A new awareness campaign on better fishing methods to conserve environment has been launched in Watamu, Kilifi County.
The conservation efforts is being done by a group in Watamu and is meant to sensitize community members living within the marine park and Mida creek on proper way of conserving the species for sustainable development.
A Rocha Kenya which has been in the forefront in conserving the Mida creek and Arabuko Sokoke forest organized a fishing competition to enlighten the local fishermen on proper fishing methods so as to make them aware that they can get income without using bad fishing methods that are harmful to the sea life.
Reports indicate that there are marine species such as the Shark, Rays and guitarfish which are threatened due to bad fishing methods.
In the competition organized at Mida creek eight fishermen drawn from all the landing sites within the creek participated and used the local canoes in the fishing expedition.
A Rocha Kenya Marine Environment Education Officer Queen Elizabeth said they have also been doing awareness campaigns together with Kenya Wildlife Service in schools and the community around so as to enlighten them on the need to conserve the marine ecosystem.
Speaking during the fishing expedition organized at the Mida creek which is also a major ecotourism site that attracts hundreds of tourists she said they want the community to be aware that conservation pays.
“If we go around and create awareness among the community, we let them know the importance of these species, so we organized a community event and our winner’s name tag is Shark,” she said.
Apart from awareness she said they want to raise the profession of fishing as most of people don’t know what fishermen go through in the ocean while doing fishing.
She said their plan is to ensure the competition becomes an annual event to also raise the profile of Watamu marine national park and reserve.
Elizabeth called on all other conservationists and lovers of environment to join hands in ensuring that there is awareness of conserving the Mida creek and national reserve.
“We know the mother ocean the mother environment and for the youths who are listening kindly when you hear this for the little passion that you have let you know that for the future mama mazingira is always our mother and we should conserve it,” she said.
She said they have training sessions for schools, colleges and universities and called on all learning institution to take advantage and take their kids to learn about conservation and their marine programs.
Apart from the sensitization she said the event was also an opportunity to market the Mida creek which is a major tourist attraction so that more visitors can come for bird watching, boardwalk, mangrove watch, canoe rides among other excursions organized by youth.
Sadam Pande the Chairman Mida Creek conservation and awareness Group which has 30 members said their groups works mainly on ecotourism and conservation of the creek.
At the Mida creek he said they have a restaurant which specializes on sea foods and make good foods that always attract tourists both local and foreign.
“We are happy today Arocha Kenya has organized a fishing competition here it’s the first time they organized such an event and its helping create awareness on proper methods of fishing, “he said.
He called on people from all over Kenya and the world to visit Mida creek and shall have a wide range of activities including a tour of garden of Eden which is a popular attraction in the creek.
Daniel Kazungu who also works for Arocha Kenya said the competition would motivate fishermen on how to get money from fishing as some people think fishing is a job which people cannot earn money from.
He said they will be able also to learn how to use proper fishing gear and at the same time get income from the fish.
“Most people here depend on fishing and ecotourism including canoe riding, bird watching and all that we do so as to conserve the creek, “he said.
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