The Socioeconomic Impacts of Coral Reef Rehabilitation: Coastal Community Perspectives from Wasini in the South Coast Of Kenya

Abstract

Coral reefs are highly diverse and productive ecosystems that serve many functions to coastal communities around the globe. In the coast of Kenya, corals are important as a source of livelihood and contribute in various ways to oceanic production, tourism, recreation and coastal protection. The subsistence and commercial use of coral reef resources in Kenya has persisted for centuries, resulting to increasing pressure from anthropogenic stress. Activities that have caused this stress along the coastline continue to be: destructive fishing methods, coral and sand mining for construction, pollution, and tourism. The socioeconomic impact of rehabilitated coral reef in Wasini Island was assessed in 2018 following successful rehabilitation undertaken in 2011. Purposive sampling was done in the villages of Wasini Island and Kijiweni. Data was collected by direct observation, semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Data analysis involved computation of descriptive statistics and content analysis. The findings show that the coral restoration efforts on Wasini Island generated significant benefits to the local residents and the environment. Majority of the respondents (55%) had primary level education thus able to read and write. The average weekly household income from all traditional sources combined was 623 Kenya Shillings (USD 6) higher than average weekly household income prior to coral rehabilitation thus showing the importance of the intervention. Benefits identified from coral rehabilitation included increased availability of fish (30%), increased income (18%), increased tourist attraction (17%), improved community welfare (14%), improved marine environment (5%), and creation of habitat for fish (3%). In addition, the initiative has promoted social integration among local residents. In a noticeable departure from past practices, where gender roles were clearly defined and strictly adhered to, the coral rehabilitation project has led to increased community cohesion as both men and women, young and old equally incorporated into rehabilitation activities.