Lamu Marine Conservation

Category: Tagging | Date: Mar 26 2009 | By: lamumarine

Thank You Nayan Shah!
Lamu Marine would like to thank Nayan Shah,

(Associate Professor of History,Califonia) for his

support on our project;When he sponsored a

turtle on behalf of Patrizia Chu during his visit

to Lamu.
It was a very wonderful occasssion from the side

of Lamu Marine to have Neyan supporting our

project,Thank you!
 
We will keep in touch

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Category: Quaterly Newsletter | Date: Jan 10 2009 | By: lamumarine

Best Wishes for the New Year!!                                                  

We want to send our best wishes to all our friends in conservation from the western archipelago of Lamu District; Coast Province; Kenya.

We do send our acknowledgment to Tust Trust www.tusk.org our main sponsors in England to whom without there assistance we wouldn’t have done much.  

LAMCOT greatly appreciates all donations from both nest and tag adopters.

Lamu Marine Conservation project is indebted to Carol Korschen and her husband Lars (Management Peponi Hotel and Pioneers of the Project) for their support.

Many thanks go to the turtle team for their zeal and diligence in all matters pertaining to conservational activities.

Lamu Marine Conservation Trust is indebted by the work of KESCOM (Kenya Sea Turtle Conservation Committee) for their incessant support on Data collection, update on conservational issues etc.

We also send our thanks to Merry Joe and Louis from Kizingo for their support with respect to all conservational activities in Shella Beach. LaMCoT would also like to direct its appreciation to the entire community for having accepted to join their hands which are indispensable paddles for the excellence of this project.
Hope you enjoy reading our news….!!!!

Turtle protection

 
The year 2008 was great in terms of number of baby turtles released.  Lamcot released 40,000 baby turtles. On the side of tagging it has tagged and released 200 adults and juvenile turtles. We had a few cases on mortality of both juvenile and baby turtles.  

The Education Project
The above project is still on at the four Schools in Lamu and by 2009 the project is expected to be more extended to the eastern archipelago once the Dhow project gets funded.
The syllabus covers all angles of environmental conservation and with bits of making the kids sophisticated.

Awareness and education activities will enhance the impact of conservation initiatives by enabling school children and the local communities have a greater understanding of environmental issues as well as provide a cleaner environment for all i.e. through beach clean ups.  TUSK TRUST education package has been very useful to this project. 

Bees and Conservation
The ten hives are already installed at the Kibuyuni area, but we had a problem as some of the hives were being vandalized.   We have moved them to a safer place near the community leaving there.

This place is where Ama environmental kindness club going to have its project on mangrove rehabilitation while the bee project for all schools (During time of excursions) after they finish the bee topic (Lecture).

Adviser from PUM (Netherlands Senior Experts) 15th-30th November

 
In September 2008 Carol Korschen,  the  Director of the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust (LaMCoT), sent a request to PUM for assistance in the development of LaMCoT’s work in environmental protection, conservation of animals and plants, and wise use of water. The application mentioned the existence of a turtle protection scheme and programme for capacity building for Lamu fishermen. Fortunately, the request was accepted and we had an adviser; Mr.Fer Von der assen to our project from 15th-30th stayed at Peponi Hotel.
The PUM expert’s s Mission was to be able to assess the activities of LaMCoT and to help it with the possible recommendation.  Eventually on November 18th a work plan meeting was held and it was agreed to discuss all LaMCoT’s (sub) projects individually on the basis of a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), followed by a list of recommendations. This procedure was also followed for the discussions on funding, staff and organization. We are now following the annual recommendations based on Mr.Fer Von Der Assen; which is of very helpful in implementing our mission. Thank you very much Fer!

Community mobilization

We collaborating with Professor Shekuwe and other BMU’s of Lamu to save and protect the only snorkeling area in Lamu’ Manda Toto’. Nevertheless, people are exploiting it : aquarium fishing, illegal fishing methods by locals and foreigners, ornamental fishing etc. is really pushing this asset on the wall. We are now aiming to develop a holistic approach to conservation and management of the marine resources for the benefit of local community.

Babo Project
The above project which is meant for disseminating conservational information to the Eastern part of Lamu archipelago is still pending as we are waiting for an umbrella.  We are soliciting for a sponsor, Sarah, the project manager for Tusk in Africa has already sent a concept paper to them.  Also Carol Korschen is looking for sponsor at Peponi with some people she knows.  Al Miftah Dhow is ready for transportation. Lars from Peponi Hotel has paid for it while we are looking for the 10,000 Gb to pay it off.  The Dhow will not only be used for the  Medical/Educational trips on the north, but also for taking the kids in our environment clubs out on trips, snorkeling, Exchange visits, visiting projects on the ground, community mobilization ( a good example is when we mobilize the community when Pemba fishermen intruded to our fishing grounds with their destructive fishing methods).  
How you can get involved in Lamcot and its activities….
Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has its own Bank account for members and well wishers to deposit funds.  To do this you will need the following information:

Swift Code:  KCBLKENXXX 
Beneficiary: Lamu Marine Conservation Trust
Account Number:  205 670 971

Alternatively funds could be sent to Tusk Trust in England
Tusk Trust.
UK Reg 803118

” Tusk Turtles, Lamu”
And sent to:

Tust Trust
5 Townbridge House
High Street
Gillingham
Dorset
SP8 4AA

Tusk is our main sponsors.  www.tusk.org

WE ARE HAPPY TO RECEIVE DONATIONS INFORM OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO ALREADY .SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY BECOMING AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF LAMCOT
YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY EMAILING US AT: dotatwa@yahoo.com or kasa@peponi-lamu.com

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Category: Uncategorized | Date: Dec 10 2008 | By: lamumarine

The environmental club of Shella primary school, an adviser from PUM project, Fer von der Assen from Holland  & three administrative staff from Lamu Marine Trust did a fantastic job by collecting almost half a tone of marine litters along takwa beach; our main nesting site.
 
The debris was mainly rubber sandals (flip flops) and plastics from as far as Indonesia, Australia, Somalia, Madagascar and other countries within the Indian Ocean are deposited on these pristine turtle nesting beaches. The flip flops rubbish was taken to Kiunga Marine National Reserve (KMNR), is located in Kiunga division of Lamu district at the Kenyan coast. They do the conservation and recycling effort with world wide fund for nature (WWF).

        May be this …………………………………        can become this…….
 

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Category: Quaterly Newsletter | Date: Nov 02 2008 | By: lamumarine

Lamu Marine Conservation Trust Newsletter
June –September 2008
A) Data for turtle protection and monitoring
i) Number of Adult and juvenile turtle tagged and released 2008

Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has so far released/protected 124 tagged
 turtles in the last 8 months, accidentally caught by the fishermen in
Lamu District from January to July. The programme is continuing.

ii) Number of Babies turtles released/protected and monitored.
safely to the sea
We have had very fascinating and exhilarating moments on the day(s)
 of turtle nest hatchling for the entire community of Lamu and its tourists.
 Trips are organized to the nest sites. Whoever comes back gets touched with
 our noble work and without hesitation, cross their fingers with us. 
A total miracle of life!
After thorough protection and monitoring of the nests, the project released
50,548 successfully hatched baby turtles since the beggining of the project(1992).
 Summarily, Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has been very successful in the protection of turtle nests since the begginning of the project.  See the below graph.

B) Education programme
The project We run the programme at each school on a weekly basis. Pembe boat,
 donated by Tusk Trust in 2004 has been very useful to the project in reaching
 the three far schools and in patrolling. When the clubs finished their first
term, we had excursions to the related topics.

C) Bee project
Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has started the bee project in Kibuyuni. There
 dozens of acres of mangrove have been exploited without a single tree being
replaced.  The project has provided 10 hives to the community of this area
where by the harvest will be shared between, the sponsors (LaMCoT) and other
 joining forces in conservation.

Kibuyuni is where Ama Environmental Kindness Club plans to have its project
on Mangrove rehabilitation, while the bee project is for all schools
(during of excursions)

 
(D) A turning point
In deed it is; the elders of Shella community have recently teamed up for a
better tomorrow for shella children, youth and the entire community.
 It was after Idd Mubarak 3 days ago that all elders, children and youths
 gathered   together to discuss matters relating to Shella Village; education,
culture. Social changes and the other main agenda was a play ground for the
children during ceremonial occasion.  A committee was chosen to mandate
different games of which some were already in line; the dhow race and tag of war.  

The meeting at bahari Hotel                                        

  Tag of war game

Other Achievements
i. Solar system
Through the efforts of Sarah Watson, the project was able to benefit with some
 funds from the Safaricom Marathon competition held at Lewa.  The funds were used
to pay for the installation of solar panels at the Patrolling sites of the turtle
 nests. This solar system will help in the efficiency of communication as there is
 no power in the area. Therefore, charging of mobile phones will be available
without any difficulties. At the same time the patrol team will benefit by getting
 some lights at their home stead. ( we have already paid Bruce and just waiting for
 the tides for it to be installed)
ii. Trees at the airstrip
Still with the financial assistance from Tusk, together with the collaboration from
 the pioneer Shella environmental club, 70 indigenous trees of which 50 survived is a great success to us and the donor.   This area is now looking beautiful to all
guests coming to lamu by Flights.    Indeed the work could be describes as from
nothing to something, in this programme, the project consumed a lot of its time and
 money but fortunately we won the battle.  Many people tried to plant in this venue
 but all efforts in vain as this area is very dry and salty during high tides.

 
                             
Acacia and coconut trees at the lamu airstrip  

our sign board at the airstrip

iii. Information abroad
The year 2008 has been a very successful year when it comes to information dissemination
 through story telling by journalists and film crews across the world.
We have been visited by both national and international broad casters and journalists. 
We believe in this way we will definitely win. 
KTN the second leading channel in Kenya, visited us in April, the Italian film crew
in Feb, the French film crew in January, Spanish Journalist for (El Mundo, Spain’s
second largest newspaper)  by the name Pablo Pardo, Lee Middleton from Tanzania April,
 Ingrid Mueller Journalist from German and Swara Magazine by East African Wildlife Society.

Project constraints

Remember that we heavily rely on Subscription from both Locals and foreigners, Tusk Trust
 from UK help us a lot in catering the social overheads (www.tusk.org ).  Therefore,
donation could be made through wildlife direct as per the column donation,  at our
account here in Kenya i.e. Swift Code:  KCBLKENXXX Beneficiary: Lamu Marine
Conservation Trust
Account Number:  205 670 971
Alternatively funds could be sent to Tusk Trust in England
Tusk Trust Charity Aid Foundation
UK Reg 803118

” Tusk Turtles, Lamu”
And sent to:

Tust Trust
5 Townbridge House
High Street
Gillingham
Dorset
SP8 4AA

Tusk is our main sponsors.  www.tusk.org

WE ARE HAPPY TO RECEIVE DONATIONS INFORM OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE SO ALREADY..SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY BECOMING AN ACTIVE
MEMBER OF LAMCOT
YOU CAN REGISTER YOUR MEMBERSHIP BY EMAILING US AT: dotatwa@yahoo.com or
 lamutrust@gmail.com
 

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Category: turtle team | Date: Oct 31 2008 | By: lamumarine

Carol
Pioneer of the project
Patron of the project
Member of the Board of advisors
She is available at anytimes when help is needed.
She is the main bridge between the LamCoT trust and our
main sponsor Tusk Trusk.

 
Atwaa
Project coordinator
Has managed LamCoT for 7 years
Oversees all field work conducted by the
turtle team and their work plan.
Maintains links with all turtle conservation      
groups in Kenya under the umbrella   
organisation KESCOM and with Kenya  
Wildlife Service and all BMUs
Held responsible for the project accounts
Coordinator for Tusk Trust: seeking      
donations, compiling budget breakdowns,   
regular report writing for Tusk and KESCOM.
Works with the local community to ascertain their
needs in conservation of the area.
Attend meetings and conferences on behalf of the project

 
Famau
Field Officer
Has worked With the project for Four years
Coodinator of the education project in Lamu Island.
Monitors all field projects over the Lamu  archipelago
Coordinates tag and release of turtles brought in
by fishermen
Leads the Environmental Clubs of
four primary schools.
Takes environmenat clubs for excursions
Works with the local community to increase
environmental awareness.
Oversees bee project on Takwa, Manda, set up to
promote pollination of mangroves and to produce
Marine Bush Honey.

 
Hasanaat
Project Assistant
Prepare project newsletters and annual reports
Correspondence with all sponsors of the project/Tag
and Nest sponsors
Regular updates to the project Blog
(www.lamumarine.org)
Daily checking of Emails and replies.
Assistance of the Education officer
Works with the local community to ascertain their
needs in conservation of the area

Muhaj
Project Captain
Captain of Al-Miftah and  Pembe boats donated by Tusk Trust
Assist in organizing offshore meetings with the fishermen.
Work with regular trips to the turtle nesting beaches. 
Acts as ambassador to the Eastern community Pate( Island)
Takes environmental clubs for excursion
with is Crew.

Mohammed Bakari
Project Crew
Crew of Al-Miftah boat
Work with regular trips to  the turtle nesting beaches.
Take Famau to schools on weekly basis for the education programme
Takes environmental clubs for the excursions.

Odo
Daily patrols of Takwa Beach, Manda to prevent illegal poaching of eggs.Also,sight and record location of nesting females
Oversee nests during the 45-60 days incubation period
Translocate nests below the high water mark to a safer location
Keep in regular contact with project members on Shella to inform them of hatching dates
Report on any trawlers at the vicinity of Manda Island.

 
Mahmoud
Daily patrols of Shella Beach, to prevent illegal poaching of eggs and to sight and record location of nesting females
Oversee nests during the 45-60 days incubation period
Translocate nests below the high water mark to a safer location
In charge of the Camels available for ride during hatchling times and for leisure.
Assisting security of Shella Beach.
Escorting guests along beach to Kipungani.

Abdi
Daily patrols of Takwa Beach, Manda to prevent illegal poaching of eggs.Also,sight and record location of nesting females
Oversee nests during the 45-60 days incubation period
Translocate nests below the high water mark to a safer location
Keep in regular contact with project members on Shella to inform them of hatching dates.
Help organizing night patrols with volunteers and guests.

Jilo
Daily patrols of Shella Beach, to prevent illegal poaching of eggs.Also,sight and record location of nesting females
Oversee nests during the 45-60 days incubation period
Translocate nests below the high water mark to a safer location
Assisting security of Shella Beach and Kipungani
Help reporting on any trawlers approaching our fishing zones.

Twalib
Field Officer
A trustee to LaMCoT
Advisor of the project
Monitors all field projects over the Lamu  archipelago
Coordinates tag and release of turtles brought in by fishermen
Leads the Environmental Clubs of two primary schools on field trips to mangroves/ reef/turtle nesting beach
Works with the local community to increase environmental awareness

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Category: Community | Date: Oct 30 2008 | By: lamumarine

Lamu archipelago a World Heritage Site is a biodiversity hotspot with a rich coral reef and mangrove ecosystem.
Fishing and tourism provide the main economic livelihoods for the local communities on the island. 

The marine resources however face various environmental and anthropogenic challenges such as incidences of coral bleaching associated with climate change,
over exploitation and degradation of the local fisheries and mangrove forests.

Manda Toto is located at northern part on Lamu archipelago. It is the only snorkeling place remains in Lamu.
Nevertheless, people are exploiting it: aquarium fishing, illegal fishing methods by locals and foreigners, ornamental fishing etc. is really pushing this asset on the wall.

The Trust has the aim to develop a holistic approach to conservation and management of the marine resources for the benefit of local communities and livelihoods.
One of the Trust objectives is to raise awareness on the existing problem locally, regionally and internationally i.e. by protecting Manda Toto.

Lamu Marine with collaboration from both other community organizations, such as BMUs of Lamu and Government agencies,
would like to demarcate the most crucial and important fishing zone of Manda Toto. 
Kiruwitu Conservancy near Kilifi is a good example of a community project which has successfully implemented the idea; almost 2km2 is protected and controlled by the existing laws.  Now the community are rejoicing the fruit of their handwork and dedication, why not us!?

Lamu Marine has already taken an initiative and it is now creating synergies on the ground to protect it. 
First it has already conducted a trip with 10 people (Fishermen leaders) down to Kiruwitu Conservancy for experiential learning,
second it has installed a mooring at the site (Manda Toto) for fishermen not to anchor on the corals as this is detrimental (Though one mooring is not enough at all). 
Now it is moving to the third step of awareness to the entire fishermen community, the fourth step is identification and demarcation of the zone.
The last for this first phase A, we are waiting to hear the response from the community, on how we are going to have a balance on the exploitation of the existing scarce resources, and how we are going to fight with the intruders.

Dear readers; please if you have any assistance, most welcome!

For more updates please keep visiting us.

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Category: Tagging | Date: Oct 22 2008 | By: lamumarine

  A juvenile turtle accidentally caught by Mohamed(A fisherman), was safely released to the sea with Tag Number KE 2523.  She was measuring 44 cm length and 43 cm width. The turtle was sponsored by Lucy Keeling.( Guest from Peponi Hotel).

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Category: Turtles | Date: Oct 05 2008 | By: lamumarine

Left Camille Basurta, next Sophie Broach.Right Joanna Valk ,next Julia Broach
Lamu Marine Conservation Trust would like to thank Sophie Broach for her generous support on the turtle project.
Sophie is a resident of UK of 16years. She raised $ 900 from a bake sale on behalf of Lamu Marine Conservation.

Sophie visited Lamu together with her family and they were very much impressed on our noble work.
Also, we would like to thank Sophie’s friends and her family for their support.

Always looking forward for your continuous support.

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Category: Tagging | Date: Oct 01 2008 | By: lamumarine

Groom: Greg Kruse
Bride: Anna Chilczkuk

Recently, there was a special wedding at Peponi Hotel of Lamu. The couples’ names were Greg Kruse and Anna Chilczuk.
It was fantastic and a wonderful wedding ever done in Peponi!

The wedding group sponsored turtles as a wedding present to Lamu Marine Trust.
We would like to thank the whole group for their generous support.

Always looking forward to perpetual your support.

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Category: Turtles | Date: Sep 18 2008 | By: lamumarine

  Mr.Thomas Betchler                                                       

Lamu Marine would like to thank Thomas Betchler for his perpetual support on the project. He has his own house on Manda Island. Thomas and his Son has been sponsoring so many turtles when they were accidentally caught by fishermen. One day Thomas decided to visit Pate Island of eastern archipelago. On the way he saw a turtle accidentally caught by fisherman. He gave them compensation instead of them slaughtering it. Lamu marine Team is very thankful to you Thomas and we will keep in touch. Thank you Thomas and your family.

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