Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park
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| Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park | |
|---|---|
| (TCMP) | |
  TCMP in Tanzania | |
| Location |  Tanzania,Tanga Region, Mkinga District Tanga District Pangani District |
| Nearest city | Tanga |
| Coordinates | 5°01′54″S 39°11′40″E / 5.03167°S 39.19444°E |
| Area | 552 km2 (213 sq mi) |
| Established | 2010 |
| Governing body | Marine Parks & Reserves Authority (Tanzania) |
| Website | Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park |
The Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park (TCMP) (Hifahdi ya taifa Bahari ya Sikilikanti wa Tanga, in Swahili) is a marine park of Tanzania, with the IUCN category II located within Tanga Region of Tanzania.[1] The Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park (TACMP), which covers the entirety of Tanga City and all Coastal Areas from Tanga Bay and South of the Fishing Village of Kigombe, was Gazetted in 2009 by the Government of Tanzania (GoT) in recognition of the value of the Coelacanths and for their protection (see Map 1). Coelacanths have been spotted on Tanga Island, Mwambani Bay, Yambe Island, and Karange Island, all of which are part of the Park.[2]
The park is famous for its conservation of the coelacanth. Island under the marine park include Yambe Island, Karange Island and Toten Island. Shoals in the marine park include Fungu Niule and Fungu Tongone. Offshore from Tanga Bay to Kigombe. [3]
Geography
The marine park is around 552 square kilometers, of which 85 square kilometers is terrestrial, covering small coastal parts of Pangani District, Muheza District and Tanga District. The park extends along the coast from 100 km starting from the estuary of the Pangani River to the bay of Tanga City. The Marine parks covers the Islands of Toten, Yambe and Karange Islands. The marine park is home to the famous Coelacanth. The park is also a sanctuary for the African Dugong and Green sea turtle.[4]