Coastal zone management in Tanzania

Coastal zones are those areas fringing land masses to the seaward edge of the continental shelf "to a depth of 200 meters. The exact limits of a coastal zone are nebulous but are defined by political, administrative and biogeographical considerations. The zone may also include coastal features such as coastal plains and all drainage basins flowing into the sea. The strip of ocean described contains some of the most productive, economically valuable and distinct habitats to be found; these include coral reefs, estuarine areas, mangrove forests, wetlands, spawning grounds and seagrass beds (Salm & Clark, 1984).