The Northern mozambique channel

Abstract

The Northern Mozambique Channel is a treasure of unique oceanography, rich coral reefs, migrating tuna, and whales, bounded by the Comoros, France, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles, and Tanzania. Its living resources are relatively intact and of great importance for food and livelihood security and the developing economies of its surrounding countries. It holds newly discovered natural gas fields of global importance that could fuel unprecedented development pressure, and its 10 million coastal population could grow an order of magnitude by the turn of the century. With these immense pressures against the backdrop of rapid climate change, effective governance across different sectors and among countries will be essential to maintain the region’s natural capital and deliver on the promise of sustainable development and “blue economy” subscribed by the surrounding countries. This chapter outlines some of the novel ocean management and governance approaches that may provide the best chance to deliver on a prosperous future.