Kenya : Coral Reef Conservation

The Coral Reef Conservation Project was started in 1986 to study the impacts of fishing, snail collection, and river sediments on Kenya’s coral reefs. The southern fringing reef has four gazetted marine parks, which exclude fishing and shell collecting near reefs experiencing various levels of fishing intensity. This situation of protected, unprotected, and recovering reefs in a common environment is rare and allows for scientific analysis of the effects of fishing and sea urchin population dynamics on coral reef species diversity and ecological processes. WCS provides technical as well as financial support for research activities on the marine reserves and fisheries.

The Human Aspect
About 70% of the coastal population in Kenya depends on fisheries and tourism for their livelihood. With the increasing population and poverty levels in Kenya, fishing pressure on the coral reef ecosystem continues unabated. Traditional fishing methods are being replaced by use of destructive gears such as beach seines, which have in part contributed to reduced catch per unit effort. Management strategies include closing areas to fishing and gear restrictions but efforts are hampered by inadequate enforcement capacity and low awareness.

Threats
El Nino conditions of 1997-1998 caused the highest mortality in recent history. Mortality was particularly severe in the western Indian Ocean, where many reefs experienced 40 to 99% losses of coral cover. Overfishing and use of destructive fishing methods has led to the loss of a key predator, Balistapus undulatus. As a result there has been proliferation of sea urchins and reef erosion. In 2002 an unidentified disease caused mortality among three coral genera in Kenya and Northen Tanzania.

WCS Activities
Understanding how coral reef ecosystems respond to multiple and, at times, synergistic human and natural stresses constitutes a major component of CRCP’s research program under which more than 20 studies have been concluded and about 10 are ongoing (Click here for more information about CRCP).  Over half of the approximately 100 articles published are in peer-reviewed journals and focus on the following areas of research: coral bleaching, mortality and restoration programs, stakeholder attitude towards management strategies, the role of MPAs in enhancing local fisheries, gear fish species selectivity and capture size, and nutrient studies. The project scientists work very closely with the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Important activities include annual monitoring of the four Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and some unprotected reefs. This annual monitoring program has been maintained since 1987. The project outputs greatly influenced the government’s decision to gazette the Mombasa Marine Park in 1991, and to later change park boundaries in order to improve the resource use and to account for fishermen and tourists needs.

In addition the project has been working closely with the Department of Fisheries (DoF) on monitoring of fish catch and the ecology of fished reefs in southern Kenya since 1991. Regular meetings between the DoF, fishermen, and members of CRCP are held to present results of research and monitoring. Plenary sessions are then held to discuss fisheries trends, causes, and action areas.

CRCP also maintains a relationship with local and foreign universities and supports graduate work and runs an internship program for African nationals. From 1991 to the present, the project has partially supported the completion of 14 Msc projects and 5 doctoral dissertations. Interns learn and participate in the coral reef and fisheries monitoring methods, data analysis, and production of reports and publications. More than 15 Western Indian Ocean (WIO) nationals have been trained.

Important Next Steps

• Expand regional surveys in South Africa, Tanzania, Mauritius, and Madagascar, in order to develop baselines and diversity assessments for comparisons with existing and planned studies.
• Further develop and strengthen existing networks, partnerships, and outreach programs.