A study of the coastal fish assemblages in the Mafia Island Marine Park (just off the Rufiji River delta on the south east coast of the Tanzanian strip, located 120 km south of Dar Es Salaam) was conducted from July 2007 to September 2007. The principle aim of the research was to establish how the distribution and abundance of three commercially important fish species; Serrinidae, Lethrinidae and Lutjandae (groupers, emperors and snappers) have been affected by the introduction of a zoning scheme and protection status. Under-water visual census using SCUBA were carried out in three zones of the Marine Park (two Specified-use Zones & one Core Zone). Thirty minute observations were made at slack-water at 10-24.3m depth ranges. A comparison and analysis of species composition, water depth and water temperature within the three zones was performed using ANOVA (analysis-of-variance). The studies suggest no correlation between commercial fish distribution and abundance and a degree of protection, but do point out complex social, biological and physical system that might effect overall distribution and abundance. Recommendations were made to routinely report fishing intensity, habitat characteristics, and effectiveness of enforcement and also make efforts to observe the intensity of exploitation in areas adjacent to and outside the protection zones, with ideal studies including multiple control locations, descriptions of long-term trends, with the inclusion of detailed descriptions of the system before reserve establishment.
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