Zanzibar — MARINE scientists in Zanzibar have warned that dolphins may vanish in the Isles due to the increased diving and visits by boat at their domiciles.

Kizimkazi area, in South Unguja is the famous area for dolphins, and according to officials from Zanzibar Tourism Commission, the number of visits by tourists has doubled, a threat to the life of those species.

According to Dr Narriman Jidawi, from the Institute of Marine Science (IMS) University of Dar es Salaam, dolphins are friendly to human beings, but sometimes they feel uncomfortable when people frequent areas whey live. "Out of the eight known species of dolphins around the world, Zanzibar has been lucky to have two types of Dolphins.

But we need to protect them," Jidawi said at the gathering meant to building awareness of the threats to dolphins . In some efforts to minimize the risks, stakeholders are proposing to regulate policies that should be observed by tourists and guides visiting dolphin areas.