Lamu Marine Conservation

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!

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