Filling in socio‐ecological knowledge gaps to support marine spatial planning in data‐scarce areas: Example from Zanzibar

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is one of the most important tools for ensuring sustainable use of marine areas. Although MSP is a well‐established method, its adoption in rapidly developing countries is a challenge. One of the main concerns is data adequacy, as the MSP process typically requires a large amount of spatial data on human activities, biodiversity, and socio‐ecological interactions within the planning area. Drawing from an institutional cooperation project in Zanzibar, Tanzania, we share our experience and demonstrate how to fill in socio‐ecological data gaps to support the development of MSP in areas with limited data availability. We developed a rapid and cost‐effective system for collecting biological data, which, together with remote sensing and place‐based participatory mapping, helped formulate the first pilot ecologically informed MSP for Zanzibar. By sharing our results and experiences, we aim to provide best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for future projects with a similar ecological setting and socio‐economic context. Muhtasari Upangaji wa eneo la Baharini (MSP) ni miongoni mwa zana muhimu ya kuhakikisha matumizi endelevu ya maeneo ya bahari. Wakati mbinu za upangaji wa eneo la bahari zimeanzishwa vizuri, changamoto kwa nchi zinazoendelea kwa haraka inakuja kwenye kuasili. Moja katika wasiwasi mkubwa unaosababisha hilo ni utoshelevu wa taarifa, kama ilivyo upangaji wa eneo la bahari ni mchakato unaohitaji kiasi kikubwa cha taarifa za anga katika shughuli za binaadamu, viumbe hai na muingiliano wa kijamii na kiikolojia katika eneo linalopangwa. Kutokana na uzoefu wetu kutoka katika mradi wa ushirikiano wa Taasisi wa Zanzibar, Tanzania, tunakushirikisha katika utambuzi wetu tulioupata kutoka katika upangaji wa eneo la bahari tulioutengeneza kwa ushirikishwaji unaofaa katika maeneo yenye uhaba wa upatikanaji wa taarifa. Tumetengeneza mfumo wa haraka na wenye gharama nafuu kwa ajili ya kukusanyia taarifa za kibiolojia, ambazo pamoja na taarifa za mbali na eneo maalum la ramani shirikishi, imetusaidia kutengeneza eneo la kwanza la Zanzibar lenye taarifa za kiikolojia za baharini. Kwa kuwapatia matokeo na uzoefu wetu, tunalenga kutoa mfano bora, mafunzo yaliyopatika na mapendekezo kwa ajili ya miradi ijayo yenye mipangilio ya kiikolojia inayofanana na muktadha wa siasa za jamii husika. Our study demonstrates how to fill in socio‐ecological data gaps to support the development of marine spatial planning in areas with limited