The water around Mnemba Island is so clear that the coral reef lying ten meters below the surface seems almost within reach.
According to the criteria of
The colorful oval-shaped reef extends from the small island for seven kilometers.
It is known around the world for its beauty, to the point that the government of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania, has designated it marine conservation area.
The corals and marine life they support are not only spectacular to look at, but also provide a livelihood for the people who live on the island through fishing and tourism.
But the reef is threatened.
Climate change has caused warmer sea temperatures.
This has stressed the coral, causing it to expel the brightly colored algae that live inside and provide it with nutrients. As the algae leaves, the coral fades, bleaches, and eventually dies.
The reef has also suffered from invasive fishing practices, including dynamite and spear fishing, as well as unregulated tourist boats and divers causing damage.
“The availability of fish in the past compared to today shows a significant difference,” he says Juma Mshindania local fisherman.
“Before there were a lot of fish. But now, the number of people and fishing methods have increased significantly, including the use of various traps such as nets and fishing lines.”
Mshindani says some fishermen use improvised and harmful equipment, such as mosquito nets, because they are cheaper to buy. He has even seen football goal nets used for fishing.
Three years ago, the damage to Mnemba Reef was so extreme that the community realized that if they did not work to conserve it, not only would it disappear, but they would also be forced to move due to lack of income.
Restoration project
In September 2021, local communities began working with responsible tourism organizations “&Beyond” and “African Foundation” to repair the reef, protect the marine conservation area and support sustainable fishing.
They did this by building steel structures shaped like starfish and turtles to reflect the wildlife on the reef.
The structures were fixed to the existing reef and planted with freshly grown coral from the underwater nursery.
Three years after the start of this project, the results are encouraging: 80% of the coral cover has been restored.
“It’s like they grew on their own,” says the conservation expert Daughter Uledi.
“We have restored the reef and you can’t tell the difference from the natural ones. Now they have fish out there. The work is great and you can see many species.”
Camilla Florosprogram director and senior scientist at Oceans Without Borders (Oceans Without Borders) says the ongoing restoration plan is careful to work with the reef’s natural materials.
“The use of inappropriate materials for artificial reefs can have negative consequences. When artificial reefs first began, people used inappropriate materials, such as discarded tires, to try to create them. “That is not the right approach.”it states.
“What we have done is use the natural coral rock,” he says, referring to the sites where the newly grown coral is transplanted.
According to Floros, this type of regeneration project works best if the local community supports it.
“Every time we have a new initiative, we discuss it with them and get their approval,” he says.
Atuwa Omar is a local resident who participated in the restoration.
Before taking over as a conservation guide, the 24-year-old was at home taking care of her young son.
“Being part of this project on Mnemba Island not only allows me to provide food for my family, but also supports my son’s education,” she says.
Atuwa is currently the only woman working on the projectwhich she says has its own challenges.
“I have encountered some opposition, especially from men, who question my decision to pursue a job they consider dominated by them. However, I firmly believe that work should not be limited to gender norms,” he states.
Changing tourism and fishing
But restoring the reef is not only about replacing the coral cover, but also about limit harmful practices in tourism and fishing.
“Initially, the area faced significant tourism pressure, with 200 boats carrying at least 400 tourists entering an area of just 200 square meters,” he says. Bakari Jahacoordinator of the Zanzibar Africa Foundation.
“To preserve the area, the government, together with &Beyond and the African Foundation, decided to limit the number of tourists to 80,” he says.
In the past, each person would be charged $3 to visit the reef. This cost has now increased to $25.
“This approach has not only improved environmental preservation but also increased income,” says Jaha.
On the other hand, fishing, which was causing significant damage, has been suspended in areas where the reef is being restored.
“We have seen positive changes. Illegal practices, such as the use of bombs, have decreased and fishermen have become more knowledgeable about sustainable fishing methods,” says the fisherman. Mshenga Ally.
Other reefs
The Zanzibar government says it is so excited by the success of the Mnemba restoration project that it is looking to expand it to other threatened areas.
“The government has identified 14 areas with undamaged reefs and others with damaged corals and we are planning to preserve them… we have placed buoys so that people are careful, understanding that fishing activities are not allowed in that place,” says the Makame Omar Makamedirector of the Zanzibar Marine Department.
The pressures on Zanzibar’s reefs mirror the threats facing coral reefs around the world. Those involved in the Mnemba project say they hope it can help other threatened areas.
“The relationship between the sea and corals is crucial for the health of the oceans. We have witnessed coral regeneration, even at significant depths,” says Bakari Jaha.
“We are allowing sea conditions to restore the reefs to their original state,” he concludes.
And remember that you can receive notifications in our app. Download the latest version and activate them.
#ingenious #Zanzibar #island #save #corals #built #structures #shaped #starfish