Kenya, Indian Ocean

REEL project : conservation through involvement.

In partnership with the local nonprofit

Where does it take place?

We collaborate with the local nonprofit Oceans Alive Foundation since the beginning of 2024 on the REEL Kilifi (Restoring Reef Ecosystems for Enhanced Livelihoods) project in Kenya, in the Indian Ocean. The project is being developed in the 12,000-hectare Kuruwitu coastal co-management area in Kilifi County. This area benefits from shared coastal and marine resource management between the government and the local fishing community, making it a pioneer in effective collaborative conservation in Kenya.

Why is it important to act in the region?

In Kenya in the 1990s, the collapse of 50-90% of coral reefs due to bleaching episodes had a devastating effect on the ecosystem. In addition, unrestricted open-access fishing led to the use of destructive gear and overfishing. These factors have had a negative impact on the livelihoods of the country’s coastal artisanal fishermen. They represent 90% of the fishing community and depend on the reef: this is not an isolated problem.

Thanks to hard work in 2003, the Kuruwitu community was able to establish a community conservation zone under traditional law (tengefu). This protection has restored 30% of the coral reefs and contributed to the recovery of 400% of the fish biomass and associated biodiversity. In 2010, the Kenyan constitution, which called for greater community participation in the management of natural resources, gave rise to a legal framework of secure land tenure and user rights, supporting the initiatives already developed by local communities.

Within the 30-hectare tengefu zone, the local community of Kuruwitu ensures the protection and restoration of the coral reefs. Today, however, there are still problems present in the reefs of neighboring localities: overfishing, pollution linked to fishing and the use of indiscriminate gear are sometimes still in use.

“Through this partnership with Coral Guardian, we look forward to their science-based perspectives that can help refine the technology currently being employed in our partner coral reef nurseries and out planting systems. We hope that Coral Guardian experience in community-based coral restoration will bring a fresh approach to inspire our fisher community adoption and scaling up of local action in appreciation of the livelihood benefits of coral restoration to improve productivity and sustainability of the reef fishery and to open new economic options through biodiversity enhanced and ecosystem resilience leading to prospects of eco-tourism investments.”

REEL project team

Our mission

Restoration and Conservation

Restore and conserve 70 ha of coral reefs and associated biodiversity in two locations in the Kuruwitu co-management area to promote ecosystem resilience and improve the livelihoods of the local community of dependent fishermen, by testing and implementing adapted restoration techniques.

Awareness

Raise local, regional and international awareness of the importance of coral reefs as a habitat for marine biodiversity, the provision of ecosystem services and sustainable livelihoods for fishers.

Deployment

Deploy and extend as far as possible in the Kuruwitu area and neighbouring management zones effective coral protection and restoration methods adapted to the context, sharing the experience of the local nonprofit.

Restoration and Conservation Awareness Deployment

Key figures

Anticipated impact over the next 3 years:

hectares of reef protected and restored using traditional laws in Kuruwitu (tengefu)

local fishermen trained and directly involved in coral protection and restoration

Kuruwitu communities made aware of the importance of coral reefs

coastal management zones made aware of the sustainable management of marine resources

Our restoration techniques

Coral restoration

We use methods that are adapted and replicable by local communities. On-site coral nurseries house fragments of opportunity corals collected in the area. After being nurtured and cared for by the local community, the corals are transplanted onto locally-built concrete block artificial reefs that also provide habitat for fish. All the work of building and maintaining the nurseries, as well as transplanting, is carried out by trainee fishermen trained in coral biology and methods. Here, coral restoration is a means of raising community awareness and reclaiming the reef.

We’ll also be testing new methods to find the most appropriate and financially sustainable.

The restoration zone is an area protected by the local community under the tengefu law, to ensure the sustainability of the actions.

Involving local communities

The community plays a central role in the adoption and implementation of the project.

Firstly, local fishermen will be trained by the project team in coral restoration methods over a period of several months. They will thus be made aware of the importance of coral reefs and will benefit from a reinforcement of their local reef management capacities.

We will also be developing tools to help teachers in local schools raise awareness among young people.

Finally, regular exchanges between team members and community members are planned to share project results and engage them in the protection and responsible use of the area.

The aim is to develop a sense of ownership in the local community by developing peer-to-peer learning in the context of community citizen science, and by sharing the results of the project with the immediate and wider community.

Biological monitoring

For each restoration method, we monitor coral survival and growth. We also monitor whether natural recruitment of coral larvae is occurring.

We also regularly monitor water temperature, as well as coral bleaching in nurseries and transplant sites.

Finally, we observe fish species diversity and estimate fish biomass (size and number), as well as the presence and number of marine invertebrates in protected areas.

Social monitoring

Trainees are tasked with recording socio-economic data from coastal communities, in order to track the evolution of benefits derived from the reef for local residents. This includes monitoring fisheries and tourism.

We also take into account the perception of the fishing community through regular surveys and interviews.

Last but not least, we monitor the number of people present at presentations to local stakeholders (general public, government, schools, etc.).

Looking ahead in terms of project evolution?

The overall aim of this collaboration is to strengthen and extend the participatory coral reef restoration models implemented in the Kuruwitu Tengefu Community Protection Area in Kenya, in order to support local communities. To this end, the area will serve as a living classroom for training new communities, sharing experiences, following a restoration approach adapted to the socio-economic context of local traditional fishing communities.