Shimoni, Kenya
A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Coral reefs occupy less than 0.1% of the world's ocean area, yet they provide a home for at least 25% of all marine species. The coral reefs in Shimoni, Kenya are heavily damaged due to blast fishing in the past. This form of fishing is now prohibited and the local fisherman know how to catch fish sustainably. Restoring the local marine ecosystem here is important for the wellbeing of the ocean and the people. With our innovative modular building system for artificial reefs it is possible to restore a large part of the damaged ecosystem together with the local community. By cultivating new corals that are planted on our reefs, over time a new coral reef is created that provides habitat to all sorts of marine life. The reef location will become a Marine Protected Area (MPA), where no fishing activities are allowed. The ''spill-over'' effect of the MPA, will ensure a sustainable food supply for the communities of the surrounding fishing villages.
Stage 1: Setting up coral nurseries
At first simple coral trees have to be pt up under water. Small pieces of living coral (Corals of Opportunity) are gathered and placed in the trees. After nurturing them for approx. 5 months, these coral fragments have gained enough strength to be planted out to start forming a new coral reef. The coral fragments need to be outplanted onto artificial reefs, since they can not grow on sand.
Stage 2: Set up local artificial reef production facility
With support of the AFAS Foundation a local production facility has been build, where the innovative modular reef system can be produced by the local community. In collaboration with the local organization REEFolution we are able to collaborate with the people living in Shimoni, Kenya. Together we can rehabilitate the health of the coral reefs, create a sustainable food system for the community and stimulate ecotourism activities that are profitable for people and planet.
Stage 3: Train local community members to produce the reef blocks
The unique modular system enables artificial reef installations without the use of heavy machinery. Using only a small fishing boat, the individual blocks can be transported to the chosen reef site at low costs, where after the reefs can be constructed under water.
Stage 4: Installing reefs
A variety of complex shapes can be build to offer different microhabitats, which is suited for various forms of marine life. Immediately after installation it could be seen that various creatures adopted the structures as habitat!
Stage 5: Transplantation of corals for kickstart of ecosystem restoration
The transplantation of corals on artificial reefs is an effective way to kickstart the restoration of the health of damaged ecosystems. After harvesting the fragments from the nurseries they are transplanted onto the new structures. Researchers from Wageningen University & Research and Kenyatta University are gathering data that is used to create insights into the cultivation of more heat resistant corals that can resist bleaching events in the future.
Stage 6: Monitor survival rates of corals
The newly transplanted corals show high survival rates and they are growing fast! We are very happy to see that these corals are adopting the new structures. During the monitoring of the coral growth, an increase in marine populations and biodiversity has also been observed. Furthermore the project area is now protected, which means that marine populations can repopulate without being disturbed.
Stage 7: Effect of the reefs over time
Over time the corals take over the artificial structures and attract more life. When the reefs are left alone marine populations can increase, which can create a sustainable food supply foor the people living in fishing villages.
Stage 8: Setting up scientific research into ecosystem restoration
Research reef design
To find out more about:
- the ability to speed up ecosystem restoration
- the effects of artificial reefs on biodiversity
- marine population in project area
a research has been set up. By setting 30 replicate reefs, where 50% of the reefs get new corals on them and 50% doesn't we want to find out how coral cultivation and transplantation on artificial reefs can help to improve marine ecosystem restoration.
The reef is designed with certain 'overhangs' and walls that, according to literature, are attractive for various forms of marine life.
The first results look promising. The 'overhangs' and walls attract bigger fish that are important to maintain the health of the reefs and overall ecosystem. The goal is to create the most optimal reef, that doesn't need maintenance from humans, but can function autonomously without interferance.
Stage 9: Spreading knowledge to upscale impact
While the reef production is running and the new underwater world is growing, workshops are given to other communities, Beach Management Units, and boat operators to teach interested people how coral reef restoration is done effectively. By teaching people hot to produce artificial reef structures, deployment planning, outplanting of corals and how to monitor results we can increase our impact!
Stage 10: Local revenues for upscaling & national news!
For the long-term upscaling of the project it is necessary to create revenue streams. By selling 'work-packages' to tourists and student-groups, income is created. These funds are used to buy more materials for the production of the artificial reefs and for the payment of salaries for the local community members that are involved in the project. Furthermore our efforts have been mentioned on the Dutch and the Kenyan national news! In the first video a compilation is shown of the first engagement of student groups with the restoration activities. The second video shows the Kenyan news item and the last video shows the Dutch news item