A group of women on Kenya’s Wasini Island are leading a coral reef restoration initiative that is rehabilitating marine ecosystems and supporting sustainable tourism. Located within a prominent marine reserve south of Diani, the reef had suffered extensive damage due to rising sea temperatures and illegal fishing, with a Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) study showing two-thirds of coral cover near collapse just three years ago.
In response, the women began manually restoring coral using community-based techniques, resulting in the repopulation of key fish species and the revival of over 3,000 coral colonies. Supported by the Kenya Coastal Development Project, the initiative has helped triple fish numbers in protected areas and spillover benefits are now reaching adjacent waters. Complementary efforts include seaweed planting to stabilise the seabed and enhance fish nurseries. The project is not only reviving marine biodiversity but also strengthening ecotourism as a vital income source for local communities.
