In a ground-breaking collaboration, &Beyond, the conservation-focused luxury travel business, has joined forces with the Zanzibar government to address the rising dangers to the coral reefs that surround the Mnemba Atoll, home to one of the brand's best luxury villas.
The coral outcrops encircling Mnemba have been under stress due to growing pressures from coastal population growth, tourism expansion, and climate-related difficulties. Recognising the urgency, Jonathan Braack, &Beyond Group Sustainability Manager, emphasises the need to intervene for reef preservation and regeneration.
The Mnemba Island Marine Special Area was established as a result of a collaboration between &Beyond, Zanzibar's Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries, and the Mnemba Island Conservation Area (MIMCA). This restricted zone improves protective measures, promoting coral reef conservation and rejuvenation. Importantly, a conservation charge handled by MIMCA will help local fishing communities, providing a critical source of supplemental revenue.
The defensive measures cover a radius of 400 to 700 metres around the island. The programme, implemented through a permit system and levies, regulates tourist boat activity, ensuring sustainable contact with the delicate maritime habitat. The area is restricted to particular hours and does not allow anchoring. A maximum of eight boats per day, each with seven tourists and two crew members, can reach the area.
This deliberate action has significant benefits for conservation and the local community. It promotes increased biodiversity of fish and coral, facilitates reef health recovery, supports existing coral restoration projects, increases tourism value, fosters local livelihoods, provides community education, ensures food security through additional fishing potential, and contributes to the overall prosperity of Zanzibar's Blue Economy.
&Beyond Mnemba Island is not a newcomer to coral conservation initiatives. Actively participating in the Oceans Without Borders (OWB) Coral Reef Restoration project, which began in 2021, the company, in collaboration with Africa Foundation, concentrated on revitalising the Mnemba House Reef, a vigour place for divers and snorkelers.
The first step of the research involves building a coral nursery where fragments from healthier reefs are grown into robust colonies. These colonies are now ready to be transplanted back into the reef, assisting in its recovery. Recognising the economic relevance of local operators, &Beyond is not only repopulating damaged areas of the Mnemba House Reef, but also constructing artificial reef structures outside the restricted zone. These structures, which feature healthy corals, aim to relieve pressure on the protected region while also providing fresh attractions for local dive boats.
Jonathan Braack says, "It is yet another way in which we hope to partner with local government, communities, and other stakeholders to ensure the protection and sustainability of Zanzibar's marine resources long into the future."
a. andBeyond Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania
w. www.andbeyond.com/our-lodges/indian-ocean-islands
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