Marine Conservation

by Viva Vipingo on 26/10/2021

Turtle Conservation

Vipingo’s Bureni Beach, is a very important Marine Conservation area, and one of Kenya’s Premier Turtle Conservation Beaches. Bureni Turtle Watch was started in 2008 to protect endangered sea-turtles. Female Green Turtles lay their nests, generally at night, above the high-tide mark and were being poached for their eggs. Now Bureni Turtle Watch’s very experienced team is monitoring these beaches, nests are marked and protected during incubation, by the local fishermen, and they ensure that great care is undertaken that the hatchlings reach the sea free from predators, such as birds and crabs. During the 2016 nesting season, 113 nests were laid along the Bureni Beach and over 10,500 Green Turtle hatchlings were born and made their way safely to the sea. Wherever possible turtles are tagged so that their migratory patterns can be monitored. Over the years many female green turtles have been tagged, 3 of which had satellite tags fitted so resarchers were able to monitor the individuals. This information, together with the nesting data, is passed onto both Kenyan and International Conservation groups such as KWS, WWF and WCS.

With 10 years experience the Bureni Turtle Watch Group has made a significant impact along the Kenya Coast and is fast gaining international recognition.

 
The team has also secured a ‘No Take Zone’ whereby the fishermen are protecting an area of the sea and corals where no fishing is allowed. This allows the fish to grow and breed and the corals too are able to recover. The changes and improvement to the quantity and quality of the fish at this sites is remarkable and in a further 2-3 year’s time these areas, which are clearly marked, will show significant signs of recovery. Snorkeling is welcome but respect our local communities and only leave your footprints on the beach and refrain from taking any fish, coral, shells or other marine life from our beautiful beaches and protected marine areas.

Humpback Whale Migration

At certain times of the year in August – October, The unforgettable sight of migrating Humpback Whales, often with young calves, may be seen heading for their feeding grounds in the Southern Indian Ocean. Sightings are really good from the holiday homes along Bureni Beach in Vipingo as the reef is very close to the beach and often the whales use the reef as protection for their young. Visitors and Residents often congregate together on the beach to marvel at a whale breaching off the shore-line; a memory that will last a lifetime. Local researchers monitor the whales and report their sightings to an International Whale Conservation and Monitoring Group based in Tanzania.

The Bureni Turtle Watch and fishermen community and marine conservation group is a community-based initiative bringing together artisans, fishers and residents from Bureni Community with a goal to promote sustainable utilization and management of marine resources in the area. If you are interested in volunteering in Kenya with a community based marine conservation group please contact us directly through this website.