Community Sensitization Meeting

On September 23, eight members of our ReefoDivers Diani team met with 37 members of the Mwakamba Beach Management Unit (BMU) for a community sensitization presentation. The meeting began with a screening of the short documentary "Farming the reef in Kenya" by Dutch master’s student Celine Panis. The film offered attendees a clear look into our project’s journey, showcasing the benefits of reef restoration alongside the social challenges we navigate together.

Following the screening, our Reef Ranger Swabrina delivered an interactive presentation on our pilot project located near Swahili Beach Resort. She shared ecological insights into coral biology and discussed potential future expansion plans. Another focus of her talk was the Community Managed Area (CMA) development plan with the BMU. Swabrina explained how the CMA framework will safeguard critical restoration zones while designating clear, sustainable fishing areas outside those protected spaces, ensuring long-term benefits for both local livelihoods and reef health.

The presentation opened up into an active Q&A session that sparked further engagement from the community. Attendees asked questions about coral biology, including how corals derive energy through photosynthesis via their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae algae, and how they reproduce both sexually through spawning and asexually through fragmentation. The team also clarified the positioning of our coral nurseries marked by six buoys at the surface.

A central topic of discussion addressed regulations and consequences regarding fishing within restoration sites. A fisheries officer explained that while specific national laws governing coral restoration are still evolving within Mwakamba, establishing the CMA will directly resolve these issues by introducing local community by-laws and officially designating surrounding zones for sustainable fishing.

Participants also provided valuable feedback and practical suggestions. Fishers recommended establishing a coordinated system for reporting snagged or dropped nets to ensure safe retrieval without harming the nurseries. Additionally, attendees noted that our current marker buoys can be difficult to spot at night, prompting a helpful recommendation to increase marker visibility as an important safety measure.

As the meeting drew to a close, Mwakamba BMU leaders delivered inspiring remarks, urging all community members to fully embrace the CMA development plan. They highlighted that the plan has already been approved and that ongoing efforts for funding and community sensitization are actively moving forward. The meeting concluded with reinforcing the shared dedication of fishers, leaders, and conservationists working to protect Diani’s marine environment.