The Northern Mozambique Channel (NMC) region is one of world’s outstanding marine and terrestrial biodiversity areas and a biological reservoir for coastal East Africa. The biological and conservation values of the NMC area are of global importance as confirmed by multiple reports including the 2012 assessment of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs).

The economic importance of the NMC has emerged as a future driver of national and regional development on a scale not previously realized in East Africa, due to the high fishery productivity of the Mozambique Channel, recent findings of globally significant natural gas deposits and a high potential for coastal tourism development. Accelerating population growth and demographic changes in the NMC region (growing to 30 million, by 2030) will increase demands for and pressures on resources, while at the same time providing opportunities for economic growth and building prosperity. Lackluster governance of marine resources, including low capacity, weak law enforcement (triggering expansion of illegal fishing), inappropriate public investment and political instability, characterize the region.