Restore Corals for 400 Fisherfolks in Wasini

Last Monitoring Mission: Wednesday 14^th June 2023, 8. AM, EAT 

There has been a total of 7 monitoring missions on the Wasini coral garden. The monitoring missions are undertaken by a team of three individuals and usually take between 45 minutes and an hour during early morning when the tide is low, and the coral garden is easily visible. Monitoring missions focus on monitoring illegal activities, the progress in growth of the corals, the abundance of fish at the site, as well as physically removing materials (plastics, etc) that may damage the coral or hinder coral growth.

The corals have grown and there were clear indications of a return of an abundance of fish at the garden. They, however, still require monitoring and care before reaching the stage they can survive on their own. The team undertaking the monitoring missions records the monitoring activities in the form of pictures and videos, but since the beginning of the year the underground camera they use had broken down.

There was a discussion with locals and fisheries experts on using frames instead of blocks as a foundation for the coral garden. Both the locals and the fisheries experts agreed that the current and turbulence within the Shimoni channel favours the blocks than the use of frames.

 Challenges

1. The high cost of boat fuel has limited the number of patrols and monitoring activities.
2. Diving equipment is hired for every coral monitoring mission. This also limits the number of monitoring activities that can be undertaken at the garden.
3. Lack of underwater camera has made it difficult to record and account for the restoration progess. The team hired a camera during the last monitoring mission on Wednesday 14^th June 2023.

Appeal

There are few activities that can be undertaken at the site between April to end of August. This is usually the rainy season, and the Shimoni channel is turbulent. The channel will be less turbulent from August to March.

We plan to expand the garden, buy an underwater camera and diving equipment. We estimate that these will require at least USD 5,000 to cover the expansion of the coral garden (at least two clusters), purchase of the monitoring equipment and meet the cost of monitoring missions. We also plan to start marketing the coral garden to potential visitors who may wish to dive and snorkel.

Appreciation  

We would wish to thank from the bottom of our heart all those who have supported our efforts in restoring the reef at Wasini. We believe you will continue supporting us and encourage others to join us in this journey.

We also appreciate your feedback, as this is an indication of your concern and encouragement.

Links:

• Coral monitoring mission on Wednesday 14th June 2023
• Wasini Album - Pictures and Videos