Restore Corals for 400 Fisherfolks in Wasini

This report covers the period May to August 2018.

The Year in Review

There have been great strides made in the past year in addressing key issues that were alive at the beginning of the project. The major threats that the project was to address were the illegal fishing and fishing gear that had contributed to the degradation of the corals and other fishery resources around Wasini Island. This was a reversal of the gains made by prior projects that had piloted the rehabilitation of the coral reef around the Wasini Island. 

Through the publicity created by the project over the plight of the community and their marine resources, other stakeholders intervened. The Kenya Coastal Development Project through the State Department of Fisheries and Kenya Wildlife Services donated a patrol boat and training of community members on marine surveillance. This paved way for regular twice-weekly beach patrols and the elimination of illegal fishing particularly within the community-managed marine conservation areas.

The patrols were combined with maintenance activities at the coral nursery as well as replacing corals that had died. At least 500 corals were replanted.

Adopt-A-Coral Campaign

The corals have regenerated as a result of no disturbances from illegal fishing activities. However, the pace at which the corals are regenerating is not sufficient to cover the projected 4ha of coral reef. More effort has to be directed to increase the area under coral reef. With the experience, skills and knowledge on traditional and scientific coral transplanting among community members, this is possible.

There was less coral transplant activity in the period under review due to unclear waters occasioned by the rainy and windy season. However, the waters will clear in September and allow the resumption of the coral transplant activity. To adequately prepare for this period, the project will have to raise funds for coral nursery beds, coral fragment collection and other materials for coral transplanting. We urge our supporters to Adopt-a-Coral to boost our efforts to increase coral acreage between September and October 2018.

Links:

• DONATE!
• Wasini Island Coral Restoration and Community Managed Project