Restore Corals for 400 Fisherfolks in Wasini

On 13th August 2025, a joint team from Africa Nature Organization (ANO) and Wasini community members conducted a monitoring mission and a new round of coral transplantation. The mission assessed the status of earlier restoration clusters and transplanted 30 new coral fragments onto the ANO cluster using disc attachments..

Monitoring revealed significant coral losses due to bleaching in 2024, with only two corals surviving from the 2023–2024 cohort. The mission confirmed both the urgent need to refine restoration techniques and the strong value of continued community involvement.

The Wasini communuty members did restock the nursery with fresh coral fragments in July 2025 as a trial to assess the survival rate of coral seedlings. These corals grew well with over 98% survival rate. This prompted the community to plan a joint coral transplant with ANO on the 13th August 2025. Five representatives from ANO and four community members particpated in this mission, with 5 members being women.

The objectives of monitoring the ANO coral cluster were to assess survival rates of previously transplanted corals, transplanting and replacing the dead corals. Divers inspected the cluster (17 blocks make a cluster) and counted two surviving corals out of the 57 planted in 2023, removed all the dead corals and cleaned the blocks. The women prepared cement discs for fragment attachment. The corals at the nursery were picked and transplanted to replace the dead corals. 30 corals were transplanted.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

1. Bleaching due to rising sea temperatures remains the biggest threat.
2. High cost and labor intensity of using blocks.
3. Lack of diving gear compels the team to rely on rented equipment for all restoration activities.

 2025 Plans and Recommendations

1. Scale up ANO’s restoration site to one acre.

2. Acquire diving gear and a underwater camera for monitoring.

3. Train ANO team members in diving skills.

4. Explore cost-effective techniques (stone-based frames vs. heavy cement blocks).

5. Integrate coral restoration with seagrass planting.

6. Promote and integrate coral restoration activities with ecotourism activities.

Appeal

Coral restoration in Wasini is a long-term, adaptive journey. The August 13, 2025 monitoring mission highlighted both the fragility of restored corals under climate stress and the resilience of the community’s commitment. Continued innovation in techniques, combined with strong local participation, will be key to safeguarding Wasini’s reefs for future generations.

The continued support, through donations from well-wishers, have assisted us establish the coral cluster. Our ambitious 2025 plan of restoring an acre of reef will require the support of more well wishers.

Links:

• Wasini Coral restoration Album