Bazaruto Archipelago National Park Mozambique: mid-term internal review of Bazaruto multiple resource use project, 2001-2005 and Bazaruto community based natural resource management project, 2003-2005

This report presents the findings of an internal progress review of two projects being implemented within the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP) in Mozambique. The two projects under review are the Multiple Resource Use Project (MRUP) and the Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) project. The aim of the review was to assess the progress of the two projects towards their stated objectives and outputs, to document what has been done, to identify any constraints hindering progress, and to provide recommendations to guide the future implementation of both projects.Collectively, the two projects have made an essential contribution to the continued conservation of the biological resources of the BANP. Principal achievements include:the extension of the park to its current limitsthe adoption of the management plan, 2002-2006providing essential support to enable continued management of the park, including improved monitoring and protection of biological resources and increased involvement of communities with the management of these resourcesproject support has also resulted in significant improvements to the socioeconomic conditions of communities living within the BANP, including improved educational facilities and opportunities, employment and resource accessconservation successes including enhanced protection for species of special conservation interest, a drastic reduction in long-line commercial fishing by foreign registered vessels, and a similar decline in gill netting by local fishermen.Despite these successes, the review highlights some concerns, including:the apparent continued decline in marine resources such as coral reefs, fish and mapalo, upon which local livelihoods are directly dependentpotentially unsustainable tourism development is a key threat to the resource base of the BANPa fundamental requirement to addressing concerns about both community livelihoods and future developments will be to improve trust and understanding, and thus ensure the development and maintenance of better relationships, among key stakeholders.