Community based marine curio trade in Unguja island-Zanzibar

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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The marine curio trade is important economic activities for most of coastal people. It involves collection and selling of marine living resources. This study was aiming at determining the contribution of curio trade to the livelihood of the coastal people of Unguja Island by identifying the most common curio species collected, the abundances, there sizes, determining the prices and the contribution of curio trade. The study sites was Nungwi, Kiwengwa and Stone town and covered both collectors and curio sellers. Field survey, direct field observation and formal interview were used in gathering vital information on the aspect of the marine curio trade. The result showed that almost all marine species collected at Nungwi and Kiwengwa were similar. About 18 species of marine shells were found to be collected to both Kiwengwa and Nungwi. In Nungwi about 71% of the curio collectors were adult female and 29% were male, but in Kiwengwa major portion of curio collectors were under 18 years consisting of 68%, male were 23% and females were 9%. The study also found that, curio sellers are concentrated in Zanzibar town followed by Nungwi and Kiwengwa. There are some marine species which are decreasing in abundances example, Cypraea cassis rufa, Cypraea cassis cornuta, Lambis truncata and Ovula ovam. Curio trade has positive contribution to the livelihoods of the coastal people, this study has found that the collection pressure for marine shell has increased from increasing number of collectors and sellers; hence this pressure could cause great reduction to some organisms and even disappearance. This study recommend strong management , rules and regulations should be planned to ensure curio sellers and collectors are done their business sustainably.
Description
Available in print form, University of Dar es Salaam at Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library
Keywords
Community based, marine curio trade, iUnguja island-Zanzibar
Citation
Haji, A.M(2013) Community based marine curio trade in Unguja island-Zanzibar, Master dissertation, University of Dr es Salaam, Dar es Salaam