Pungume Island

Pungume Island
Pungume Island is located in Tanzania
Pungume Island
Pungume Island
Geography
LocationZanzibar Channel
Coordinates06°25′31″S 39°20′12″E / 6.42528°S 39.33667°E / -6.42528; 39.33667
ArchipelagoZanzibar Archipelago
Adjacent toIndian Ocean
Length2.5 km (1.55 mi)
Width0.96 km (0.597 mi)
Administration
RegionMjini Magharibi Region
DistrictMjini
WardFumba
Demographics
LanguagesSwahili
Ethnic groupsHadimu

Pungume Island (Kisiwa cha Pungume, in Swahili) is a protected island located in Fumba ward of Mjini District in Mjini Magharibi Region, Tanzania. The largest of the Menai Bay islands, the island is composed of limestone and is a part of the Menai Bay Marine Conservation Area.[1] The island was close to the location of the 2012 capsized ship MV Sagit.[2]

The island boasts some of the best fishing in the archipelago. In one study it was found that roughly 27% of respondents thought Pungume Island was the best location for seasonal closure for fish stock recovery, while almost one-third thought the islets of Nyemembe and Miwi were the best options.Omar, Ramla T., J. S. Mbwambo, and Islam SS Mchenga. "Indigenous knowledge values for marine conservation in Unguja Island, Zanzibar." (2018).

  1. ^ Kotarba-Morley, Anna M., et al. "Coastal landscape changes at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar: Contextualizing the archaeology of an early Islamic port of trade." The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology 19.1 (2024): 57-91.
  2. ^ Zzziwa, N. Margaret. "EALA condoles with HE President Jakaya Kikwete and the Citizens of the United Republic of Tanzania." (2012).