Corals are essential for a marine ecosystem. Fish and other crustaceans are attracted to reefs where they can find food, shelter and a safe space to reproduce. When corals disappear the area becomes uninteresting for aquatic animals, which results in a drain of marine life that will try to find a suited habitat somewhere else. This affects the complete ecosystem. Above water the coastal communities are dependent on fish as their main food source (70%). The beautiful coral reefs also attract tourists, which stimulates the economy through hospitality services. The current degradation of the coral reefs results in big problems for the coastal communities.
With the installation of artificial reefs and the outplanting of coral fragments the ecosystem is restored. Fish are attracted to the reefs and reproduce, resulting in fish population growth. The artificial reefs also create an interesting dive site, which attracts tourists and boosts the local economy.
Detailed map and GPS location
Imagery of your item
Video about the completed project
The coral reefs in Shimoni are in bad shape, due to unsustainable fishing methods. Restoring the coral reefs and teaching the local communities how to fish sustainably can protect the marine ecosystem, which is an important source of food and income (through diving- and related hospitality services) for the coastal communities in Kenya. With this project we plan to install 250 artificial reef modules and plant out 1000 coral fragments to create a resilient ecosystem.
With your contribution we can produce and install 0.5 reef module and plant out 2 coral fragment, which becomes a new healthy coral reef on its own in 4 - 5 years.
Upcoming Februari we will start producing the first reef modules in collaboration with the local community. In March these reefs will be installed and the first corals will be planted!
In 2021 we've launched a pilot project to research the effects of installing artificial reefs in this area. Together with the local community 100 reef modules were installed, where after small coral fragments were placed on the the results are amazing! After 3 months the coral fragments adopted the reefs as substrate and started growing. The fish count surveys indicated an increase of present fish species around the reefs and new species were also spotted (see photos below)! Now it's time to upscale this project to increase our impact!
The goal of this project is to built a local reefmodule factory including a coral nursery so the reef will keep expanding and taken care of in the future.
In the past the local communities used dynamite to catch fish. This has destroyed the coral reefs in the area, which has resulted in a biodiversity loss of 60%. Some of the coral fragments are still alive, but corals do not grow on sand. They need artificial reefs to grow on. When corals disappear the area becomes uninteresting for aquatic animals, which results in a drain of marine life that will try to find a suited habitat somewhere else. This leads to an empty ocean in an area where the communities depend on fishing as main food source.
Wageningen University & Research started a foundation where they are currently teaching local communities how to fish sustainably. Creating awareness about the importance of coral reef protection and restoration is important for the local communities to understand how their past 'dynamite tradition' is destroying their own sustainable foodsource. But creating awareness is not enough. The reefs are in need of active restoration efforts through the installation of artificial reefs. With artificial reef installation the marine ecosystem can be restored and thrive again.
ReefSystems provides innovative solutions to stimulate biodiversity and restore ecosystems. Jesse (left) focusses on the strategy, organization and sales. He has always been interested in the ocean. After scuba diving around the world, his awareness surrounding habitat loss and natures dangerous decline started growing. He teamed up with Max to create and implement solutions for these growing problems. Max (right) graduated with honors as a product designer from the ArtEZ university for higher arts in Arnhem. He grew up near the beach and has always been interested in how to protect marine life. Teaming up with marine biologist and NGO'S has been a key element in his work as an environmental designer.
The coral reefs in Shimoni are in bad shape, due to unsustainable fishing methods. Restoring the coral reefs and teaching the local communities how to fish sustainably can protect the marine ecosystem, which is an important source of food and income (through diving- and related hospitality services) for the coastal communities in Kenya. With this project we plan to install 250 artificial reef modules and plant out 1000 coral fragments to create a resilient ecosystem.
With your contribution we can produce and install 0.5 reef module and plant out 2 coral fragment, which becomes a new healthy coral reef on its own in 4 - 5 years.
Upcoming Februari we will start producing the first reef modules in collaboration with the local community. In March these reefs will be installed and the first corals will be planted!
Corals are essential for a marine ecosystem. Fish and other crustaceans are attracted to reefs where they can find food, shelter and a safe space to reproduce. When corals disappear the area becomes uninteresting for aquatic animals, which results in a drain of marine life that will try to find a suited habitat somewhere else. This affects the complete ecosystem. Above water the coastal communities are dependent on fish as their main food source (70%). The beautiful coral reefs also attract tourists, which stimulates the economy through hospitality services. The current degradation of the coral reefs results in big problems for the coastal communities.
With the installation of artificial reefs and the outplanting of coral fragments the ecosystem is restored. Fish are attracted to the reefs and reproduce, resulting in fish population growth. The artificial reefs also create an interesting dive site, which attracts tourists and boosts the local economy.
Detailed map and GPS location
Imagery of your item
Video about the completed project
In 2021 we've launched a pilot project to research the effects of installing artificial reefs in this area. Together with the local community 100 reef modules were installed, where after small coral fragments were placed on the the results are amazing! After 3 months the coral fragments adopted the reefs as substrate and started growing. The fish count surveys indicated an increase of present fish species around the reefs and new species were also spotted (see photos below)! Now it's time to upscale this project to increase our impact!
The goal of this project is to built a local reefmodule factory including a coral nursery so the reef will keep expanding and taken care of in the future.
In the past the local communities used dynamite to catch fish. This has destroyed the coral reefs in the area, which has resulted in a biodiversity loss of 60%. Some of the coral fragments are still alive, but corals do not grow on sand. They need artificial reefs to grow on. When corals disappear the area becomes uninteresting for aquatic animals, which results in a drain of marine life that will try to find a suited habitat somewhere else. This leads to an empty ocean in an area where the communities depend on fishing as main food source.
Wageningen University & Research started a foundation where they are currently teaching local communities how to fish sustainably. Creating awareness about the importance of coral reef protection and restoration is important for the local communities to understand how their past 'dynamite tradition' is destroying their own sustainable foodsource. But creating awareness is not enough. The reefs are in need of active restoration efforts through the installation of artificial reefs. With artificial reef installation the marine ecosystem can be restored and thrive again.
ReefSystems provides innovative solutions to stimulate biodiversity and restore ecosystems. Jesse (left) focusses on the strategy, organization and sales. He has always been interested in the ocean. After scuba diving around the world, his awareness surrounding habitat loss and natures dangerous decline started growing. He teamed up with Max to create and implement solutions for these growing problems. Max (right) graduated with honors as a product designer from the ArtEZ university for higher arts in Arnhem. He grew up near the beach and has always been interested in how to protect marine life. Teaming up with marine biologist and NGO'S has been a key element in his work as an environmental designer.
