Establishment of a second coral farm and expansion of reforestation

24.12.2018

For the first time, one of the large luxury hotels in Zanzibar is becoming active in marine conservation and making a sustainable contribution to the island’s marine ecosystems

Zuri Zanzibar is a new high-end hotel in Kendwa on the northwest coast with 55 bungalows, suites and beach villas. Zuri is already involved in waste disposal in the adjacent village and now wants to become active in marine protection. Most of the guests come to Zanzibar because of the beaches and the underwater world. Instead of only maintaining a beautiful garden like all other hotels, Zuri Zanzibar is also committed to the coral reefs on the northwest coast of Zanzibar. In the coming years we will initiate the second coral farm on Zanzibar together with the community of Kendwa and begin with the reforestation of the damaged coral reefs.

At the moment Mussa and Nuru, two young fishermen from Kendwa, are in Jambiani and learn the craft from our coral farmers. They receive an overview of the various problems of the coral reefs. They are taught about the links between biodiversity and threatened fish populations, about climate change, increasing pollution and overfishing or damage to mangrove forests and seagrass areas. Further topics we cover are the harmful effects of tourism on the reefs and what to do to mitigate the damage.


Mussa and Nuru from Kendwa during lessons in Jambiani

Early 2019 we aim to start with the reforestation of the coral farm and in the medium term also involve the community of Kendwa as well as the guests of Zuri Zanzibar in the project. The hotel guests can, for example, acquire sponsorships for coral seedlings, support the training of local employees or actively participate in farming activities themselves. It is therefore a matter of building awareness and commitment for the coral reefs.

We are also pleased that our base in Jambiani is being used as a training centre for the first time and we hope that the project will set a precedent. In addition to Zuri Zanzibar, we are supported in this project by coralreefcare.com, AB Aqua Medic GmbH and the Zoo Basel. We hope to find further funding partners who are willing to join. We plan to submit an application for City of Zurich municipal development funds. The destruction of corals today is comparable to the deforestation of Swiss forests at the end of the 19th century. This development was halted at the time by the Swiss Forest Act. In the case of coastal corals, it is also a question of who protects, maintains and supports this biosphere.

<< back