Though many key fished species are seagrass-associated, and seagrass dominates the seascape, current seagrass protection is minimal.
Protecting Seagrass for Blue Carbon in Kwale County, Kenya – Wildlife Conservation Society
Restoring Seagrass for Climate, Biodiversity, and Livelihoods
Seagrass ecosystems are essential for sustaining local fisheries in Kwale County, Kenya. However, this region uses a lot of illegal fishing gear, including beach seine nets, which threaten fisheries and severely damage seagrass.
Project Info
Location
BNC focus
Blue Carbon – seagrass restoration
Funding duration
12 months (2021 – 2021)
Project Partner
More information
Podcast
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Empowering communities to restore seagrass and drive blue carbon solutions
This Initiative, led by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), supports two communities, Vanga and Jimbo, in restoring and protecting seagrasses by selling carbon credits in the transboundary area between Kenya and Tanzania.
This new project builds on a successful blue carbon program based on mangrove restoration and protection and extends it to seagrass beds. The income generated supports community water and sanitation, education, and conservation efforts.
With the support of the BNCFF, at least 300 ha of seagrass beds in Vanga Bay will be protected by the local communities, and carbon credits sold to voluntary carbon markets using the Plan Vivo system and standard. Despite the relatively small size of the focus area, there is considerable scaling potential. In addition, seagrass beds have been largely overlooked in the blue carbon discussion so far, and project success can pave the way for more holistic approaches covering those ecosystems critical for climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and community livelihoods.
How BNCFF supports the endeavour
WCS and KMFRI are working with government agencies and local communities to map fishing patterns and seagrass habitats, identify new sites for seagrass closures, and assess seagrass carbon stocks and sequestration potential. BNCFF is funding measures that address threats from unsustainable fishing practices to seagrass conservation. BNCFF funding also supports incorporating seagrass in a Blue Carbon Initiative in Southern Kenya, identifying new sites for seagrass closures, and assessing seagrass carbon stocks and sequestration potentials. Overall, it aims to work toward establishing new seagrass conservation areas.
Impacts created
Nature
This initiative strengthens the conservation of blue carbon ecosystems, focusing on seagrass restoration. Establishing one of the first community-managed closures promotes biodiversity, protects critical habitats, and supports ecosystem resilience essential for marine life and fisheries.
People
The project delivers diverse benefits, including improved fishery stocks, enhanced climate resilience, and community empowerment. Income generated from carbon credits supports essential services such as water and sanitation, education, and conservation, fostering sustainable livelihoods and well-being.
Business
Under the VBF framework, seagrass carbon is quantified and integrated with mangrove carbon. The added income from carbon trading incentivizes communities to protect and restore vital ecosystems while contributing to long-term conservation and financial sustainability.
Calls for Proposals
There are no open calls for proposals. Sign up for email alerts to be notified of the next call and receive updates on BNCFF and BCAF projects, lessons learned, and more, or email us at bluenaturalcapital@iucn.org.
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