•In 2005, residents of the area took the unprecedented step of setting aside a 30-hectare Marine Protected Area.
•This was the first coral-based Locally Managed Marine Area in Kenya. Twelve years on, the area has made a remarkable recovery.
The United Nations has expressed their admiration of a village in Kenya over its save the coral reef in the Indian Ocean project.
The villagers from Kuruwitu Beach in Kilifi county were the top discussion during the UN meeting with their project.
The United Nations Environmental Program, UNEP, in conjunction with UN Habitat, launched the Go Blue Project to help cities and towns near oceans thrive.
In the project, the villagers noticed the dwindling stocks of fish and took it upon themselves to set up a conservation area with the help of like-minded partners.
The Metal bed and plastic mesh Project
It starts with a bed made of metal with plastic mesh attached to it.
Plugs made of cement and sand are dried and fastened to the bed to create a nursery of sorts.
After curing them in the sea for weeks, the bed is ready for transplanting and is dropped on the seabed.
Marine life then gets a chance to attach itself to the structure.
A marine conservationist Dickson Gereza explains that pollution is the biggest enemy of the ocean.
"People are being irresponsible. The ocean is a useful resource, but humans are trashing it. It is important to dispose of rubbish correctly to save the ocean,” he said.
According to the UN news, the community realised that overfishing, climate change, and uncontrolled fish and coral collection by the aquarium trade needed to be addressed before the marine ecosystem was damaged beyond repair.
In 2005, residents of the area took the unprecedented step of setting aside a 30-hectare Marine Protected Area.
This was the first coral-based Locally Managed Marine Area in Kenya. Twelve years on, the area has made a remarkable recovery.
Oceans Alive Organisation conservationist Katana Hinzano makes alternative coral blocks and nurseries using cement and sand.
"The sea is valuable to those who live near it. Fishermen and fish business owners rely on sea resources. We all have a part to play to ensure that we benefit from the sea and leave it intact for future generations,” he says as quoted by UN news.
To help the corals regenerate, the experts from Oceans Alive, and Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare Association, work hand in hand.