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- We had 25 nests on Watamu beach this year. 3 were tagged 'renesters' which is a fantastic occurrence and shows the importance of our beach as a turtle haven as every sq inch of unspoilt beach counts now! Keeping our protected beach area pristine is a must and any support for this would be gratefully received as several presidencies are being allowed and this can only lead to serious problems in the future for turtle nesting sites, the park and last but not least plot owners who have done such an amazing job of keeping Watamu beach such a unique beach considering it is a populated residential area. Those Residents who have not cut wide paths and cleared riparian bush deserve much credit and thanks for this .
- Hotels and large groups without their own frontage who 'take over' sections of the beach and erect structures is a problem . Many front plot owners have refused to allow these people to plant themselves in front of their plots. Mida Beach is a serious problem a nd precedent.
- Local Ocean Trust / Watamu Turtle Watch has carried out 400 turtle net releases this year. 1,600 releases have been carried out in total over the last 5 years . We tag and take DNA data. This is cutting edge in the turtle world!
- We have a rehab tank with periodic patients. If anyone is interested in seeing these turtles please don't hesitate to call and find out when to come or if we have one!
- If anyone would like to see a turtle release during their holiday please leave their plot number and period they will be there at the Marine Centre at Watamu Supermarket. We will try our best to bring turtles for release to people's plots or inform you when we get one.
- We are looking into the reasons for the amazing increase in rubbish on our beaches this last year and so far we think it is because of the reopening of the rubbish dump in Mombasa at the Makupa causeway. We are still investigating. In the mean time if every beach plot resident cleaned as much rubbish of their frontage every day , it would make a huge difference. PLEASE do not then dig a hole and bury rubbish on the beach! This does absolutely no good as it will be eroded and return. (A big hole has been dug on the beach and half filled with rubbish but not covered over. This is extremely dangerous esp for people walking in the dark!)
- Of Mida Creek's 7 landing sites we work with 6 and they have all established their own representational fishing groups . All are trying to encourage good fishing practice laws. It will be a long process but it is very gratifying to see how these groups co-operate with us and many have a genuine will to make changes and see the long term problems if they do not act responsibly. Fish poisoning, undersized netting, turtle slaughter etc. are all reported to us on a regular basis by fishermen and as the figures show they are extremely co-operative with our turtle release programme. Most of our release turtles come from the creek, thus showing how incredibly important a feeding, breeding and refuge area this is and undoubtedly for many other species as well.
- Some large groups have caused serious rubbish problems in the creek (esp Sudi Island) and sadly encouraged a 'beach boy' ethic in this area during their visits of which we have received complaints. Many creek dwellers are interested in low impact eco tourism and it is hoped that this will take off next year and receive support.
- PLEASE could everyone remove their rubbish when visiting picnic sites .
- Sudi Island can be booked for exclusive use with KWS for a fee.
- We would ask that people make an effort to drive boats sensibly and courteously . The creek is a confined area with only a very small deep channel. With little control this area is an accident waiting to happen. Please take care.
- A last plea! PLEASE could we encourage residents to report any weird and wonderful things they see on the beach and in the sea. We rely on information good and bad! (and please as accurate and in depth as possible! vague reports are no use) Many people report having seen something weeks or months before. It is essential that we get the information as soon as possible. Especially important are abuses . KWS is going through a very difficult time. A way we can help is to assist with monitoring. Please report to the Local Ocean Trust as well as KWS. We assist KWS by documenting the problems and trying to encourage or help them find a way to deal with these. Commercial fishing is NOT permitted within the marine reserve. At the present time Octopus collectors (based mostly at Uyombo) and Marine Aquarium Fish collectors for instance, we know are operating within the reserve. Large fishing nets within the reserve are a huge problem which many of us are trying to get KWS to come out with a policy on.......... If you see something let us know! Thank you to all of you who do report to us.
- We are working very closely with the Watamu Beach Volunteer Group. This group wears yellow T-shirts and do an huge amount of good. We help with regular beach and village clean ups. They are fed up with the state of Watamu and are using their own initiative, all voluntary, not only to clean up, but are anti dug abuse, soliciting and harassment on the beach and lots of other good things. They really are worth supporting. Some of us could learn a lot from these amazing people.
- RING NETTING . Contrary to what a lot of people believe, ring netting has not been banned but only suspended within only Malindi District. After several meetings and a lot of behind the scences lobbying, at the end of November every landing site from Ngonemi to Watamu voted against ring netting! The fact that Malindi and Mayungu, who were supposedly the strongest supporters of ring netting voted against was amazing. This shows the importance of fishing groups and giving ordinary people a chance to speak out without intimidation. Whilst the Fisheries Dept still insists that this practice is not detrimental, they could be licensing a method which IS against the law as reports seem to show that the nets are undersized. The press and especially the Nation, for reasons best known to themselves, keep reporting that Ring netting is supported by the majority of fishermen and that it is a good modern way to fish. Support is needed! We will continue to lobby and try to ensure that the pressure is kept up.
- Our Plot is about to be fenced and we hope to start developing it in January. This will be a unique initiative and will be very much a community project . Any 'Eco' ideas of building or developing our plot are more than welcome and of course when it is finished we sincerely hope that Watamu residences from all walks of life will look upon it as 'their centre'. If anyone would like more information or feel you would like to help please let us know. There are many ways which individuals and businesses could get involved . On the corporate level, sponsorship and direct involvement could be mutually beneficial and very exciting . Please think about it. In Kenya corporate involvement in this kind of project is not common, but it is a wonderful way for corporates to be involved in work that reaches literally hundreds of people, policy development and care for the environment for the benifit of all. It would be great if companies who work in Watamu or benifit from business in the area felt they could get involved. The coast has been long forgotten and we really are struggling from ground zero. The Local Ocean Centre will give many groups all along the coast a chance to let their voice be heard, learn from ideas and to try and develop our beautiful and bountiful coast into a real example to the rest of the world...........
- Thank you so much to all of you that have supported us this year. Every little bit helps.
- Please send this on to anyone you think might be interested.
May we wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. from all at the Local Ocean |
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