Tofo (49172)
Mozambique, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1b
Year of last assessment: 2020
National site name: Tofo
Central coordinates: Latitude: -23.8340, Longitude: 35.6560
System: marine
Area of KBA (km2): 341.90675
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: The Inhambane Province is located along the coast of Southern Mozambique. Tofo, the proposed site, consists of a 341,907 km2 stretch of coast. The main ecological feature there is the complex system of parabolic coastal dunes with the associated vegetation and barrier lakes. It extends north into the Bay of Inhambane, which is characterised by shallow seagrass meadows and mangrove stands under strong tidal influence. On the oceanic front, exposed to strong wave action and the Mozambique Current, are series of patch reefs from fossilized sand dunes origin, now colonized by a thin veneer of hermatypic corals (Motta et al. 2002). The reef system extends about 40 km of coast, 500 m to 15 km offshore with depth varying between 22 and 32 m. With a sub-tropical climate regime, water temperature varies seasonally from a high of 30°C during summer months (Dec−Mar) to 16°C during the winter (Jul−Sep) (Rohner et al. 2013). Tofo is a small and relatively undeveloped town dependent on tourism, mainly around diving, surfing and beaches. It is famous amongst tourists as a marine megafauna hotspot, where whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, humpback whales and sea turtles can be sighted year-round for most. It is one of few places globally where year-round populations of whale shark, Rhincodon typus and manta rays, Manta birostris and M. alfredi occur (Tibiriçá et al., 2011). Since many of the reefs offshore of Tofo serve as year-round cleaning stations for elasmobranchs, most notably both species of manta rays, this stretch of coast is the most popular diving location in Mozambique, receiving the highest number of recreational divers per year countrywide (Saoirse et al, 2019).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. The proposed site meets KBA criterion for at least four trigger species based aggregations. This site is one of the rare ones worldwide where both vulnerable species of manta rays M. birostris and M. alfredi occur in year-round populations. Tofo is home to the world’s second largest documented M. alfredi population with over 1,000 identified individuals and also represents one of the most significant aggregation sites for M. birostris in the Indian Ocean (MantaMatcher, 2016) and has been identified as a critical reproductive habitat for this species (Marshall & Bennett, 2010; Marshall et al. 2011). Nonetheless, these species are not under any formal protection in Mozambique and also suffer from pressures in Tofo and throughout their area of occupancy, which in the last decade has resulted in a drastic population decline of up to 88% (Pierce et al., 2010; Rohner et al., 2013). Similarly, the endangered whale shark Rhincodon typus is known to form large aggregations year-round (Pierce et al. 2010) , but the number of sightings has also suffered a dramatic decrease in the recent past, with up to 79% reduction (Rohner et al., 2013). Furthermore, the zebra shark Stegostoma tigrinum (EN) also aggregates in significant numbers year-round. There is thus an urgent need to recognize the ecological importance of the area in order to establish and implement effective conservation of these globally important populations. In addition, Tofo harbours a rich marine biodiversity from reef corals, reef fish and invertebrates to migrant humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae (LC) and occasional visitors such as the great white shark Carcharodon carcharias (VU) and the orca Orcinus orca (DD). Among a variety of sharks, such as the whitetip reef shark, the bull shark or tiger sharks, it is worth noting the occurrence of the critically endangered wedgefish Rhynchobatus djiddensis. As important as the area is for humpback whales who migrate annually to these waters to breed and calf, Tofo is used by many cetaceans, which has recently warranted the designation of Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) which emcompasses Tofo. The beach of Tofo are naturally an ideal habitat for marine turtle nesting of the five species that occur in these waters, two species, mainly the loggerhead turtle Carreta carreta (VU) still nest, but in lower numbers due to anthropogenic disturbances (Williams 2017). Considering all above reasons, it is recommended that the proposed site be designated as a Key Biodiversity Area in order to support the effort of increasing formal protection and conservation of the rich and globally important biodiversity of Tofo.
Delineation rationale: The boundary delineation was based on known sightings throughout the proposed KBA. The marine megafauna is regularly reported all year around throughout the area between Barra beach to Zavora beach which are the most popular diving locations in Mozambique (Pottie et al, 2019). The southernmost boundary of this site is Guinjata stretching out to 100 m contour including the Coconut Bay. These limits were then drawn from Coconut Bay towards Barra Ponta which is the northern boundary. The limits were delineated to encompass all the reefs known in this area as they are believed to be the species suitable habitat.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 99 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Run-off | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing |