INDIAN OCEAN: Ecotourism Hopes Build as Africans Seek Ancient Fish

Ecotourism Hopes Build as Africans Seek Ancient Fish 

By Muhingo Rweyemamu 

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, July 28, 2003 (ENS) - Tanzanian scientists have 
joined other scientists from southern African countries to undertake a joint 
research project on an ancient fish, the coelacanth, which was thought to 
have gone extinct some 65 million years ago. Its rediscovery has sparked 
scientific interest that the African countries hope will translate into 
visitors interested in learning more about the prehistoric coelacanth. 

This fish was rediscovered off the mouth of Chumna River at East London, 
South Africa in December 1938. Since then, more than 180 coelacanths have 
been found in five different countries. The most recent discovery was in 
Malindi, Kenya in 2001. 

Six scientists from South Africa, two from Mozambique, one from Comoros, and 
three from Tanzania are taking part in a five year project to discover the 
habitats of the coelacanth in the southern and eastern African waters of the 
Indian Ocean. Although Madagascar is a partner country, it has no scientists 
on board, at least for the time being. 


Coelacanth discovered at East London, South Africa (Photo courtesy Tanzania 
Marine Park Authority)
The exploration team aboard the South African research vessel "Algoa" arrived 
at the port of Dar es Salaam from South Africa on Sunday. The research 
mission, known as the Joint Coelacanth Research and Marine Conservation 
Program, is financed by the partner countries. South Africa is funding the 
majority of the activities including the provision of the vessel and senior 
scientists. 
Program director Dr. A.J. Ribbink of South Africa said in Dar es Salaam that 
rediscovery of the coelacanth completely changed scientists' beliefs about 
the ancient fish, and opened up the mystery of how this fish survived while 
many other ancient vertebrates, such as dinosaurs failed. 

“This is not a study of silly old fossil fish, but promoting the coelacanth 
as an icon for conservation of marine resources - an aquatic panda,” says Dr. 
Ribbink, who also works with the South African Institute for Aquatic 
Biodiversity. 

Dr. Ribbink says program aims to conserve the coelacanth by using its high 
profile as an icon around which to bring the expertise of the region 
together. Scientists will work on those issues of importance, and by sharing 
expertise they intend to develop a regional capacity. 

He believes the program will enable partner states to share data and 
information on the coelacanth and other fish populations, opportunities and 
facilities. “It will enable us to build capacity and sustainability.” 

Speaking at the reception of the scientific team, Director of Tanzania 
Fisheries Institute Professor Phillip Bwathondi said the discovery of this 
living coelacanth is of great scientific interest because structures that 
were difficult to interpret or understand in the fossil can now be 
investigated. 

“This can also help to test various hypotheses about the relationship of the 
coelacanth and other fishes and thus provide us with opportunity to study the 
origin and evolution of land living vertebrates," he said. 

"The discovery may also add up to the tourist attraction that can be used for 
economical development of the particular nation,” said Professor Bwathondi. 

The Tanzanian Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Zakia Meghji visted 
the "Algoa" at Dar es Salaam port. She expressed optimism that because the 
coelacanth was found in neighboring Kenya, chances are that it might also 
occur in Tanzanian waters. 


Tanzanian Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Zakia Meghji (Photo 
courtesy U.S. Embassy in Tanzania)
“It is quite possible that our fishermen might have fished it. But because of 
poor communication, this information might have skipped the attention of our 
scientists,” said Meghji. 
The minister also said that Tanzania has a lot to gain in such a regional 
research program. “This program is the brainchild of our scientists from 
South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Comoro and Madagascar. The initiatives 
are consistent with our policy on regional collaboration. We insist on 
forging partnerships in matters of scientific research and things of that 
nature,” Meghi said. 

The South African High Commissioner to Tanzania Theresa Solomon said she 
believes the western Indian Ocean and coastal east Africa have a rich natural 
heritage that is uniquely "ours." 

“Biologically, she said, "this is symbolized by the coelacanth, but we also 
have outstanding oceanographic features, remarkable underwater canyons, 
ecotourism potential and a food basket for millions,” said the high 
commissioner. 

Mike Roberts, a chief scientist of the team who also works with the African 
Coelacanth Ecosystem Program in South Africa, said that in addition to the 
1938rediscovery at East London, South Africa, more than 180 coelacanth fishes 
have been found - in Comoro in 1952, Mozambique in 1991, Toliara in 
Madagascar in 1994, Sodwana in South ,Africa in 2000 and Malindi in Kenya in 
2001. 

Roberts says that for 400 million years, the coelacanth has never changed its 
shape. “This is why we are more interested. The physical features of human 
beings from the first emergence of homosapiens have changed dramatically, but 
this has never happened to coelacanth." 

One of the 12 scientists aboard "Algoa" is a Tanzanian, Dr. N. Nyandwi from 
the Institute of Marine Science at the University of Dar es Salaam, says the 
aim of the mission is to investigate the environment of the ocean - its 
biodiversity, water chemistry and the quality of the water. 


Coelancanths emerge from caves in the Comoros. (Photo courtesy Tanzania 
Marine Park Authority)
On the search for the coelacanth in Tanzania, he says the focus will be on 
the region from Latham Island to Mtwara and from Zanzibar to Pemba. 
“This is because these two regions have similar topography to the areas that 
are known to harbor these fossil fishes. Latham Islam was of great interest 
due to its fishing and avian potential and significance," said Dr. Nyandwi. 

"The Lindi and Mtwara Region could also harbor the fossil fish, since the 
Comoros, the islands assumed to be their breeding ground, are not far from 
this region,” he says. Lindi and Mtwara are southern regions of Tanzania 
about 700 kilometers (435 miles) from Dar es Salaam. 

Currently, the program is funded by the South African government together 
with German technical cooperation and support and by contributions from 
different local and international companies in South Africa. So far the South 
African government has invested about US$900,000 in the project. 

Tanzania Natural Resources Minister Meghj said each participating country is 
required to finance its own national activities. Tanzania has financed the 
initial launch of the country’s program. 

What is known about coelacanths to date shows that they can live for about 80 
years. Normally females are larger than males and bear live young, as many as 
26 juveniles at a time. They are capable of short bursts of speed, but are 
typically quite slow. 

Coelacanths normally feed on other fishes and squids, and their only 
predators are human and large sharks. They live in caves during the day and 
hunt at night. Their blue bodies with white speckles provide excellent 
camouflage against the cave surfaces covered with white sponges and oyster 
shells. 

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2003. All Rights Reserved.