Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae Smith, 1939) discoveries and conservation in Tanzania

Abstract

Prior to September 2003, coelacanths had not been officially recorded from waters off Tanzania. A sudden spate of coelacanth catches has resulted in 21 confirmed and several unconfirmed specimens being recorded. Nineteen specimens were caught in six months off Tanga, including six in one night. Nowhere else in the world have so many coelacanths been caught in such a short time. The reason for this sudden increase in catches is uncertain. There is concern that the impact of this fishing mortality might be threatening the population. Morphological and meristic data from Tanga specimens indicate that they are not notably different from those examined elsewhere in the western Indian Ocean. Tanzanian authorities plan to determine the size and conservation status of coelacanth populations so that informed conservation decisions might be made.