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BLUE ECONOMY AND BLUE FINANCE | 39

TENGEFU, A MODEL DEVELOPED IN KENYA
Live from Kenya, representing the Kuruwitu Conservation
and Welfare Association, Remmy Safari and Katana
Ngala presented a conservation project run by coastal
communities in East Africa in Swahili, fisherman Katana
Ngala, vice-president of the Kenyan association, explains
in detail the "Kuruwitu experience" of collaborative
reef management by coastal fishermen. Faced with
multiple challenges (food security, overfishing, reef
degradation, limited technical support, etc.), a
range of solutions have been implemented:
coral restoration, with 8,000 young corals
replanted since 2018, involvement of women,
reinforcement of the traditional Tengefu
practice of establishing conservation areas to
limit the decline in fish stocks. "Since 2006, we
have seen a 400% increase in biomass, a 30%
increase in reef recovery and a 17% increase in
restored seagrass beds in several areas. And that goes
hand in hand with food security and the development of
ecotourism", explains Katana Ngala, who is hopeful that
Kuruwitu's collaborative and inclusive model will continue
to spread. "We're trying to promote solutions that can
be replicated across Africa and around the world,"
adds Remmy Safari, referring to the programmes under
development, such as the Women 4 Oceans Programme,
awareness-raising initiatives for young people and a
permaculture project, all of which need support.

© Mercy Mbogho - Ledama Masiza