As International Year of the Dolphin is extended by UNEP / CMS in to 2008 to build on the remarkable acievements of last year, Kenya Widlife Service and other stakehloders in Kenya are taking the message of marine conservation to new audiences and new communities.

Above: Majoreni Dolphin Club is launched, their first task to plant the mangrove saplings visible behind them 

Yesterday took us to to Majoreni, half way between Shimoni and the border with Tanzania, and another poor rural fishing community that is willing to think long term and look after their natural resources. The event saw children from Shimoni, Mkwiro and Wasini schools journey down to spread the messages they learnt last year of dolphin conservation, and the students of schools in Majoreni and neighbouring Vanga perform equally impressive and educational songs and drama. 

Above: Majoreni’s school kids receive dolphin education books, kindly sponsored by TUI, UNEP/CMS and Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society

But the adults are also playing their role, the fishermen having taken the time and effort to receive education on responsible fishing practices - this will be backed by a fishing gear exchange porgramme. And the adult drama group performed a play to highlight the threats to dolphins and spread the message to the whole communtiy, many of whom stood in the rain, then hot sun, all morning to watch the event. 

A local celebrity was also on hand to spread the word - the local celebrated poet and village elder performed an inspiring traditional swahili style poem that touched both local community members and international guests. 

And the guests were not just there to observe - the first thing we did was to get our hands dirty planting tree seedlings at the local school, under the guidance of the Kenya Forestry Service - a sustainable alternative to the ecologically important mangroves which are traditionally cut for local construction.

Above: Robert Hepworth, Executive Secretary, CMS, planting bamboo - nicknamed locally as the fisherman’s friend, for it’s diverse uses

Another very successful day, the out-of-the-way community of Majoreni were excited to be the centre of attention and to have had so many visitors in the preceeding weeks coming to provide free and valuable education to them. It was an exciting day for all, including my new buddy, Saidi, below, who learnt a bit of photography from me and has welcomed me back to visit their mangroves next time… I can’t wait to go back and see the progress! 

help us and share this