Contamination of industrial waste is generally not a problem since the level of this

development is currently localized, although measures should be in place to prevent possible

damage. Pollution of maritime and maritime terminals is also minimal at present, despite a
large proportion of oil exports from the Gulf region that crosses the coastal seas of East Africa.
Oil spills have already occurred in the vicinity of Mombasa and Maputo, damaging nearby
mangroves and beaches. The threat of new spills is likely to increase as economies develop and
industries expand, demanding increased supplies of oil.
Coastal tourism and Industrial development:-
Coastal tourism contributes significantly to local economies in the region. Tourism depends to a
large extent on the coastal zone, not only for beach sites for development, but also for food
and as a recreational area for tourists. Although it is an important source of income, coastal
tourism often raises a number of environmental concerns. Activities of tourists can directly
affect the marine ecosystem, through boat damage and anchoring to coral reefs, and indirectly
by increasing demand for cleared land for development, collection of shells for souvenirs,
shellfish and mangrove and lime of coral for construction. The extraction of live corals, baked in
ovens to produce lime, has also contributed to the degradation of coastal habitat.
Excess amount of sediments:-

The many large rivers along the coastline of the ecoregion transport vital nutrients and
sediments that are important to plankton, mangroves and seaweed beds. These rivers connect
the coast with the interior of the African continent; Hence, the activities of hundreds of
kilometers upstream can influence the coastal zone. During periods of heavy flooding, the
tremendous loads of sediment washed into the sea can overwhelm nearby coral reefs that
require clean water for their existence.
Climate change and its serious impacts:-
Changes in coasts caused by human activity have exacerbated the effects of climate change.
Sea level is increasing to about 1 millimeter per year, which, under normal circumstances,
habitats can adapt, but the loss of coastal coral reefs and coastal mangroves increases the
potential damage caused by rising levels of the sea and coastal erosion. The result can be
catastrophic. Already the loss of coastal lands due to erosion is a growing concern for urbanizes
and farmers.
Threats to marine animals:-

Marine mammals were hunted to the edge of extinction in the Indian Ocean before anyone
realized that they were declining to such a low number that their very existence was
threatened. The most recent intensive collection of certain animals has caused local extinction
in some areas of the coast.
Sharks and rays are extremely slow breeders, producing only a few juveniles each year. They
are also being fished beyond their natural recovery rates, with the result that currently in the
shallow waters of most of the region, sharks are rarely observed. Some larger species, known to
have been abundant a hundred years ago, are now so rare that there is a very real possibility
that they may disappear completely from the region.
Possible disappearance of key species:-
Trends indicate that in the next 50 years, dugongs and sea turtles will no longer be part of
the marine diversity of East Africa. Dugongs used to be common in estuarine areas where
they fed on sea grasses. Today, perhaps only a few hundred are believed throughout the
region. In many areas, sea turtles continue to be trapped and killed by meat. Five of the
world's seven species of sea turtles, all of which are recognized as endangered, nest on the
beaches of the region. In many places, their eggs are extracted from their nesting sites,
which are also vulnerable to the destruction of beach hotel construction, sand mining and
beach erosion.
Overfishing of local fisheries:-
Fishing is a vital work activity for hundreds of thousands of families on the coast. At least as
many people are again involved in post-harvest marketing and processing activities.
Industry products provide the main protein component of the diet of most coastal
populations and many more people in the interior. In Tanzania, for example, the estimated
average seafood consumption per person is higher than the combined consumption of meat
and poultry. For the entire region, at least 500 species of fish account for most of the catch,
producing approximately 200,000 tones each year. Most of the catches come from
fishermen equipped with simple and handcrafted crafts such as hook and line, hand lances,
woven fishing traps and various types of nets. Mozambique's total catches are
approximately 115,000 tones, and between 90 and 95% are caught by some 80,000
artisanal fishermen. There are also other more industrialized fishing methods, including
motorized vessels equipped with trawls drawn by electric winches.
Destructive fishing practices:-
In recent decades, destructive fishing methods, such as the use of dynamite and small
mesh nets, have destroyed beds of seagrass and coral reefs. These practices continue in
many places despite being illegal in all countries. Preliminary research along the coast of
Kenya and Tanzania indicates that human activities like these have reduced catches of
coral reef fish by 30-40%. Large proportions of the by-catch of shrimp trawlers are juvenile
fish. The loss of these immature people threatens future fishery resources. Coastal
fisheries, some of the only land areas from which fish catches are increasing, are also
prone to looting, often by foreign industrial fleets.
Demand for timber:-
Mangrove wood is extremely hard and resistant to insects. The collection of mangroves for
wood and fuel, such as basic fishing techniques, has been practiced for thousands of years,
and poles continue to be exported from the region. The reckless cut of the mangroves has
cleared large areas of previously productive forest. Mangrove forests are also the first to be
cleaned for the construction of salt flats from where most of the much needed sea salt in the
region is produced. The additional pressure from tourism developers, coastal construction,
farmers and the increasing need for wood for fuel further encourages large tracts of primary
mangrove forest to be cut indiscriminately with little or no replanting.
Pressure on other marine species:-
Seaweed has recently become an important economic resource in Tanzania, where it is
bred for export and processing into food additives. Algae are grown in lines attached to
wood stakes through the bottom of the sea of shallow lagoons. Other methods of growing
marine organisms, known as mariculture, include shrimp and fish farming in coastal ponds,
usually in mangrove areas. Currently there are not many mariculture farms in the region.
However, investors and developers have begun to persuade governments in the region of
the financial benefits of such practices, which, if not developed sensibly, can adversely
affect not only the forests but also many fisheries and people who depend on the
productivity of the habitat.
Use in medical research:-
Recent medical research on the fight against various forms of cancer and other diseases
affecting humans have begun to focus on the sea for possible cures derived from animals
such as sponges, soft corals and tunicates. This type of research, known as bio-
prospecting, has begun to explore the rich coral reefs of East Africa, where these animals
are found in abundance.
The impacts of beach pollution:-
Contaminated beach water sickens swimmers and hurts coastal economies. Diseases associated
with pollution. Beach water includes stomach flu, rash, conjunctivitis, respiratory infections,
meningitis and hepatitis. In addition to the health effects of contaminated beach water, there
can also be profound financial impacts.

Health Risk:-
Contaminated water may contain organisms that cause disease called pathogens. The most
common types of pathogens: bacteria, viruses and protozoa are those associated with Human
and animal waste. For example, giardiasis is caused by the protozoan Giardia lambia, leader of
North America reported intestinal parasite. Swimmers in contaminated sewage the water can
contract any disease that is contagious by fecal contact, including stomach flu, respiratory
infection and ear and Skin infections Most diseases related to swimming last from few days to
several weeks, but in some cases pathogens may cause severe, long-term, or even death.
Sensitive populations such as children, the elderly or those with a weakened immune system
are particularly at risk for long-term effects. There is usually a delay of several days to two
weeks between the contact with contaminated water and symptoms, and Most people who get
sick from swimming are not aware of the link. Bathers can even get sick without entering
Water.