Wasini BMU Co-management area in one of the biodiversity hotspot in Kenya with high diversity of corals, fish species and seagrass beds. There are over 64 coral genera recorded within its waters in addition to over 250 species of fish and 5 species of turtles. The resources however face various threats which include overexploitation and resource use conflicts.
The proposed project has the primary objective of ?a healthy coastal and marine environment providing sustainable benefits for present and future generations? with project specific objectives being
1. Support the conservation and protection of sensitive habitats, recovery of fish populations and rehabilitation of degraded habitats
2. Support sensitization and awareness programs within Wasini village and wider community on sustainable management of the Wasini fisheries and marine resources
The project will be implemented by the Wasini BMU in collaboration with key partners who include the Kwale County Fisheries Department, Seacology Foundation, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute and the Coast Development Authority.
Some of the key project activities include coral and seagrass replantation, targeted awareness programs for the BMU and ecosystem restoration sites.
The projected project cost is US$ 31,900 with funding request from GEF equivalent to US $ 18,400.
The project seeks to fulfil commitments under the GEF SGP Operational Phase VI objective of enhancing socio-ecological resilience of selected landscapes and seascapes in ecologically important and sensitive areas in Kenya. As a result the project focuses on the conservation of important biodiversity which includes fisheries and coral reefs as one of the GEF focal areas and specifically addresses sustainable exploitation of marine resources, conservation of biodiversity and community participation in marine resource management.
Additionally, the project seeks to fulfill some key outcomes in relation to the UNDAF/Country programme outcome ?Growth and development are inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded?; iii) UNDP Strategic Plan Outputs 1.3 ?Solutions developed at national and sub-national levels for sustainable management of natural resources, ecosystem services, chemicals and waste? and iv) GEF expected Biodiversity outcome 9.1 ?Increased area of production landscapes and seascapes that integrate conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into management?.
Interventions proposed here are also aligned to SDG 14 ?Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources?; and SDG 15 ?Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and habitat loss.
The project also seeks to address some of the key challenges and threats identified in the Shimoni-Vanga Seascape Strategy with the specific project outcomes being maintenance of ecological integrity, reducing pressure on marine resources, strengthening and diversification of livelihoods and finally the strengthening of the governance capacity of Wasini BMU.
The project is meant to address the needs of the local community members most of whom are poor and are fully dependent on these natural resources for their survival while at the same time conservation of important ecological resources through collaborative efforts with other stakeholders and the government to increase the protection of important ecological resources.