We support conservation efforts around the globe with our Ocean Grants Project. Each one aligns with our vision of creating a healthy, thriving Ocean, and our ethos of connecting people with the Ocean. In our latest blog, find out what Germark Holdings got up to as they brought together communities and stakeholders to engage in seagrass restoration activities in Tanzania.
Tanzania is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries with 55,000 confirmed species and six biodiversity hotspots. Twelve species of seagrass are found in Tanzania, with many at risk due to boating, trawling, pollution and climate change.
Since the inception of Germark Holdings, they have been restoring marine ecosystems that have been impacted by both human-made activities and climate change. Their mission is to develop innovative social programmes that address pain points to marginalised communities, whilst also generating long-term benefits to the environment. We were delighted to support them on the restoration of seagrass meadows along the coastal area of Tanzania.
What did the project involve?
The aim of the project was to facilitate communities to become leaders of restoration projects, with the aim of building climate resilient societies, through ecosystem-based adaptation programmes.
Seagrass restoration
Over the past 6 months, Germark Holdings have been working with the communities of Zinga, Dunda and Kaole in the East of Tanzania, through their Beach Management Units to plant seagrass meadows and maintain the existing ones.
Site surveys took place to understand the scope of the work, visiting degraded areas that used to support seagrass, and understanding the key drivers for degradation, so activities could be designed to either restore seagrass or prevent further loss.
To restore seagrass beds in the areas, they transplanted seagrass from meadows with a high concentration of seagrass, to areas with no, or less concentration. They were able to restore a massive 20 acres of seagrass using this method, which will provide the social, economic and environmental benefits that healthy seagrass meadows bring.
Monitoring is now a regular activity that takes place to determine the health of the planted seagrass and evaluate any interventions needed. They examine whether any growth is happening, as well as the water turbidity and salinity.
Community Engagement
Key to the success of the project was the community engagement element to raise awareness of the importance of seagrass and the restoration activities. Training sessions took place allowing members of the community to engage with the project, and assist with restoration activities, as well as help to look after the seagrass beds in their communities going forward.
Engagement also took place with stakeholders like fishermen, who learnt how to make their fishing activities more sustainable. This allows the seagrass to thrive, which in turn makes it a good breeding ground for fish, enhancing the fishermen’s livelihood.
Tourists were another key group to engage with, so they are working on a web-based app which tourists, businesses and communities will be able to use to see information about the ongoing restoration activities and provide support through donations.
