MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES

MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES

A marine park is a park consisting of an area of sea (or lake) sometimes protected for recreational use, but more often set aside to preserve a specific habitat and ensure the ecosystem is sustained for the organisms that exist there. Most marine parks are designated by governments, and organized like 'watery' national parks.

The largest marine park used to be the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in Australia, at 350,000 km² until 2010, when the United Kingdom announced the opening of the Chagos Marine Park or Chagos Archipelago. Although for many uses it is sufficient to designate the boundaries of the marine park and to inform commercial fishing boats and other maritime enterprises, some parks have gone to additional effort to make their wonders accessible to visitors.

These can range from glass-bottomed boats and small submarines, to windowed undersea tubes. In New Zealand a marine reserve is an area which has a higher degree of legal protection than marine parks for conservation purposes.

In New South Wales, there are planned marine parks which will stretch along the coastline of the entire state.

Marine National Parks and Reserves in Kenya

 

 MOMBASA.

 KISITE-MPUNGUTI.

 KIUNGA.

 MALINDI.

 TANA DELTA.

 WATAMU

Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve is a marine park and national reserve in Mombasa, Kenya. The park is 10 km² (2,500 acres) while the reserve is 200 km² (49,400 acres).[1] It is located on the coast near tourist areas and is a popular beach and snorkeling and diving location. It is the most heavily visited of Kenya's marine parks. It has coral reefs in its waters. It was established as a Marine Park in 1986, and encloses part of the lagoon, back reef and reef crest habitats of the Bamburi-Nyali fringing reef. The Marine park is characterized by warm tropical conditions varying at the surface between 25°C and 31°C during the year, stable salinity regimes and moderate nutrient levels.

The marine park is located in Mombasa town along the Kenyan coast. The park comprises of the sea waters, mangroves, sea grasses, and sea weeds. The park is home to variety of marine life e.g. Crabs, Sea urchins, Sea cucumbers, Sea Stars/Starfish, Sea Jellies. Other spectacular attractions include the sand beach and coral gardens. The park is a popular snorkeling and diving location.

Wildlife Code

• Respect the privacy of the wildlife, this is their habitat.

• Beware of the animals, they are wild and can be unpredictable.

•Don't crowd the animals or make sudden noises or movements.

• Don't feed the animals, it upsets their diet and leads to human dependence.

• Keep quiet, noise disturbs the wildlife and may antagonize your fellow visitors.

• Stay in your vehicle at all times, except at designated picnic or walking areas.

• Keep below the maximum speed limit (40 kph/25 mph).

• Never drive off-road, this severely damages the habitat.

• When viewing wildlife keep to a minimum distance of 20 meters and pull to the side of the road so as to allow others to pass.

• Leave no litter and never leave fires unattended or discard burning objects.

• Respect the cultural heritage of Kenya, never take pictures of the local people or their habitat without asking their permission, respect the cultural traditions of Kenya and always dress with decorum.

• Stay over or leave before dusk, visitors must vacate the Park between 6.00 p.m. - 6.00 a.m. unless they are camping overnight. Night game driving is not allowed.

Marine Wildlife Code

• Check local weather and sea conditions before entering the marine park.

•Some marine life is dangerous; do not touch anything under water.

•Do not damage or remove corals. It is a living organism which takes many years to form and is host to many rare and endangered species.

• Do not remove shells, starfish or any other sea – flora or fauna. Removal is illegal, seriously disrupts the eco system and some marine life is dangerous. The areas outside the parks and reserves is threatened by excessive shell collection. Empty shells provide homes for hermit crabs and some fish.

• Do not buy shells and other marine animal products as souvenirs as this encourages further plundering of the reefs and beaches.

• Never dispose of litter on the beach or in the sea. It is illegal and environmentally unfriendly. Marine turtles can confuse clear plastic waste with jelly fish and will die if they eat it.

• Hand – feeding of fish is discouraged. It disrupts normal feeding patterns.

• Hook and line fishing is allowed in the Marine Reserves but prohibited in Marine Parks. Spear guns are not permitted for use in either.

• Environmentally friendly activities such as snorkelling and diving are encouraged, under the supervision of the Kenya Wildlife Service wardens, who work closely with tour operators and hoteliers to ensure strict adherence to this code of practice.

• Avoid restaurants that serve undersized crabs and lobsters as this contributes to their rapid demise.

• Support traditional coastal livelihoods and do not give money to children on the beach, as this can encourage them to stay away from school.

• Respect the cultural heritage of Kenya, never take pictures of the local people or their habitat without asking their permission, respect the cultural traditions of Kenya and always dress with decorum. Mombasa Marine Reserve ACCESS

• Sited in the city of Mombasa the park can be reached by road from the city centre, and then connected by boat from the Mombasa Beach

• Roads: From Nairobi mainly use the Nairobi- Mombasa Highway

• Air: It is a 45 minute flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Mombasa SIZE / LOCATION

• Over 200 km2

• Mombasa District, Coast province CLIMATE

• The Coast is humid with mean annual temperatures ranging from 22-34 C. rainfall is about 500mm pa. The climatic conditions are hot and humid. SAFARI CARD REQUIRED?

• At present the park does not operate on smart card system. Entry is by cash only (KSH or US$) MAJOR ATTRACTIONS:

• Beach

• Coral gardens MARINE LIFE

• Prolific marine life includes crabs, corals, sea urchins, jellyfish, sea stars, and sea cucumbers. Different varieties of coral species comprise of Acropora), Turbinaria and Porites BIRDS

• A variety of off shore birds can be seen. WHERE TO STAY

• There is Currently no accommodation in the reserve. Visitors can stay in Mombasa town which offers various accommodation options. There are lots of luxurious, comfortable and culturally rich hotels and lodges to choose from in close proximity to the Mombasa Marine National Park. ACTIVITY OPTIONS • Wind surfing • Snorkeling

• Water skiing • Sunbathing

• Diving WHAT TO TAKE WITH YOU • Footwear, e.g. sandals or flip flops (to protect your feet from the reef) • T-shirts (to protect your body from sunburn)

• Snorkel, mask, fins, all of which are available for hire

• Camera, hat, sunscreen, insect repellant • Guide books

• Plenty of drinking water

• A friend(s)

Park Contacts

 Phone: +254 41-2312744/5 +254 57-2500136 Email: msamarine@kws.go.ke Postal Address: Mombasa Marine National Park Box 82144 Mombasa