Quirimbas National Park

Quirimbas National Park
IUCN category II (national park)

Medjumbe Lighthouse
Map showing the location of Quirimbas National Park

Location in Mozambique

Location  Mozambique
Coordinates 12°06′17″S 40°25′53″E / 12.10462°S 40.431404°E / -12.10462; 40.431404Coordinates: 12°06′17″S 40°25′53″E / 12.10462°S 40.431404°E / -12.10462; 40.431404
Area 1,430 square kilometres (550 sq mi)
Established May 25, 1971 (1971-05-25)

The Quirimbas National Park (QNP) is a protected area in the Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique, encompassing the southern part of the Quirimbas Islands.

Location

The park was established in June 2002. It stretches for 110 kilometres (68 mi) along the northeast coast of Mozambique, and contains the southernmost 11 of the Quirimbas islands. The park has a tropical climate with a rainy season from December to April and a drier but cooler season from May to September. Daytime temperatures vary from around 25 °C (77 °F) to 35 °C (95 °F) depending on the time of year. Water temperatures are from 24 °C (75 °F) to 27 °C (81 °F).[1] Accommodations for tourists range from basic beach-front cottages to luxurious villas on the uninhabited Medjumbe Island.[2] Islands include Ibo Island, Mefunvo Island, Metemo Island, Quirimba Island, Quisiva island and Tavari Island.

Ecology

The park protects 750,639 hectares (1,854,870 acres) of coastal forest, mangroves and coral reefs.[3] The region was isolated for decades during the Mozambican Civil War. On land, there are healthy populations of elephants, lions, leopards, crocodiles and even wild dog.[4] Habitats include mountains, forests, woodland, savannah, mangroves, beaches, coral reefs and sea grass beds.[5] The park contains a rich variety of marine life including sea turtles, dugongs and many species of fish.[3] Three hundred and seventy-five species of fish have been identified, including threatened pipefish and seahorses.[1]

Conservation

The World Wide Fund for Nature supports a project that attempts to ensure that local communities, park authorities and tour operators share management responsibilities and share benefits from the park. Objectives include protection, conservation and where needed restoration of the land and marine environment, conservation of marine species and their habitat and promoting eco-friendly ways of making a living among the traditional inhabitants of the park. The project includes a fishery management program.[3]

A 2010 WWF review found that the main problems concerned lack of money in the sanctuaries, lack of incentives for rangers, and lack of follow-up by the park management when ranger report violations. The rangers recommended increasing the number of community rangers, providing incentives or salaries for these rangers, and running more environmental education programs. On a positive note, improvements in species quantity, size and diversity were recorded.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Quirimbas Archipelago Islands". All Africa Safaris. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  2. ↑ "The Quirimbas Archipelago & the Quirimbas National Park". Kaskazini Lda. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  3. 1 2 3 "Quirimbas National Park, Mozambique". WWF. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  4. ↑ "Quirimbas National Park". Guludo Beach Lodge. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  5. ↑ "Quirimbas National Park". Go2Africa. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
  6. ↑ "WWF updates data in the Quirimbas National Park Sanctuaries". WWF. Retrieved 2011-10-17.
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