We’re excited to share some great news from our ongoing coral reef restoration efforts! Our team, alongside our dedicated Reef Ranger trainees, recently had a productive meeting with Kenya Fisheries officials. The meeting gave us an opportunity to present the progress of our pilot project, highlight its benefits, and share some of the challenges we continue to face. The presentation showcased how restoring the reef not only helps marine biodiversity thrive but also creates sustainable benefits for local fishing communities. The officials were particularly impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge displayed by our Reef Ranger trainees, who are becoming true advocates for marine conservation.
One of the critical issues we raised during the meeting was the pollution of the reef by discarded batteries used by spear fishermen during night fishing. These batteries, often thrown into the water after use, pose a serious threat to the delicate marine ecosystem. We also highlighted our concerns about shark finning, which continues to endanger these vital apex predators. In response, the Fisheries officials offered valuable recommendations and support. They advised us to have our nursery area officially marked and protected under a bylaw of the Mwakamba Beach Management Unit (BMU). We’re pleased to share that this has already been accomplished—a significant step toward ensuring the security of our restoration activities.
The officials suggested organizing a follow-up meeting to present our project to representatives of all BMUs in Diani. This would be an excellent opportunity to expand awareness, foster collaboration, and encourage more BMUs to take part in creating Community Managed Areas (CMAs) along the coastline. They expressed their hope that our work could be extended to additional BMUs, helping to restore and protect more reefs along Kenya’s southern coast.
The support we’ve received from the Fisheries department is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of reef restoration. With their backing, we’re optimistic about the potential to create a larger network of protected marine areas and inspire more communities along the Diani-Chale marine reserve to join our mission.
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