Return of GVI and Year of the Dolphin

Return of GVI and Year of the Dolphin

Category: Community Conservation, Dolphins, Environmental Education | Date: Apr 20 2008 | By: admin

Above: local school children are treated to a trip to Kisite Marine Park to look for dolphins

Firstly, you may have noticed I’ve been a bit quiet on WildlifeDirect these last few months, sadly the unrest in Kenya forced us to take a break, but I’m very pleased to report that GVI is back in Shimoni and preparing to get the research started again.

Above: Lionel Murage from East Africa Wildlife Society addresses the local communities at Year of the Dolphin in Shimoni

Until then I’d like to keep you updated with all the hard work that has been underway in our absence. 2007 was designated ‘Year of the Dolphin’ by UNEP’s Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), an initiative to stimulate international awareness and conservation action. So successful was it, especially right here in Kenya, that it has been extended in 2008.

Above: Robert Hepworth, Executive Secretary CMS, and Yussef Adan, KWS Warden of Kisite Marine Park talk with the local boat operators

Last year focussed heavily on teaching the kids, the future guardians of Kenya’s wildlife, but also saw the introduction by Kenya Widlife Service of the first ‘Code of Conduct’ to address dolphin-watching tourism. This year, emphasis is being placed on educating and engaging the local fishermen and tour boat crews, the ones who can make a difference today.

Above: local boat operators ready to receive their certificates after attending workshops and lectures on dolphins and responsible tourism by Kenya Wildlife Service

On Saturday, Kenya Wildlife Service head quarters for the Kisite Mpunguti Marine Protected Area hosted a wonderful event to link last year in to this year’s activities, attended by the CMS Executive Secretary, Robert Hepworth. The event saw the launch of a new KWS patrol boat to monitor repsonsible dolphin tourism, certificates for the local boat operators and fishermen who have given up their time to sit through some thorough dolphin education, a trip in to the marine park to see dolphins for many of the local children who have been the most avid young conservationists and the launch of new ‘Dolphin Clubs’ in 15 local schools to promote coastal conservation and environmental awareness.

Above: The new KWS dolphin patrol boat

In addition to hard work and commitment from KWS, ably supported by Rachel, our former GVI Marine Science Officer and Expedition Manager, the Kenya Forestry Service, Fisheries Department and Kenya Marine & Fisheries Research Institute have all been involved. With support coming from major tour operators and many local boat operators, it all goes to show that Kenya’s commitment to conservation at every level certainly hasn’t been disrupted!

Above: Rachel joins some of the local school children on Kisite Island in the Marine Park

Above: Mkwiro Primary School perform dolphin acrobatics alongside thier song ‘Conserve our Dolphins’

I had a wonderful day, with many songs and performances from the local school children to keep us entertained… the highlight for all of us was the official inauguration of the Dolphin Clubs, the kids putting on a full marching drill after an intensive day’s training from the KWS rangers…

Above: Inauguration of the new school Dolphin Clubs

2 Responses to “Return of GVI and Year of the Dolphin”

Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL, on 20 Apr 2008

Such enthusiasm is contagious! That’s one nice boat, too. Good to hear of the support from the government and the locals, as this is crucial to protecting your marine life. We learned from the Whale Shark blog, that this time of year, it’s difficult to spot those creatures, due to choppy seas and rough weather. Does this hold true for your dolphins as well? Also, I’d be very interested to hear if you have any desalination plants in your area; what impact they may be having on the fragile eco system and marine life. Great post and terrific pictures! Thanks.

GVI Kenya, on 21 Apr 2008

Hi Theresa, thank you for your interest and your enthusiasm aswell! It is essential to have both Kenyan governmental authorities and the local commnities not just supporting conservation but taking an active lead in it. The most exciting aspect for me, is the way this campaign has united so many people and organisations.
Indeed the choppy seas do make it difficult for us to see the dolphins, we rely on scanning the water surface to spot their dorsal fins and backs breaking it as they breathe - when the swell (waves) is high and the wind stirs up whitecaps, it can be very difficult to notice the subtle movements of the dolphins.
We do not currently have any deslaination plants in the area although one is being proposed for Wasini Island and we will all be insisting on an ecological impact assessment. But it must be remembered that the people of Wasini Island, and now even Shimoni village have no direct access to fresh water. In Mkwiro where we are based, once the rain water is gone, they must buy water form the mainland and carry it across in their canoes, and so provision of safe drinking water is an absolute priority for the people here. I have to drive 10km to another village to fill up containers of fresh water, now that the supply to Shimoni has run dry, and I’m fortunate to have a car to do the hardwork for me!

Trackback URI | Comments RSS