title: Intertidal zone management in the Western Indian Ocean: assessing current status and future possibilities using expert opinions.
abstract: This expert opinion study examined the current status of the intertidal zone in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) and ranked and discussed future management approaches. Information was gathered from scientists, practitioners, and managers active in the WIO region through a questionnaire and a workshop. The experts stated that the productive intertidal environment is highly valuable for reasons such as recreation, erosion protection, and provision of edible invertebrates and fish. Several anthropogenic pressures were identified, including pollution, harbor activities, overexploitation, and climate change. The experts considered the WIO intertidal zone as generally understudied, undermanaged, and with poor or no monitoring. The most important management strategies according to the expert opinions are to develop and involve local people in integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), to increase knowledge on species-environment relationships, and to develop awareness campaigns and education programs. To improve coastal environmental management and conservation, we argue that the intertidal zone should be treated as one organizational management unit within the larger framework of ICZM.
authors.affiliation: Environmental and Marine Biology, Åbo Akademi University, 20520, Åbo, Finland, linanordlund@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lina Mtwana
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Nordlund
authors.forename: Maricela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de la Torre-Castro
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Erlandsson
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Conand
authors.forename: Nyawira
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muthiga
authors.forename: Narriman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jiddawi
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gullström
mesh_terms: D057231:Climate Change; D003142:Communication; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D019156:Indian Ocean; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects