The proposed marine TBCA will be crucial to the protection of the continuous seascape that extends from Kenya to Tanzania. It will be critical to the conservation efforts of both countries, because it could protect key coastal and marine habitats such as: mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, rocky shores and intertidal mud flats. When established, the TBCA will also protect various species including: the WIO coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae), dugongs, dolphins, whales, seabirds, turtles, sharks, rays and associated coral reef fishes.

The border of Kenya and Tanzania shares a common socio-economic demographic, with coastal communities highly dependent on the bounties of the coastal and marine habitats for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism and mariculture. Both countries also have rapidly growing and expanding coastal cities, Mombasa in Kenya and Tanga in Tanzania, which have also introduced greater economic activity in the region. This includes the development of the ports and increase in shipping and maritime activity, and potential oil and gas and mining industries.

Establishing the marine TBCA will contribute to the achievement of conservation targets that both the Kenya and Tanzanian governments have agreed to. Currently, there are seven existing marine protected areas (MPA), including the Tanga Coelacanth MPA and 14 locally-managed marine areas established by Kenyan and Tanzanian fishing communities in the shared border. The proposed TBCA could encompass these existing conservation areas, strengthen efforts, and improve management of the area.