The marine conservation project aims to create a sustainable ecotourism environment by conserving and monitoring dolphin and coral reef health through education. Zanzibar is one of the last remaining areas in the world with a dolphin population that is not governed by guidelines that limits the impact of tourism on their behavior. Our Conservation project focuses on conducting research, ethical dolphin tour workshops and conservation clubs for local schools to create a sustainable environment.
In Zanzibar, there is lack of awareness on marine conservation, dolphin tourism and sustainable practices in the communities, boat drivers and tours. Tourism has grown on the island which also increases unethical dolphin tours, affecting their behavior and habitat. Additionally, most of the boat drivers do not know how to drive ethically around the dolphins. Finally, the communities and schools are not educated on how to keep their environment clean, safe and protected.
Ethical Training Workshops are given throughout 5 modules covering business, customer service and ethical behavior alternatives. Upon completion and sitting their exam, they become certified ethical boat drivers and assist them through marketing their tours to appeal to environmentally conscious tourists. We also provide conservation workshops to students in a local school with the goals of inspiring youth to take care of their environment. They also attend fun field trips three times a year.
The dolphin, coral reef and fishing activity research collected on project, along with community education, will help to aid in marine conservation and sustainable ecotourism so that the entire Zanzibar environment benefits.