The overall project objective is to “a more aware and knowledgeable community working towards sustainable management and conservation of coastal and marine resources along the Kenya coast”.
The specific project objectives are
i) Raise awareness on conservation of threatened species such as the dolphin and other threatened marine mammals through awareness and education programs in Shimoni, Majoreni and Vanga,
ii) develop a dolphin and other marine mammals conservation and management action plan to focus conservation initiatives targeting dolphins and other threatened marine mammals in the South coast, Kenya,
iii) support the establishment of a dolphin conservation trust fund to ensure sustainability of conservation initiatives.
Key activities include
i) trainings for boat and excursion tour operators on dolphin watch safari,
ii) production of education and awareness materials,
iii) establishment of dolphin club members (cubs) in 10 schools i.e. Twaka, Kichakamkwanju, Shimoni, Wasini, Majoreni, Mkwiro, Vanga, Perani, Mzizima and Matunda,
iii) production and distribution of the Dolphin Watch Code of Conduct and
iv) conduct beach and village clean-ups in Shimoni, Majoreni and Vanga.
Key achievements to date are production of awareness materials such as T-shirts, posters and pamphlets, support to the launch event held in Shimoni and Majoreni on 19th and 20th April, 2008 as well support for the training of schoolchildren, fishers and local dolphin safaris boat operators on marine ecology, cetacean conservation and biology and sustainable fisheries.
A total of 10 Dolphin Clubs have been formed within the Shimoni-Vanga region and the development of a dolphin code of conduct and support for a beach and village clean up in Vanga on 20th November as part of the activities to celebrate the World Fisheries Field Day. Key challenges in the implementation of the program is sustainable and limited funding available for implementation of project activities as funding most of the funding was for only one year (2008) with additional limited funding from Project AWARE.
Supporting development partners:
Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) and Project AWARE