At least fifteen Kwale-based groups working on marine conservation and other Ocean related projects are set to benefit from financial support to enable them accelerate their conservation efforts.
The efforts spearheaded by an environmental and nature conservation organisation , Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), the prime implementor of the Conservation programs, will see over fifteen community groups working in the conservation sector benefit from grants to advance their conservation efforts.
CANCO Marine and Fisheries Resource Program Manager, Richard Matano Bemaronda said the program implemented under the Small Grants Program (SGP) of the United Nation (UN), will see the groups working in the marine conservation sector benefit from between 1.5 million shillings to 3 million shillings.
With our partners among them the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), a total of eight groups have already received different amounts of the grant and are in this January, 2025 executing their marine conservation projects.
“The other groups are in the vetting phase of their applications for the grants and they will as well receive the financial assistance so that we all achieve our objective of conserving our marine surroundings. In this phase we are targeting a total of 15 conservation groups,” said Mr Bemaronda.
The efforts are mostly focusing on the Kwale Sea-Scape that encomprises of Shimoni-Vanga Sea-Scape that also includes Bodo-Funzi Beach Management Units (BMUs).
The Bodo-Mwandamo BMU consists of over six BMUs and Shimoni-Vanga bay incorporates of over seven BMUs.
The financial support also calls for the implementing community organisations to contribute half of the amount and the donor contributed similar amount. This according to the funders enhances accountability and dedication.
“We have a youth group for example known as Mchongo. This group works on enlightening the youth and the community at large on the importance of marine conservation. When the communities are directly involved in conserving the Indian Ocean, fishing activities will improve since the mangroves and corals which are fish breeding spaces will be fully protected,” added the CANCO Marine and Fisheries Resource Program Manager.
A conservation group, Jimbo Mradi from Vanga Bay in Lungalunga Sub county which has already benefitted from Ksh. 2.6 million in phase 7 of the grants disbursement is implementing see grass and eco-tourism projects.
Jimbo Mradi Chairperson, Mwambwiza Tuweni said the efforts have brought area communities close to marine conservation activities, fully understanding the importance of participating in protecting the Indian Ocean and it’s vast resources.
“If you fully involve the community, explain to them why you are demarcating a section of the Indian ocean to plant see grass for their financial gains, the communities will definitely embrace the projects that’s why we have succeeded in these marine conservation initiatives,” said Mr Tuweni.
On her part, a youth, Mariam Omar who is in charge of waste management at Bodo Management Unit says CANCO has enlightened the youth, triggering them to fully venture into marine conservation activities.
“By partnering with CANCO we will achieve our objectives of castigating dangerous fishing practices, invest in various marine conservation so that we reap big from our efforts and as well safeguard the Indian Ocean. No opportunities will slip our hands,” said Mariam.
The marine conservation efforts are spearhead by Community Action for Nature Conservation (CANCO), through the Small Grants Program of the UN, under the Global Environmental Facility with CANCO also being the Strategic Partner, Africa Nature Organisation.
