade in Mozambique. Phase I: Information macrodiagnostic and project appraisal

Abstract

The extensive coral reefs along the coastline of Mozambique are a valuable national resource. They provide food and income for a large proportion of the country’s coastal communities and have a great potential for generating substantial economic growth within the tourism sector. The government of Mozambique has recognised the importance of coral reefs and has initiated a number of actions aimed at the sustainable management and conservation of this resource under its National Coral Reef Management Programme (NCRMP). The current two year moratorium on the trade in ornamental fish and live corals is one such initiative and it was important that the opportunity to formulate a framework for the sustainable management of this trade be acted upon quickly. It is in direct response to this government initiative that the current work was undertaken.