Zanzibar, Tanzania

Chumbe Island Coral ParkConservation and Education

Status Report2015

Index

Foreword………………………………………………………………………………… 3

Introduction CHICOP…………………………………………………………………... 4

Part I: Conservation Programs………………………………………………………. 5

Conservation News………………………………………………………………. 6

Management Plan 2006 – 2016…………………………………………………. 7

Key Values of the MPA…………………………………………………………… 8

Chumbe Reef Sanctuary (CRS) ………………………………………………… 9

Borders of the CRS ………………………………………………………………. 10

Tresspassing ……………………………………………………………………… 11

Fauna in the CRS…………………………………………………………………. 12

Monitoring Programs……………………………………………………………… 13

Coral Reef Monitoring…………………………………………………………….. 14

Monitoring results: Fish communities ………………………......……………… 15

Monitoring results: Sea urchins …………………………………………………. 16

Monitoring results: Crown-of-thorns starfish …………………………………… 17

Seagrass monitoring……………………………………………………………… 18

Closed Forest Habitat (CFH) ……………………………………………………. 19

Birds………………………………………………………………………………… 20

Bats………………………………………………………………………………….. 22

Ader’s Duiker……………………………………………………………………….. 23

Coconut Crab………………………………………………………………………. 24

Conferences………………………………………………………………………. 25

Research…………………………………………………………………………... 26 To be cited as:Kloiber, U. 2015. Chumbe Island Coral Park - Conservation and Education, Status report 2015. 1-38, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Part II: Environmental Education……………………………………………………...27

Management Plan 2006-2016…………………………………………………… 28

Chumbe Field Excursions…………………………………………………………29

Educational Outcomes……………………………………………………………. 30

The Chumbe Challenge………………………………………………………….. 31

Community Outreach …………………………………………………………….. 32

Zinduka……………….……………………………………………………………. 33

Celebration of International Events……………………………………………... 34

Staff Training……………………………………………………………………… 35

Ramadan Rangers……………………………………………………………….. 36

Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………...37

References………………………………………………………………………………...38

Chumbe Reef Sanctuary. Photo by Markus Meissl.

Foreword

Chumbe Island Coral Park, Ltd. (CHICOP), establishedin 1992 as a private non-profit company, just offZanzibar Island in Tanzania, is a unique example ofsuccessful Marine Protected Area (MPA) managementthrough income generation from eco-tourism. Eventhough our nature reserve is small, many interestingprojects have been implemented by CHICOP’sConservation and Education team and are presentedin this 2015 status report.

Over the last two years, Chumbe has further evolved inresponse to our ever changing, dynamic world. Ourresearch findings suggest that through ourconservation efforts, the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary hasbeen able to maintain it’s health and biodiversitystatus, and we are also proud of our education efforts:over 1500 students have visited Chumbe Island foreducation purposes since 2012. We can not think of abetter location to educate and inspire our futureleaders about environmental conservation.

One thing that differentiates Chumbe from mostprojects with social, rather than financial goals, is thatwe don’t receive donor funds for our core activities.Therefore, I would like to thank all our guests thatdecide to visit our project - without them there would beno conservation and education programs!

An exciting season 2015/16 is ahead of us and it is thecollective passion of each one of our team membersthat drives Chumbe and inspires ourguests, regardless if they are tourists, Zanzibaristudents or community members.

We hope to see you soon!

Ulli Kloiber & TeamConservation and Education Manager

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A major part of sustainable conservation of nature isthe education of people that live in and next to it. InZanzibar, there is a big lack of knowledge about theimportance of environmental issues. Within theChumbe Education Program, we strongly supportEducation for Sustainable Development(ESD), which is a lifelong learning process. ThroughESD, CHICOP helps students and communitymembers to develop the knowledge, skills and actioncompetence needed to create and sustain a viablefuture for human and all forms of life in Zanzibar andon the planet. Thus the Chumbe Education Programcontributes to the millennium development goalsespecially on resource management and strategiesfor addressing poverty. We are happy to present youthe proceedings we have achieved during the pasttwo years.

Khamis Khalfan Juma and Enock KayagambeEnvironmental Educators

I started to work on Chumbe as a marine park rangerin September 1992. At that time the Chumbe projectwas just a concept with its main dream to protect thereef and the forest for conservation and educationactivities. Twenty three years later I am happy to saythat the dream has become reality. After years andyears educating fishermen about the benefits ofprotecting a coral reef, we have observed anincrease in awareness amongst fishermen. TheChumbe Reef Sanctuary has remained as one of themost spectacular coral gardens in the world, and weare proud to present our conservation efforts withinthe following status report.

Omari Nyange AmeHead Ranger

Chumbe Island is situated 12 km Southwest of Stonetown, Unguja, Zanzibarand 6 km from the nearest point on the Unguja coast (Chukwani).Latitude/Longitude: 6 16' S; 39 10' E. It is one amongst several MPA’s inTanzania, but the only MPA amongst four conservation areas in Zanzibar. TheChumbe MPA closely borders the Menai Bay Conservation Area.

Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd (CHICOP) has been registered in Zanzibar in1992 for the sole purpose of establishing and managing the park. Companyobjectives are non-commercial, while operations follow commercial principles.CHICOP is registered as a MPA with the UNEP-World ConservationMonitoring Centre (WCMC) in Cambridge/UK and was also distinguished asMember of the UNEP Global500 Forum in 2000.

The nature reserve includes the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary (gazetted in 1994), aClosed Forest Habitat, a Visitors Centre and an Eco-Lodge. Management isbased on consecutive Management Plans 1995-2005 and 2006-2016 (forproject details see www.chumbeisland.com).

A key reason for CHICOP's early establishment, investment proposal andcampaigning to gazette the Chumbe MPA was the observation of highbiodiversity value s, in both the reef and forest habitat.

Permitted uses of the marine park include recreation(swimming, snorkelling, underwater photography), education and research.Extractive and destructive activities, such as fishing, anchorage, collection ofspecimen (even for research) are not allowed. Research is co-ordinated withthe Institute of Marine Sciences of the University of Dar es Salaam andregulated by the Chumbe Island Management Plans 1995-2005 and 2006-2016.

Introduction CHICOP

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Mission statement for Chumbe Island Coral Park :

“To manage, for conservation and educational purposes, the ChumbeIsland Reef Sanctuary and the Forest Reserve. This is also supported byeco-tourism activities which are directly related to the non-consumptiveuses of the natural resources.”

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Unguja Island, Chumbe Island is marked with a red circle. Drawing by Anders Knudby.

From left to right: hermit crab and the education centre, Chumbe flag, sunset over the education centre. Photos by Oskar Henriksson.

Part I:Conservation Programs

Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd (CHICOP) was registered in Zanzibar in 1992for the sole purpose of establishing and managing the nature reserve. On 3rd

January 1994 an agreement was signed between the Ministry ofAgriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources and CHICOP, declaring the reefto the west of Chumbe as the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary (CRS) by virtue ofsection 6 (1) (e) of the 1988 Fisheries Act, Legal notice no. 99 of the 24th

December, 1994. This made Chumbe Island Zanzibar’s and Tanzania’s firstMPA (IUCN, 2001) and gave CHICOP responsibility for preserving, controllingand managing the Reef Sanctuary for an initial period of 10 years. On 3rd

January 2004 this arrangement was reviewed and extended for a furtherperiod of ten years. Under article 8 of this agreement, reference is made to theChumbe Management Plan which will “be approved by the AdvisoryCommittee, will be adhered to [in order to] ensure that the company ismanaging, controlling and preserving the CRS in a manner befitting a MarineSanctuary.”

On 22nd July 1995 an agreement was signed between the Ministry ofAgriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources and CHICOP which declared theland area of Chumbe Island, excluding the area leased to CHICOP, a ClosedForest Habitat (CFH) in accordance with the provisions of Wood CuttingDecree Ch. 121 and which entrusted management, including efficientcontrol, conservation management and culturing of the natural resources, toCHICOP for a period of 33 years.

Chumbe is classified as a Class II protected area under IUCN’s WDPAlistings. This is defined as a: National Park / Protected Area managed mainlyfor ecosystem protection and recreation: A natural area of land and/orsea, designated to (a) protect the ecological integrity of one or moreecosystems for present and future generations, (b) exclude exploitation oroccupation inimical to the purposes of designation of the area and (c) providea foundation for spiritual, scientific, educational, recreational and visitoropportunities, all of which must be environmentally and culturally compatible(Spalding et al., 2001).

The Chumbe Reef Sanctuary has been declared as one of the most diverse inthe region, and hosts 90% of East Africa’s hard coral species (more than 200species from 55 genera), over 440 reef fish species, as well as the criticallyendangered Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the endangeredGreen Turtle (Chelonia mydas). The Closed Forest Habitat possessesseveral, healthy individuals of the critically endangered Ader’s duikersantelope (Cephalophus adersi) and a large population of the IUCN datadeficient Coconut crab (Birgus latro), along with various species ofendangered birds. The tree Uvariodendron kirkii is listed as Vulnerable andthere are indications of rare reptiles on the island.

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Conservation News:

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Chumbe Island Coral Park receives UN recognition!

The work of Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd towards the sustainablemanagement and protection of the Chumbe coral reefs has been recognizedby the UN Secretary General in his report to the General Assembly onProtection of coral reefs for sustainable livelihoods and development, inpreparation for the Rio+20 - United Nations Conference on SustainableDevelopment 4-6 June 2012.

Under the heading "The role of national legislation in protecting coral reefs(including importance of inclusion of indigenous/local communities)" on Page21, the report says: "A noted example for PES (Payment for EcosystemServices) within the context of coral reefs habitat is the private, non-profitChumbe Island Coral Park Ltd (CHICOP) in Tanzania. The Government ofZanzibar established a protected area around the island and its fringing coralreef in 1994 and gave the management rights to CHICOP, which isresponsible for implementing the CHICOP Management Plans 1995-2016."

The Chumbe Reef Sanctuary on the western side of Chumbe Island. Photo by Markus Meissl.

UN recognition & renewal of Marine Sanctuary Agreement

Renewal of Chumbe Island Marine Sanctuary Agreement!

In agreement with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Zanzibar, ChumbeIsland Coral Park has been granted another 10 year renewable contract to protect,conserve and manage the reef on the western side of Chumbe Island as a MarineProtected Area (MPA).

CHICOP would like to thank the Government of Zanzibar and the Ministry ofLivestock and Fisheries for recognizing the value of our mission. As CHICOP doesnot receive any outside funding in order to manage, for conservation and educationpurposes the MPA and forest sanctuary, we would also like to extend gratitude toour guests who make the project possible.

Diverse coral reef within the MPA on the western side of Chumbe Island. Photo by Markus Meissl.

A management plan is a fundamental tool to enable effective planning, development andmanagement of a Marine Protected Area (MPA). It is designed to provide guidance tothe MPA management team, through the identification of the key goals and objectives ofthe MPA in both time and space. Within these objectives, associated managementactions provide recommendations for the setting of priorities, the identification of roles,responsibilities & stakeholder input, and the methodologies to be employed to ensurethe sustainable development and management of the MPA. The Convention onBiological Diversity (CBD; to which the United Republic of Tanzania is a signatory)comments that management planning at individual MPA level is important for “…generating clear short and long term management objectives and associatedprogrammes” (CBD, 2004).

A management plan should:- provide a good decision-making framework- be appropriate given the context of the MPA- be adequate in terms of content- be designed for effective implementation(Wells & Mangubhai, 2005:p.15)

The present management plan is following on from the earlier CHICOP managementplan of 1995-2005. It is important to evaluate the MPA in terms of the effectiveness andrelevance of the initial plan as well as review the status of the project in general in orderto assign and priorities objectives and management actions for the next ten years.

Steps involved in the development of the 2006-2016 management plan

The first step was to draw out the key ‘values’ (biodiversity, natural and socioeconomicvalues) of the project as it is today.

The second step was to review the original objectives in the management plan 1995-2005 and assess the adequacy of this initial plan.

Thirdly, there was an assessment of the management processes to date inimplementing the original management plan, and the identification of areas whereoutputs have not met the expectations of the objectives (and where more managementattention needs to be focused in the future), and – conversely - areas that haveexceeded the original objectives.

Fourth, an up to date review of the existing policy and legal framework within whichCHICOP operates has been undertaken.

Management Plan

Conservation objectives of the Chumbe Island MPA: 2006 -2016

I. To protect & manage the marine & forest ecosystems in the nature reserveII. To promote research in the CRS and CFH in support of managementIII. To develop and implement biodiversity monitoring systems for both the

marine & forest habitats in the nature reserveIV. To promote the conservation of rare & endemic species

Outlook

Currently, CHICOP’s management plan is being reviewed and will be up-dated in2016 for the next ten years. This will be done according to the “Strategic AdaptiveManagement “ (SAM) approach and aims at developing SMART objectives that willbe tied to smart, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound targets andindicators. Existing monitoring systems will measure these indicators against knownbaseline data, thus helping Chumbe to strengthen the eco-system basedmanagement of the sanctuary.

2006-2016

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The eco-lodge on Chumbe Island. Revenue from eco-tourism activities is channeled back into conservation, education and research. Photo by Oskar Henriksson.

Key Values of the MPA

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The key values in the MPA are outlined in the table. Structure & format adapted from Wells & Mangubhai, 2005.

Value JustificationSpecies-rich habitats & ecosystems High species diversity in the CRS, including 55 hard coral genera and more than 400

coral reef species. Healthy mangrove stand population and dense coral-rag forest of theCFH represent a remnant of the coastal mosaic forest habitat.

Nationally representative habitats and ecosystems

The CRS is protected as a No-Take-Area (NTA) and is therefore, a rare historicalexample of non-impacted fringing reef representative of the region. The CFH is a goodexample of an increasingly rare forest habitat in the region.

Globally threatened species on the IUCN red-list

The CFH is host to the critically endangered (IUCN-CR) Ader’s duiker (Cephalophusadersi), and the CRS is a feeding ground for the critically endangered (IUCN-CR)Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and the endangered (IUCN-E) Green turtle(Chelonia mydas).

Rare species nationally The CFH is host to the data deficient (IUCN-DD) Coconut crab (Birgus latro) which isconsidered to be increasingly rare in the region. Uvariodendron kirkii, is a tree speciespreviously considered regionally extinct, with little research undertaken to date.

Value JustificationSpecific fringing reef habitat formation Shallow habitat with dramatic formations, high rugosity and diverse topography

providing diverse habitat niches.

Island ecosystems Island ecosystems provide rich, isolated habitats relatively separate from externalinfluences and pressures, allowing for a reduction in variables for research (controlsites).

Source area for recruitment Situated within a pivotal region in East Africa where cross Indian Ocean currentsconverge. A NTA at this site offers high potential as a source area for coral larvae.

Researchers, tourists, education

Biodiversity values:

Other natural values:

Value Justification

Education A variety of habitats and ecosystems provides education opportunities, combined withassociated values from the ecotourism infrastructure in the education of futuregenerations.

Research A 'natural laboratory' and control site for researchers which enables to examinecomparative impacts / effects between non-protected and protected sites, as well as asite of rare and endangered species.

Sustainable fisheries Through the full protection of the NTA and the associated spillover effect, combined withthe connectivity to the adjacent Menai Bay Conservation Area.

Tourism & recreation Regulated and controlled ecotourism and recreation activities enable revenuegeneration to sustain MPA operations.

Historical / archaeological sites Presence of historical monuments, namely the mosque, lighthouse and lighthousekeepers house (converted into the education centre).

Top right: mangrove kingfisher with its prey. Middle: excited eco-lodge guests on their way to the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary for snorkeling. Bottom: sunset above the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary. Photos by Oskar Henriksson and Warren Devine.

Socio-economic/cultural values:

Chumbe Reef Sanctuary

Pelagic: Open, relatively deep, oceanic habitat. Photo by Lina Mtwana Nordlund.

Coral Reef: Healthy hard coral communities, dominating the CRS. Photo by Oskar Henriksson.

Coastal Shallows: Shallow, rock and sand dominated areas.Photo by Lina Mtwana Nordlund.

After the discovery of Chumbe's incredibly diverse reef eco-system, CHICOPsucceeded in officially closing the fringing reef west of Chumbe Island in October1992 (after several years of campaigning!). With Chumbe being located upstreamof the most important fishing grounds opposite Stone Town, Zanzibar's capital, theChumbe Reef provides a protected breeding ground for fish, corals and otherspecies which can spread out to decolonize nearby, overfished and degraded reefareas. Being a source reef makes Chumbe's protection of vital importance to boththe preservation of biodiversity and the fisheries economy in the region. On the24th of December 1994 the Zanzibar Government officially gazetted the reef as the"Chumbe Reef Sanctuary" (CRS) and with this Chumbe had become the firstmarine park in Tanzania, and the first privately managed MPA in the world.Chumbe is a rare example of a still pristine coral island ecosystem in an otherwiseheavily overfished and over-exploited area.

There are four key habitat areas in the CRS:1) Pelagic 3) Coastal Shallows2) Coral Reef 4) Intertidal areas

(CRS)

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Shallow, rock and sand dominated areas. Intertidal areas: All areas exposed between the tides into the eulittoral area. Photo by Lina Mtwana Nordlund.

Borders of the CRS

Since 2013 Chumbe Island has had four demarcation buoys deployed on the boundaries(please see map and GPS coordinates below). The presence of these demarcation buoysfor the MPA reef management and the improved relationship with local fishermen over the

Three, state of the art buoys (Sealite, SLB700) with solar powered lights were fundedand in March 2013 we were excited to host Seacology’s Program Manager, Ms KarenMr. Dishon Lionel Murage for a site visit to Chumbe Island.

Chumbe’s conservation team conducts regular buoy maintenance checks via scuba divingas poor quality of stainless steel material available in the region has been the biggest challengeCHICOP was very grateful to receive funding from ‘Coral Reef Care’, a Dutch foundationprotecting world’s marine ecosystems (www.coralreefcare.com), in order to be able to purchaseand shackles from Germany. We are very excited about this huge improvement and wouldfrom Coral Reef Care for the generous support.

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From top right: Patrol Ranger, Shabani during buoy maintenance check; Head Ranger Omari cleaning buoy material using Scuba diChumbe Island to inspect the Sealite, SLB700 buoys which were funded in 2012. Photos by Ulli Kloiber.

Buoy location

Demarc North

Demarc Middle

Demarc South Middle

Demarc South

Traditional sailing boat passing outside the CRS which is marked by demarcation buoys. Photo by Markus Meissl.

boundaries of the Chumbe Reef Sanctuarybuoys has been of outmost importance

the years.

by Seacology (www.seacology.org)Peterson and Field Representative

diving to ensure durability of the buoys,challenge for the team. In August 2013

foundation with the mission of conserving andpurchase quality stainless steel chainswould like to thank Rolf and his team

From top right: Patrol Ranger, Shabani during buoy maintenance check; Head Ranger Omari cleaning buoy material using Scuba diving; NGO Seacology visiting

GPS coordinates

S6 16.440 E39 10.416

S6 16.822 E39 10.365

S6 16.988 E39 10.428

S6 17.197 E39 10.611

Traditional sailing boat passing outside the CRS which is marked by demarcation buoys. Photo by Markus Meissl.

From the very beginning, CHICOP employedthem on the island. Up to now their main tasksfishing, anchoring and wood cutting within theinfringement, and their reports provide daily datafishers' reaction to the rangers' intervention.

Previous to the MPA establishment, the westernSince colonial times the area has been off-limitsobstructions for large vessels travelling in thisadjacent coast which had used the area aroundconducted in the early years of the project, thewas therefore, generally positive (Riedmiller, 2003

However, ranger patrols still met with some resistanceareas in Unguja. Since 1998 it became apparent,reported, have coincided with political events,conditions when fishermen anchored temporarilyThe trespassing has decreased to less than 50

From top: Ngalawa, Ranger Juma Salum with fishing trap found in the intertidal area of CRS, poaching attempt by a local spearPhotos by Ulli Kloiber and from Chumbe archive.

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Total number of trespassing incidents per year in the

Trespassingand trained former fishermen from adjacent villages as park rangers and stationedare to patrol the reef and the closed coral rag forest, ensuring that the laws prohibitingprotected area are met. Since 1992 the rangers have been monitoring any event or

data on the type and number of vessels involved, nature of the intended activity and the

western side of Chumbe Island was little accessed and had no traditional fishing grounds.limits for traditional dugouts and outrigger boats, as they were considered to be hazardous

this Dar es Salaam/Zanzibar channel. Additionally, there was a military base on thearound Chumbe Island for shooting range exercises. When village outreach meetings were

the response from the community representatives regarding Chumbe becoming an MPA2003).

resistance on site in the early years, predominantly from fishers visiting from more distantapparent, through the analysis of the ranger data, that many infringements that were

such as election campaigns (mid nineties) and/or the timing of Ramadhan, or stormytemporarily and did not denote attempted trespassing (which involves poaching and anchoring).

incidents per year since 2008.

From top: Ngalawa, Ranger Juma Salum with fishing trap found in the intertidal area of CRS, poaching attempt by a local spear gun fisherman.1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Total number of trespassing incidents per year in the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary (1993 - 2014)

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Fauna in the CRS

A variety of marine species inhabit the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary (CRS). Out of the fourthe coral reef is the most diverse, hosting 90% of the hard coral species in East Africaleast 16 coral families. Zvuloni et al. (2010) reports that coral diversity across severalMnemba, Changuu and Chumbe) was highest at Chumbe Island which supported theunits (TAUs).

In addition, a total number of 448 fish species has been recorded inside the borders oflist for the recorded fauna of the CRS is available in our office.

German guests Willi, Barbara and Martin Leyendecker have been returning to Chumbespent countless hours of snorkelling in the Chumbe Reef, taking underwater images thatunique underwater photo-guide in 2011. From there, the project further developed into the2013 and by October 2015, a 3rd edition which includes even more species andunderwater photographers, students and scientists will be available on the island.

The whole Chumbe team is very proud of the photo guide, which has become theguidebook on Chumbe Island, and we are especially honored to have returning guests such

Chumbe is welcoming further inventory studies in order be able to identify and recordthe group of invertebrates. Research proposals that follow the non-destructive principlesmanagement plans should be submitted through CHICOP’s Conservation Manager (chumbe@zitec

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From top right: highly diverse hard coral community of CRS (photo by Markus Meissl); majestic arc-eye hawkfishthe coastal shallows of the CRS (photo by Frida Lanshammar); Faviid coral polyps (photo by Ulli Kloiber)Ulli Kloiber); Willi Leyendecker, Ulli Kloiber and Barbara Leyendecker presenting both editions of the “Underwater

key habitats of Chumbe Island,Africa which are represented by atseveral reefs in Zanzibar (Bawe,the highest number of taxonomic

the CRS since 1992. A species

Island for many years and havethat resulted in Chumbe’s first and

the completion of a 2nd edition inamazing images from various

the most important and popularsuch as the Leyendecker family!

more species, especially withinprinciples as outlined in CHICOP’schumbe@zitec.org).

“…one of the most spectacular ‘coral gardens’ to be found anywhere in the world.”J.E.N Vernon Australian Institute of Marine Science

hawkfish (photo by Markus Meissl); ghost pipe fish inKloiber); endangered green turtle (photo by

“Underwater Photo-Guide” on Chumbe Island in 2013.

Monitoring Programs

Monitoring provides early warnings of stress e.g. to the reef and allows appropriatemanagement actions to be taken to mitigate these stresses. This allows anadaptive management scenario to be undertaken, defined by Wells and Mangubhai(2005) as ‘adjusting management actions on the basis of lessons learned overtime’. If monitoring is conducted by stakeholders, it can also increaseenvironmental awareness and provide a sense of ownership and motivation toprotect the monitored ecosystems (Wagner, 2005).

A long-term monitoring program should allow data to be collected over timescalesby providing stronger evidence of the effects of terrestrial and marine reserveprotection than comparative studies (Russ, 2002). By providing increased evidenceof the benefits of nature reserves, monitoring data will therefore, increase locallyand internationally support for nature reserves. Monitoring data can also be used toassess whether management objectives are being achieved, to highlight issues forwhich that reserve needs support or funding and to report achievements (Wells &Mangubhai, 2005).

Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Monitoring

Two loggers are installed in the CRS and provide a continuous dataset of seasurface temperature. The loggers are removed every three months for dataretrieval (in cooperation with the Institute of Marine Science in Zanzibar). Thedata (see graph) helps draw correlations between high water temperatures andcoral bleaching events. The years 2013 and 2014 were relatively ‘cool’ comparedto 1998.

In April 1998 (red arrow) El Niño held sea surface temperature 2°C higher thanaverage (over 30°C) causing severe bleaching and coral mortality events throughout the Indo-Pacific. The Chumbe Reef Sanctuary was also affected but it’s coralhealth and diversity is believed to have helped the reef recover quicker and withmore coral diversity compared to surrounding reefs in Zanzibar.

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This graph is published with the kind permission of Dr Christopher Muhando. Institute of Marine Science, ZnZ

Chumbe Island is surrounded by incredibly diverse, marine ecosystems that provide anatural laboratory full of research opportunities. CHICOP’ s conservation team isinvolved in the following monitoring programs:

1. Seawater temperature monitoringStarted in 1997, by Dr. Christopher Muhando from the Institute of Marine Science, University of Dar es Salaam in collaboration with Chumbe Island

2. Coral reef monitoringDesigned in 2006 by E.H.M Tyler, recorded are fish communities, coral health, crown-of-thorn starfish, and sea urchin species

3. Seagrass monitoringStarted in 2006, data submitted to a global, online database called SeagrassNet

4. Humpback whale monitoringChumbe joined a regional monitoring program in 2008 and annually submits recorded sightings and whale behavior

From top: Omari Nyange conducting coral reef monitoring (photo by Karlyn Langjahr), middle left: orange striped trigger fish (photo by Martin Leyendecker), middle right: indicator butterfly fish (photo by Markus Meissl), bottom right, Blacksaddle grouper (photo by Ulli Kloiber). Bottom: diverse hard coral species in the CRS (photos by LinaMtwana Nordlund).

CHICOP’s conservation team has been monitoring the Chumbe Reef Sanctuary (CRS),which is a 0.3 km² no-take area, since 2006. The monitoring program was specificallydesigned to provide evidence of management effectiveness and to inform management,with the key aim of making this sustainable within the resources of the MPA.

A total of 20 transects are monitored annually by a trained ranger who collects data bysnorkelling. Since 2008 a reef similar in benthic habitat quality but unprotected andlocated outside the CRS has been established as a control reef. Data collection includesrecording of commercial fish from six families and corallivorous Chaetontids via belttransects, whereas urchin species, crown-of-thorns starfish (COT) and the proportion ofcoral colonies afflicted by COT predation, bleaching, disease and damage aremeasured in 5m radii. The collected data is handed over to the conservation managerwho analysis the data and writes up summary reports and recommendations.

Fish communitiesFish surveys are focused on particular fish families that are commercially targeted in theZanzibar archipelago. Since the CRS is closed to fishing, it is important to see how thisinfluences fish populations and sizes. The following indicator species are linked tofishing pressure and reef health:

Triggerfish are sea urchin predators that also indicate fishing pressure since they are easily caught by hook and line.

Butterfly fish (3 species in specific ) eat coral polyps and when found in abundance are linked to live hard coral cover.

Sweetlip, Snapper, Grouper are omnivorous fish that provide insight into the predation conditions on the reef.

Rabbitfish and Parrotfish are fish families often caught by local fishermen and indicate the area’s fishing disturbance.

Coral Reef Monitoring

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Coral monitoring variables

Fish:Balistidae

Haemulidae

Lutjanidae

Scaridae

Serranidae

Siganidae

Chaetodontidae

Habitat:COTS

D. setosum

D. Savignyi

E. mathaei

E. Diadema

Coral colonies

COT predation

Colour bleach

Dead bleach

White Syndrome

Black Band Disease

Pigmentation

White splotch

Tumors

Brown Band Disease

PUWS

Other diseases

Natural damage

Human damage

Unsure damage

Monitoring Results:

Graph 1: Why does size matter?Comparing the abundance of large commercial fish (more than 50 cm in length)between Chumbe and the fished control reef, reveals that larger fish are found inthe CRS. This is because large fish tend to be removed first by fishing methods.Large fish produce more young and help rejuvenate near-by reefs!

Insights into 9 years of coral reef monitoring in the CRS: 2006

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Unprotected reef

15

Fish Communities

Insights into 9 years of coral reef monitoring in the CRS: 2006 - 2015

Graph 2: habitat protection?Compared to the fished control reef, Chumbe shows a much higher abundance ofcorallivore (coral polyp eating) butterfly fish. This abundance is linked to a high abundanceof live hard corals in the sanctuary that provide a diverse reef habitat and food source forspecies like the butterfly fish. Unprotected reefs worldwide are facing severe habitatdegradation resulting in reefs dominated by dead coral rubble and macro-algae instead oflive hard corals!

Graph 3: why are parrotfish important?Parrotfish remove dead corals and cleanareas for new corals to settle. Theyremove weedy growth and cart away tonsof sand and sediment that wouldotherwise smother the corals!

Recent studies found that most heavily-fished reefs in the Indian Ocean have lostvirtually all of their large parrotfish! In theCRS however, data show that parrotfishpopulations are intact, consisting ofdifferent size classes and performing theiressential roles in looking after the reef!

Monitoring Results:

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Population increases of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema setosum around Zanzibarare believed to have caused loss of seagrass beds and coral cover, and possiblycompetitive exclusion of herbivorous fishes. This has prompted both conservationorganizations and local fishermen to call for management of this species. However, thepopulation dynamics of Diadema setosum are poorly understood, and the effects of anymanagement initiatives are difficult to predict.

As part of the Coral Reef Monitoring manual, our conservation team has been recordingthe distribution and abundance of the following sea urchin species:

- Diadema setosum- Diadema savignyi- Echinothrix diadema- Echinometra mathaei

Since 2006 the average number of Diadema setosum has gradually decreased.Compared to a unprotected and fished site outside the CRS (control reef), the CRS hasa significant lower number of diadem sea urchins. Research suggests that intensivefishing and shell collection through decades have removed most of the natural urchinpredators such as the orange-striped triggerfish in Zanzibar’s unprotected reefs.

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Sea Urchins

Above right: Long-spine sea urchin (Diadema setosum). Photo by Martin Leyendecker.

Below right: Orange striped trigger fish (Balistapus undulatus) eating a sea urchin.

Below left: Echinothrix diadema. Photos by Nell Hamilton.

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Average sea urchin densities – setting targets!A critical step within the strategic adaptivemanagement approach is to set measurable andtime-bound objectives so that progress can betracked! Sea urchin density is an important indicatorfor live coral cover and is now being monitoredagainst a regional target density of less than1 urchin/m2 (McClanahan, 2014), indicated by theblue line in the graph below.

Our monitoring data show that the CRS has reached this target in 2008 (14 years afterprotection!) and since then sea urchin density has further decreased, while densitylevels on a near-by unprotected reef are still high due to predator exploitation.

The Crown-of-thorns starfish (COT), Acanthaster planci, grows up to 50 cmacross, has 12 to 19 arms, and is covered in poisonous spines. COT are hard coralpredators, feeding preferably on polyps of staghorn corals from the genus Acroporawhich are important and abandoned reef-building corals. During the last 50 years theirnumbers have been increasing and outbreaks seem to occur more frequent, causinggreat damage to coral reefs world wide.

There are three common theories regarding COT outbreaks: 1) removal ofpredators, 2) human influence on water quality and 3) natural fluctuations.

During an outbreak COT densities increase, the competition for food increases andthe feeding preference broadens from tabular corals (preferably Acropora sp.) to othercoral species. Lanshammar & Muhando (2008) looked at coral mortality and recoveryafter the last major El Niño event in 1998 and its relation to COT population densitiesin the Zanzibar archipelago. Benthic data from three islands on the west coast ofZanzibar (Chumbe, Bawe, and Changuu) showed that the % cover of Acropora coralsdropped to 10-15% during the El Niño event in 1998, after which a slow coral recoverycould be seen on all reefs. However, after a major COT outbreak in 2002/03, % coverof Acropora corals has further dropped dramatically down to around 1% on all reefsexcept for Chumbe, where live Acropora coverage has recovered to pre-bleachingnumbers.

Top right: Omari Nyange removing a COT from the CRS. Left middle: COT feeding on Acropora table coral, leaving white feeding

Monitoring Results:

Size information of COTs per year since 2006

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Min (cm) 16 15 15 20 16 14 8 5 10

Max (cm) 32 34 40 31 33 32 46 36 35

Av. size (cm) 24.5 26.4 38.1 25.3 24.8 25,81 28.8 25.5 28.9

When increased densities of COT werenoticed inside the CRS in2004, CHICOP management initiated amanual COT removal program whichinvolves park rangers who collect, countand measure all COTs detected duringrandom swims inside the CRS. Thisremoval program has proven to be avery effective management tool as atotal number of 4054 COT starfish couldbe removed since 2004 (see graphbelow), which had a very positive effecton the health status of the CRS.

Top right: Omari Nyange removing a COT from the CRS. Left middle: COT feeding on Acropora table coral, leaving white feeding scare and measurements of a COT collected from the CRS. Photos by Ulli Kloiber.

COT removal program in Chumbe

Crown-of-Thorns

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Seagrass Monitoring

Information from the SeagrassNet website: www.seagrassnet.org

“SeagrassNet is an expanding, worldwide ecological monitoring program thatinvestigates and documents the status of seagrass resources and the threats tothis important and imperilled marine ecosystem. The program started in 2001 inthe Western Pacific and now includes 115 sites in 32 countries with a globalmonitoring protocol and web-based data reporting system. Our ultimate aim is topreserve the valuable seagrass ecosystem by increasing scientific knowledgeand public awareness of this threatened coastal resource.”

Of the 13 seagrass species known from the region (Bandeira and Björk, 2001), 7 speciesare found around Chumbe Island:

- Cymodocea rotundata - Thalassodendron ciliatum (formerly Cymodocea ciliata)- Cymodocea serrulata - Halophila ovalis- Halodule sp. - Syringodium isoetifolium- Thalassia hemprichii

Since 2006 CHICOP’’s conservation team has monitored 3 permanent transects coveringseagrass beds at different depths within the CRS (see detailed set-up map). Speciesdiversity and distribution are recorded every 3 months and data is sent to SeagrassNet, aglobal monitoring network which works towards preserving the global seagrassecosystem by increasing knowledge and public awareness of this threatened coastalecosystem.

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Seagrass meadows are vitally important to the health of adjacent coral reefs(Dorenbosch, 2006) as they provide nurseries, shelter, and food for a variety ofcommercially and ecologically important species like fish, sea turtle, seahorse, andcrustaceans (Orth et al., 1984; Bell and Pollard, 1989; Nagelkerken et al., 2000).

Seagrasses are marine angiosperms that are commonly distributed in tropical andsubtropical coastal intertidal areas where they assist in stabilizing the seafloor with theirroot systems and filter or trap harmful pollutants or particles derived from landproduction (Howard et al., 1989; Duarte and Chiscano, 1999).

Bottom: Thalassodendron ciliatum, photo by Nell Hamilton. Top: CHICOP guiding rangers conducting seagrass monitoring, photo by Ulli Kloiber.Bottom right: visual comparison of seagrass coverage in two photo quadrats from 2007 and 2014, indicating the highly dynamic

Chumbe’s SeagrassNet monitoring site TZ19.2 - (S 6° 16.6596' E 39° 26.2626')

, photo by Nell Hamilton. Top: CHICOP guiding rangers conducting seagrass monitoring, photo by Ulli Kloiber.Bottom right: visual comparison of seagrass coverage in two photo quadrats from 2007 and 2014, indicating the highly dynamic character of a seagrass ecosystem, photos by Ulli Kloiber and from Chumbe archive.

2007 2014

Closed Forest Habitat

Approximately 90% of Chumbe Island is covered by one of the last remaining pristine'coral rag' forests in Zanzibar. This forest was declared a Closed Forest Habitat(CFH) in 1994 by the Government of Zanzibar, and the management was entrustedto CHICOP.

The CFH hosts a highly specialized plant community, that has developed to survivewithout any groundwater, as the bedrock of the island is made up of an impressivesubstrate of fossilized coral that is unable to store rainwater. This coral rag forest isdense with adventitious roots thrusting out in all directions, capturing moisture fromthe humid air, and epiphytic species wrapping themselves around all availablesurfaces. It has taken researchers up to 4 hours to navigate the length of the islandand more than 124 plant species have been identified so far.

There are three key habitat areas in the CFH:

• Mangrove pools: small, saltwater-inundated pools with water levels varyingwith the tides and vegetation dominated by mangrove.

• Scrub: relatively short scrub (3m), possibly wind/salt clipped, occurring on the periphery of the forest habitat.

• Tropical Dry Forest: relatively tall (6m), dense coastal thicket covering the majority of the island.

In the management of this habitat, materials imported onto the island are carefullyscreened to avoid any non-indigenous elements intruding into this preservedenvironment. Such practice was unfortunately not in place in the early 1900's whenrats were accidentally introduced onto the island, probably by British ships bringingmaterials when the lighthouse was established.

From right: Mangrove pool and fossilized brain coral. Photos by Markus Meissl.

19

The Chumbe sanctuary includes a 22ha Forest Reserve that covers 90% of the island, photo by Markus Meissl.

(CFH)

After the successful conclusion of a rat eradication program in May1997, which was managed by CHICOP with support from specialistsfrom the Cork University in Ireland and the Zanzibari PlantProtection Division, the island was freed from this non-indigenousspecies and conditions further improved for the island's flora thathad been under pressure from competition from the rats consumingthe vital regenerating fruiting bodies.

Not surprisingly, the forest has become a refuge for an abundance ofbirds, bats, crustaceans, non-poisonous snakes and lizards. Rare speciesoccupying the forest include Ader’s duiker, a critically endangered mini-antelope, and the Coconut crab, the largest land-living arthropod in the world.

CHICOP welcomes more research that is needed to identify the true biodiversity ofthis unique ecosystem that subsist off the island’s fossilized coral foundation.

From right: skink, forest bug (photos from Chumbe archive), non-poisonous green tree snake (photo by Peter Köhler).

Birds

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Year Researcher(s) Output/reports1993 Peter & Ursula Köhler A preliminary survey of birds on Chumbe Island: First report (6

1993 Philip Bowen An ornithological introduction to Chumbe Island (Frontier Tanzania )

1994 Peter & Ursula Köhler A preliminary survey of birds on Chumbe Island: Second report (5

1994/95 Dudley & Penny Iles Extracts from our diaries (observation throughout the year)

1993-95 Dudley Iles Peter & Ursula Köhler

Ornithological notes from Chumbe Island, Zanzibar: Summary of observations

1994/95 Peter & Ursula Köhler A preliminary survey of birds on Chumbe Island: Third report (28

1994-95 Dudley & Penny Iles Observations and visitor booklets: Checklist for Chumbe, Chumbe Island Nature Trail

1995 Robert Mileto & Gill Castle

Chumbe aves species list 1995

2000 Heather Skillings The Birds of Chumbe Island: a case study (ISP project for School of International Training)

2003 Hart Webb Migratory Birds on Chumbe Island (ISP project for School of International Training)

2004 Alyssa Robb A survey of the Birds of Chumbe Island (ISP project for School of International Training)

2014 Peter & Ursula Köhler Follow-up Monitoring Survey of Birds on Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, February 2014 Supplement November 2014 to the “ Follow-up Monitoring Survey of Birds on Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, February 2014”

2014 Peter & Ursula Köhler Non-breeding bird species on Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, February and November 2014 2015 Köhler & Kloiber Revised Chumbe Aves List

Chumbe Island also has a rich bird life. Ornithological observations and studies have beentable below for summary of reports). Amongst the recent highlights was the return of Dr. Peterup monitoring survey in 2014, providing interesting insights regarding the breeding and(details outlined in their reports which are available in the CHICOP office).

Moreover, Dr. Peter and Ursula Köhler also spent extra time to train our staff in bird identificationrevising the aves species list for Chumbe. Asanteni sana!

From top right: African Reed Warbler, ringed in Feb. 2014; Peter Köhler with Head Ranger Omari Nyange and Guiding Ranger Juma(all photos by Markus Meissl).

A preliminary survey of birds on Chumbe Island: First report (6th-18th Jan 1993)

An ornithological introduction to Chumbe Island (Frontier Tanzania )

A preliminary survey of birds on Chumbe Island: Second report (5th-19th Jan 1994)

Extracts from our diaries (observation throughout the year)

Ornithological notes from Chumbe Island, Zanzibar: Summary of observations

A preliminary survey of birds on Chumbe Island: Third report (28th Nov - 11th Jan 1995)

Observations and visitor booklets: Checklist for Chumbe, Chumbe Island Nature Trail

The Birds of Chumbe Island: a case study (ISP project for School of International Training)

Migratory Birds on Chumbe Island (ISP project for School of International Training)

A survey of the Birds of Chumbe Island (ISP project for School of International Training)

up Monitoring Survey of Birds on Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, February 2014 up Monitoring Survey of Birds on Chumbe Island,

breeding bird species on Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, February and November 2014

ongoing since the project started in 1993 (seePeter and Ursula Köhler who conducted a follow-

non-breeding bird communities on the island

identification and ecology, and assisted our team in

From top right: African Reed Warbler, ringed in Feb. 2014; Peter Köhler with Head Ranger Omari Nyange and Guiding Ranger Juma Salum during a bird survey; Mangrove Kingfisher

Birds

- Dimorphic Heron - African Fish Eagle- Paradise Flycatcher - Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul - Mangrove Kingfisher - Red Eyed Dove - White-browed Coucal - Red-capped Robin Chat

- African Reef Warbler - Little Swifts

The most common birds that can been seen frequently during a visit are:

From top left (clockwise): African Fish Eagle, Dimorphic Egret, Common Ringed Plover, African Paradise Flycatcher, Mouse-Coloured Sunbird with nest, House Sparrow. Photos by Markus Meissl & Antony Gillingham.

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Sea bird conservationIn Zanzibar the Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) is a rare migratory coastal seabird.The species is listed on the IUCN Red List, however, with the status ‘LeastConcern’ due to an extremely large global range and an estimated globalpopulation of 80,000 individuals. Roseate terns are threatened by a number ofagents of which hunting in the wintering quarters may be the most significant.Natural predators can also take a great toll on localized colonies, particularly whenterns are disturbed from the nest by other birds and humans. Finally, habitat lossand extreme weather events have caused local extinction of some colonies.

In 1994, 2006 and 2012 large breeding colonies (600-800 birds!) settled onChumbe’s small islets in the south for a period of about 3 months each. Thecolonies have been closely monitored and detailed reports are available in theCHICOP office. Unfortunately, Roseate terns have not been observed breeding onChumbe since 2012.

Roseate terns breeding on Chumbe Island in 2012. Photo by Ulli Kloiber.

Bats (Chiroptera) are among the most diverse and widespread group of mammals as moreof the known species are feeding on nectar or fruit, therefore, playing a crucial role inremaining species are insectivorous and primary consumers of nocturnal insects. In manyfertilizer on dry land.

About 80 species of bats are known from Tanzania (Hutson et. al. 2001), including the vulnerablethe island of Pemba, Tanzania. There is limited knowledge of the exact status and distributionspecies.

On Chumbe Island bats were first recorded in 1993 (Bayliss & Stubblefield) and furtherrevealed even more species (see table below). Observations are ongoing and recorded inand behaviour of the bat species present on Chumbe Island.

Bats

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Top right (clockwise): Wahlberg’s fruit bat (photo by Ben Hayes), White-bellied free-tailed bat (photo by Köhler), Giant leafPhotos by Markus Meissl and Köhler.

Species Common name Recorded Interesting factsHipposideros commersoni

Giant leaf-nosed bat 1993,2012

Nocturnal insect eater, rests during the day, photographed in 2012

Epomophorus wahlbergi

Wahlberg’s fruit bat 1995,2003

named for erectable epaulettes of hair, feeds on fruits

Eidolon helvum

Straw-coloured fruit bat

1995,2015

Seasonal island visitor with roosting sites on Chumbe

Tadarida limbata

White-belliedfree-tailed bat

2014 Species not confirmed, young individual measured in 2014

more than 900 species are known worldwide. One thirdin plant pollination and seed dispersal. Most of the

many parts of the world bat manure (guano) is used as a

vulnerable flying fox (Pteropus voeltzkowi) endemic todistribution of the great majority of the other remaining

research by Köhler (1995, 2014) and Hayes (2003)in order to get a better understanding of roosting sites

tailed bat (photo by Köhler), Giant leaf-nosed bat( photo by Ulli Kloiber), Straw-coloured fruit bats

Nocturnal insect eater, rests during the day, photographed in 2012

named for erectable epaulettes of hair, feeds on fruits

Seasonal island visitor with roosting sites on Chumbe

Species not confirmed, young individual measured in 2014

Aders’ Duiker

Ader's duiker (Cephalophus adersi) rank as one of the most threatened antelopespecies in the world, accepted to be extinct in its original range on the African mainlandcoastal thicket and forests of the Kenyan coast. Today, only a relict population surviveson Zanzibar (Unguja) island and this small population continues to decrease as a resultof habitat destruction and uncontrolled hunting despite being protected by Zanzibar law(Archer 1994). The Wildlife Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, NaturalResources and Environment of Zanzibar is working on a survival strategy, but tacklingthe root causes of this species’ demise, such as de-forestation, is a long-term anddifficult task, and time is in short supply for the Ader’s duiker.

In order to improve the future of this threatened species, CHICOP began to work withthe Department of Forestry towards the establishment of an Ader’s duiker sanctuary inthe Chumbe forest in 1995. Consultants of the Department and CHICOP studiedvegetation conditions, and found the Chumbe forest be of exceptionally good quality toprovide suitable habitat for these duikers (D. Aplin; A. Williams). Therefore, a smallbreeding population of 6 Ader’s Duikers was translocated from the Mtende Region tothe fully protected forest reserve of Chumbe Island: in December 1998 one female andin February 2000 three males and two females (MacPherson et al., 2002).

Following the principles of re-introductions of endangered species, as outlined byIUCN, monitoring procedures have bee in place since then.

From left: Ader's duiker (Cephalophus adersi) - male individual with tag on right ear, photographed on 25th

June 2014, using a wildlife camera (right photo by Martin Leyendecker). Cameras are installed in the proximity of scent marks (photo top right by Martin Leyendecker) which are used by the animals to mark their territories.

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Monitoring includes observation of scent marks,production of sighting records including video andimage footage from a wildlife camera (see graphbelow), and implementation of so-called “drives” toestimate the number of these shy individuals. Thelatest drive in 2012 confirmed at least four adultindividuals and one juvenile.

Although direct sightings have decreased over the lasttwo years, recent video footage derived from the wildlifecamera in 2014/15 revealed healthy individuals andalso allowed identification of gender.

The Ader’s duiker project is managed in collaboration between Chumbe IslandCoral Park (CHICOP) and The Wildlife Division of The Department of CommercialCrops, Fruits and Forestry (formally the Commission for Natural Resources) withinthe Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Co-operatives ofZanzibar. Munich-Hellabrunn Zoo and the Mammal Ecology Research Group(MERG), Royal Holloway University, London provided technical support. TheProject was financed and supported by Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd. (CHICOP),Chicago Zoological Society (CZS), Eco-tec (Zanzibar) Ltd., World Wide Fund forNature (WWF), Fauna and Flora International (FFI), British Ecological Society(BES), British Airways, Munich-Hellabrunn Zoo, and Bavarian Television.”

05

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Ader's duiker sightings (2005-2014)

Coconut Crab

24

The Coconut Crab (Birgus latro), also called Robber Crab, is the largest land-livingarthropod in the world with a carapace diameter of up to 45cm. The common namederives from the crab’s ability to climb coconut trees and easily crack coconuts, theirfavorite food, with its powerful claws. The crabs have evolved to live on land but begintheir life in the sea, later adopting shells as houses for protection until they grow largeenough to manage with just their hardened carapace alone. This gives these crabs alobster-like appearance with their curled-under abdomens.

Unfortunately, coconut crabs are hunted for their tasty meat and have become locallyextinct in areas typically close to human settlements, such as Zanzibar.However, coconut crab research in the East African region is extremely limited and thedisappearing species is unfortunately still listed as data deficient in the IUCNendangered species listing, as nobody knows how many are left.

A healthy Birgus latro population is still found on Chumbe Island which has become astudy base for international researchers and students.

A recent population study conducted by Swedish students from the University ofGothenburg in 2013, found 394 individuals which showed a significant differentiationregarding both thoracic size and body mass between the sexes. Females displayed asmaller (≈ 39 mm) and lighter (≈ 595 g) appearance compared to the larger (≈ 48 mm)and heavier (≈ 1150 g) males. Analysis of activity level based on temperature andhumidity, significantly demonstrated an elevated activity during moist periods. Moredetails can be found in their report (pdf on request available).

The graph (http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/003/AC281E/AC281E00.htm) shows that the thorax length (TL) ofa coconut crab can be used to estimate its age. Males become in general larger than females, both reachsexual maturity at age 6 and stop growing after about 35 years.

Coconut crab (Birgus latro). Photo by Oskar Henriksson.

Coconut crabs have two morphotypes that are not linked to their gender: red/brown and purple/blue.Photo bottom left (by Ulli Kloiber) shows a buried female with eggs. Photo bottom right (by MarkusMeissl) shows a female of the blue morphotype, feeding on coconut.

Conferences,

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) - Workshop for Trainers: Reef Resilience & Responding to Climate Change, 10-14th June 2013, ZanzibarChumbe’s Conservation and Education Manager, Ulli Kloiber participated in this workshopand completed a 3-month online Reef Resilience course, followed by a one week trainingcourse that was highly successful as it brought together experts and othermanagers/trainers from all over the WIO region in order to discuss and share ideasregarding more effective long-term coral reef management. Each participant leftworkshop with a specific training plan that was later implemented on local scale.

Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC), 24-27th Sept 2013, KenyaMore than 500 professionals from around the world came together to highlight and promoteecotourism’s role in sustainable development. ESTC13 aimed to strengthen the industry’scommitment to the recent UN resolution, “Promotion of Ecotourism for Poverty Eradicationand Environment Protection”, which recognizes ecotourism’s positive impactsustainable community development efforts. CHICOP was represented by Project DirectorSibylle Riedmiller who held an oral presentation ‘Sustainable Marine Park Financingthrough Eco-Tourism’.

3rd International MPA Congress (IMPAC), 21-27th Oct 2013, FranceEvery four years, IMPAC brings together major maritime stakeholders from aroundglobe to assist in the conservation and sustainable development of the oceans. ThisIMPAC aimed to deliver a new vision and tools to achieve the goal of protecting 10 %the world’s oceans by 2020. CHICOP, represented by Non-Executive Director, EleanorCarter held an oral presentation during a workshop called ‘Working with the private sectorcontributions and empowerment in a win-win approach’. In addition, CHICOP alsocontributed a conservation video at oceanplus.tv:http://www.oceanplus.tv/en/stories/video/113-zanzibar-chumbe-island-coral-park-short-film

We are proud to be in charge of a successful, private nature reserve where the ecoReserve, and provides environmental education for local and international students. Toproject activities at conservation and education related conferences and workshops whenever

Workshops & Networking

25

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8th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium, 28th Oct – 2nd Nov 2013, MozambiqueWIOMSA (Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association) brought togetherover 400 scientists, conservationists, civil society representatives, and the privatesector from 15 countries, promoting partnerships through linking multiplescientific domains across geographic boundaries and beyond the academicsphere. CHICOP was represented by Scientific Adviser, Lina Mtwana Nordlundand Conservation and Education Manager, Ulli Kloiber who held an oralpresentation titled ‘Getting the balance right: a governance analysis of ChumbeIsland Coral Park’ and presented a poster ‘Chumbe Island Coral Park – PESpioneer for coral reef conservation’. The symposium was very successful and fullof networking opportunities.

Western Indian Ocean Climate Change Training Workshop for Coastal andMPA, Part I, 18th–23rd Nov 2013, South Africa and VulnerabilityAssessment, Scenario Planning and Analyzing Adaptation strategiesWorkshop and Mentor training for Coastal and MPA, Part II, 29-7th June2014, ZanzibarMPA practitioners from the WIO region, such as Chumbe Island, participated inthis capacity building training that aimed at increasing our understanding ofclimate change in order to be able to respond and plan for associated changes inthe regional, coastal and marine environment. The workshop involved thepresentation of newest climate change data, case studies from the region and alot of team exercises that fostered discussion and experience sharing amongstthe participants, mentors and instructors. Field trips to close-by MPAs madethese workshops a unique learning experience which was funded and facilitatedby NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), USAID andWIOMSA.

Youth Workshop “Inspired Generation”, 17th Oct 2014, ZanzibarThe ISLANDS project through the Department of Environment Zanzibarconducted this one day workshop in order to discuss the training methodologydeveloped by the Youth for Sustainable Development (YSDF) that will guide the“Inspired Generations Program” in Zanzibar. The purpose of this workshop wasto mobilise students and to build up capacities among local stakeholders towardssustainable development initiatives in Zanzibar.

eco-lodge fully funds the sustainable management of a Marine Sanctuary and a ForestTo share our experience, success and lessons learned we attend, exhibit, and present our

whenever options are coming up. During the last two years the highlights were:

Influence of Seascape Configuration on Abundance and Life Stage Distributionof Fish Species in Seagrass beds in Zanzibar (Jan 2013)Master students Alan Koliji, Gustav Palmqvist and Karolina Wikström from StockholmUniversity studied how different seascapes harbors different seagrass beds with differentfish communities in Zanzibar including Chumbe Island.

Population study of the coconut crab (Birgus latro) on Chumbe Island (March 2013)Master students Eric Bergwall and Andrea Kilstromer from the University of Gothenburginvestigated differences between male and female crabs regarding abundance, weightlength ratio, coloration, food preference, and choice of habitat.

East African Marine Transect (EAMT) Expedition (March 2013)The EAMT was a 4 months expedition along the east coast of Africa, from South Africa toKenya. The expedition aimed to improve our understanding of the ecology of the eastAfrican coral reef ecosystems, by employing a quantitative, diver-operated stereo videosurvey technique to gather information on the status of the fish communities within theregion. Data (also from Chumbe) is available online: http://movingsushi.com/east-africa-marine-transect.

Seagrass-coral reef connectivity and cross habitat trophic interactions in the tropical seascape of Zanzibar (August 2013)Master students Klara Mossegard, Sara Hemming, Eylem Elma, and Conny Aberg fromthe Stockholm University looked at the distribution of functional groups in space andtime, spatial variation of fish functional groups and particular invertebrates in seagrassmeadows and coral reef and seagrass connectivity in relation to herbivory andpredation.

In addition to our ongoing monitoring programs, CHICOP was honored to host researchers from around the globe over the past twHere are the highlights:

26

ResearchIn addition to our ongoing monitoring programs, CHICOP was honored to host researchers from around the globe over the past two years.

Effects of different marine conservation regimes on fish community structure in Tanzania and Mozambique (Oct 2013)Master student Stefan Skoglund from the Stockholm University evaluated theeffects of state run MPA’s and co-management protected areas, on seagrass andcoral reef ecosystems, while his colleague Per Hedberg looked at the function ofseagrass habitats for fish recruitment .

Response of carbonate builders to anthropogenic, environmental andgeomorphologicalchanges in Unguja Island, Zanzibar (Sept 2014)The research of PhD student Natalia Herran and Dr. Gita R. Narayan from theLeibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology, Bremen/Germany aimed to develop adistribution map of the carbonate producers along the shallow reef platform ofZanzibar. Moreover, Dr. Narayan investigated the abiotic changes and bioticresponse of carbonate producers to eutrophication from wastewater effluent alonga nutrient/pollution gradient from Stone Town to three nearby reefs and seagrassmeadows (Changuu, Bawe and Chumbe).

In November 2014, two students from the School of International Training (SIT)collected data and completed the following ISP projects: “A Survey of Serranidaeon Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania” and “A Comparison of the SeagrassBed Health on Chumbe Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania”.

Pdf copies of all completed research studies can be requested via email: chumbe@zitec.org

Part II:EnvironmentalEducation

School education in Zanzibar, as elsewhere in the region, is based on rote-learning of an extremely academic syllabus that has little relationship with thesurrounding world. Extra-curricular activities, such as field excursions arerarely organised and very few children have a chance to visit their surroundingecosystems. In 2000, CHICOP officially started an Environmental Education(EE) program with the aim to provide hands-on environmental education forschoolchildren, and at the same time to give teachers ideas on how toconduct field-based environmental education in marine biology, forest ecologyand environmental protection. CHICOP’s EE program is the only regular andlarge-scale program in Tanzania that fills the gap in school curricula andprovides educational experiences and information for local schools onenvironmental issues and marine ecology.

On field excursions to Chumbe Island, students get the chance to learn aboutnature within the appropriate environment. Experience shows that theparticipating children which are guided by environmental educators on thecoral reef and along nature trails, benefit greatly from the insight they gainwhile exploring the habitats. Additional lectures in marine biology, forestecology and environmental protection discussing climate change andbiodiversity issues enhance the practical experience.

In addition to field excursions, CHICOP has also conducted outreach workwithin schools, which has proven to be extremely successful. Not only haveschools fully participated in the field excursions but they have also showngreat enthusiasm to undertake more field based, hands-on, extra curriculalearning in the ordinary school environment. Some of the topics for manyenvironmental clubs are waste management, biodiversity loss and climatechange mitigation projects such as tree and mangrove planting activities.

In 2007, the EE program was further expanded with an environmentaleducation resource called the Chumbe Challenge Environment Award. Thisproject provides teaching material for student groups and teachers to continueworking with environmental issues in their local environment once they havereturned from an educational trip to Chumbe Island. Extensive evaluationseminars are held regularly to monitor the quality and to continuously improvethe EE program.

CHICOP is also building a reputation for having great knowledge in marineresource management and has been involved in training of local governmentofficials, groups of fishermen from all over Zanzibar, local NGO’s and othergroups interested in marine and coastal environment and education. Since theconsequences of climate change have become more evident throughout theregion (e.g. increased coastal erosion and changing weather patterns),CHICOP’s stakeholders have shown a growing interest in learning how tomitigate these impacts.

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Education objectives of the Chumbe Island MPA (2006 -2016)

I. To promote environmental education issues regionally

II. To provide environmental education through the Chumbe Education Program

III. To educate national and international visitors to the MPA

Between 1996 and 1999, the early EE program focused on trial excursions to Chumbeconducted with local school children. Through lessons learned during this initial phase, thecontinuously been developed through new phases. In April 2015, the program has completedwhich focused even more on teacher training through hands on seminars and workshopslearned about simple experiments that are easily applied in their local environment.

In order to fulfill the education objectives of the Management Plan, CHICOP continues operatingprogram with a very adaptive management approach, constantly trying to find new waysadapt the program in response to a constantly changing environment.

Management Plan

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EE educator, Khamis Khalfan teaches snorkeling to Zanzibari students in the shallow water, with the Chumbe lighthouse in the

To provide environmental education through the Chumbe Education Program

Chumbe Island, onlythe program has

completed Phase 10,where teachers

operating its EEways to evolve and

2006-2016

EE educator, Khamis Khalfan teaches snorkeling to Zanzibari students in the shallow water, with the Chumbe lighthouse in the background, one of 3 historical monuments on the island. Photo by Lina Mtwana Nordlund.

EE educator, Enock Kayagambe in the Chumbe classroom, explaining local secondary school children about coral bleaching. Photo by Ulli Kloiber.

Chumbe Field Excursions

The excursions to Chumbe Islandenvironmental education for schooland at the same time they give teachersconduct field-based environmentalbiology, forest ecology and conservation

Interactive pre-visits in schools, thatmonth before the actual excursion,brief overview about the environmentalfurther discussed on the island. Additionally,give our EE team the opportunitystudents and find out more about theirthe activities can be planned accordingly

Eco-bungalow studyStudents visit one of Chumbe’s 7encouraged to think and discuss aboutthat have been designed to minimizeimpacts on Chumbe e.g. studentswater harvesting system and thetoilets.

Intertidal walkDuring spring low tides students getthe intertidal zone, guided by an EEID cards of common animals and plantsspecies identification in a fun way.

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Island provide hands-onchildren of all ages,

teachers ideas for how toeducation in marine

conservation.

that are held up to onegive the students a

environmental issues that areAdditionally, pre-visits

to get to know thetheir interests, so that

accordingly.

ClassroomDuring interactive classroom sessions in Chumbe’s uniqueeducation centre, students learn more about concepts ofecology, waste disposal and coral reef conservation.

Snorkelling:Although they havegrown up near to coralreefs, most students havenever seen live corals.Many students, especiallygirls, can’t swim at all andare snorkelling for the firsttime. Therefore, lifejackets, floating rings,and tuition are a must!

Forest walkStudents explore the unique and protected coral rag forest onChumbe Island. While learning more about medicinal plantsand the geological history of the island, students areencouraged to also use their other senses such as hearing tobird songs, touching waxy leaves and smelling at mangrovesroots.

eco-bungalows and areabout different processesminimize environmental

students investigate the rainthe concept of compost

get the chance to walk inEE educator. Laminatedplants help the kids with

Photos by Markus Meissl, Ulli Kloiber and Anita Walther.

Educational Outcomes

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Since the establishment of the EE program, CHICOP has offered one-day schoolexcursions to Chumbe Island to more than 6400 students, 1100 teachers and 690community members and government officials. This equals a total number of 8203participants that have taken part in the EE program up to April 2015. Most of theparticipating students are coming from local secondary schools (80%).

CHICOP promotes gender equality and for eachisland excursion, the EE team makes sure thatnot only boys, but also girls get the opportunity toparticipate in the program.

Therefore, the students groups visiting ChumbeIsland are always mixed regarding the gender ofthe students. Between 2000 and 2015, 48% ofthe students have been girls. Especially theguided snorkelling is a unique opportunity forgirls since many do not have the chance to learnhow to swim nor the chance to see the coralreef.

Zanzibari girl returning from snorkeling in the reef sanctuary during her educational trip to Chumbe. Photo by Markus Meissl.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1 (2000)

2(2001/02)

3(2003/04)

4(2004/05)

5(2005/07)

6(2007/09)

7(2010/11)

8(2011/13)

9(2013/14)

10(2014/15)

Education Phase and season

# o

f par

ticip

ants

Teachers

Students

Others (government, community)

Outcomes

• The number of different schools applying each year to participate inthe program has increased significantly, reflecting the program’spopularity.

• The number of total education trips per year has constantly beenincreasing since its initiation in the year 2000.

• Increased interest from national and international universities toparticipate in the education trips.

• Teacher evaluation seminars, held after each EE season, confirmedthat awareness about environmental issues has increased amongstudents, after participating in the Chumbe Field Excursions.

• Inspired by the Chumbe Island Excursions many secondary schoolshave started environmental clubs, aiming to further increaseenvironmental knowledge and awareness in their communities.

• CHICOP is often used as an example of good practice for otherprojects wishing to intiate and develop Environmental Education,e.g. Misali Island (Pemba, Tanzania) or Lamu Island (Kenya).

Zanzibari girl returning from snorkeling in the reef sanctuary during her educational trip to Chumbe. Photo by Markus Meissl.

Local students studying in the Chumbe classroom. Photo by Markus Meissl. Graph left: number of participants during the different EE phases (2000-2015).

The Chumbe Challenge

6th Chumbe Challenge Environmental Award

After the EE season 2012/13, 8 local schools have worked hard and made it to thefinal ceremony which was hosted by Chukwani Secondary School on Saturday,22nd March 2014. A total of 70 participants came together to celebrate the end ofthis environmental competition and the announcement of the winners: BwefumSecondary School (1st), Mazizini Secondary School (2nd), Makoba SecondarySchool (3rd). Among the invited guests were representatives from the Ministry ofEducation, Forestry, private recycling company ZANREC and grass-root NGOCreative Solutions. Local journalists covered the event as well and as part of theInternational World Water Day, we also emphasized the importance of waterresources in Zanzibar.

The Chumbe Challenge Environmental Award wasintroduced by CHICOP in 2006. The project helpsstudents continuing with their EE learning andencourages them to investigate environmental issuesthat affect them. After each EE season, our EE teaminvites environmental clubs from all schools, that haveparticipated in educational trips, to join thecompetition. During the competition students, guidedby a committed teacher, are asked to establish twoenvironmental projects, one within their schoolcompound and another one outside of the school. Atthe end of the competition, projects are assessed byour EE team, and presented at an annual ceremonywhere the best projects are awarded.

Top left: Kusini Secondary School students planting trees in their school compound as part of their portfolio activities. BelTop right: Students from Vikokotoni Secondary School, winners of the challenge in 2015 and image from the sponge farm that E

7 steps to reach the Chumbe Challenge Environmental Award:

1. Establish an Environment Group/Club2. Carry out an Eco Audit3. Develop an Environment Statement4. Complete a Local Area Study in the school5. Choose at least one other focus area outside the school 6. Take Action7. Review, complete and submit your portfolio

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Top left: Kusini Secondary School students planting trees in their school compound as part of their portfolio activities. Below right: Bwefum E-club receiving waste training as part of their rewards as winners of the challenge in 2014.from Vikokotoni Secondary School, winners of the challenge in 2015 and image from the sponge farm that E-club members visited in August 2015. Photos by Ulli Kloiber and Enock Kayagambe.

7th Chumbe Challenge Environmental Award

Last year, 9 local schools made it to thefinal ceremony which was celebrated atKiembe Samaki School on Saturday, 2nd

May 2015. This time a total of 60participants came together and no schoolleft empty handed!

Members of the ‘Students EnvironmentalAction Club (SEAC)’ from VikokotoniSecondary School won the competitionand were awarded with an educationaltour to the east coast of Zanzibar wherethey visited students from the JambianiSecondary School. Different activitiessuch as environmental poetry readingand drama were performed andcommunity NGO ‘JAMABECO’ taught thestudents about aquaculture and spongefarming.

‘Through the Chumbe Challenge Environmental competition our students havebecome more observant and active towards environmental issues in the school!’

Teacher from Bwefum

Community Outreach

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CHICOP’s EE team works hard to increase environmental awareness, sustainability, andstakeholder workshops, teacher trainings, peer-education seminars, radio shows, internationaltake action for a healthy environment and healthy community!

Peer Education

Our Peer Education program involves 23community members from 10 communitiesaround Zanzibar. Peer educators receivetraining twice a year, covering topics thatare requested by the peers.

In September 2014, for example, our peereducators visited the community NGO‘JAMABECO’ located in Jambiani at theEast Coast of Zanzibar.

Aim of this field trip was to strengthen therelationship among the peer educators andto learn about experiences and challengesin the field. Different focus areas werevisited such as beach, intertidal and wastecollection areas. Topics discussed werebeach erosion, waste management, beachclean-ups and community involvement.

All photos from Chumbe Education archive.

Training of Government Officials

In December 2013, officers from theMinistry of Fisheries of Zanzibarparticipated in an environmentalawareness training day. The officersgreatly benefited from our hands-onactivities such as snorkelling and anopen discussion about coral reefecology and conservation.

NGO-Networking

In March 2014, our team visited‘African Impact’ a multi-award winningvolunteer travel organisation with 10years' experience and over 10,000past volunteers. On of their manyprojects is based in Kizimkazi wherevolunteers research, monitor and logdolphin behaviour.

and conservation throughout communities on and off Chumbe Island. We regularly organizeinternational environmental celebrations and school health camps to rally the people of Zanzibar to

Stakeholder workshop

Chumbe Island Coral Park supported byThe Nature Conservancy (TNC)conducted a 3-day stakeholder workshopwhich provided a unique opportunity forZanzibar’s coral reef managers, marineresearchers and dive operators to learnand share ideas about effective long-termcoral reef management. Through acollaborative and interactive approach 10participants from various sectors(government, research and private) weretrained in principles of reef resilience,emerging climate change issues andearly warning systems. On day 2 thisknowledge was taken into the field whereparticipants learned how to monitor forreef resilience by using a semiquantitative scoring system. Experiencesand feedback from the field trip werediscussed on day 3 and taken forward onhow to start networking in order toprepare for, monitor and respond tofuture bleaching events in the WesternIndian Ocean region.

At the end of the workshop, 100% of theparticipants agreed that their knowledgeof resilience had increased and manyparticipants said that they are very likelyto use the information from the training intheir work.

ZINDUKA

ZINDUKA means “Wake up!” in Kiswahili and stands for a unique program that empowersdeliver an activity based curriculum that uses soccer language and analogies to deliver keypromote healthy and responsible behavior among Tanzanian youth of between 10 to 19 years

In February 2013, Chumbe Island got interested in the program after our EE team attendedtraining in Iringa, Tanzania. Originally designed to use the power of soccer to educate,the spread of HIV, our team realized that the ZINDUKA training could add an entirely neweducation program, thus positively contributing to the students learning and overall experiencehealth and environmental education could also help students understand the connectionsthemselves and further create positive changes in their personal lives. Since HIV andChumbe’s existing education program could also serve as a platform for conversation thus

Two months after the training, Chumbe’s EE team decided to run the first ZINDUKA grassrootsSecondary School called Kiembe Samaki. Over the course of one week students fromafternoons learning about healthy life style choices, HIV, Malaria, goal setting, the signsMost importantly, the Chumbe EE team had made sure that all training concepts wereappropriate way for Zanzibar, with amazing outcomes. Zanzibari students - especiallybehind each other since the first day of the camp, started to warm up and thoroughly enjoyedday 5, spoke out in front of their group and shared ideas with the educators.

By the end of the week, 22 students graduated from the ZINDUKA Camp, which providedfor Chumbe’s Education team to connect with Zanzibari youth and to address community

All photos from Chumbe Education archive.

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empowers community role models and teachers tokey messages and start conversations thatyears of age.

attended a Grassroots Soccer and ZINDUKAinspire and mobilize communities to stop

new dimension to Chumbe’s environmentalexperience with Chumbe educators. Combining

connections between the environment andAIDS are stigmatized topics in Zanzibar,

thus further promoting healthy behaviour.

grassroots soccer camp in a local Zanzibarifrom Form I through Form IV, spent their

signs of risky behavior, and gender equality.were adapted and delivered in a cultural

especially young girls - who were shy and hidingenjoyed the soccer related activities and on

provided a fun, energetic, and different approachcommunity health issues that affect all of us.

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Celebration of International

World Water Day, March 22In 2014 our EE team organized a schooldebate involving more than 50environmental club students from two, localsecondary schools. The two topicsdiscussed were ‘Does forest conservationdecreases the opportunity for local people toincrease their income’? and ‘Can technologyand science help improve water resourcesin Zanzibar?‘

World Wetlands Day, February 2In 2014 our EE team together with ZASEA volunteers celebrated World WetlandsDay with students from Pale School, North of Zanzibar. The day started with a shortintroduction to explain why this day is celebrated and the importance of wetlands inour environment. Afterwards, Anna and Merle, two German volunteers from ZASEA,taught the students an education song about wetlands in Kiswahili. The students hada lot of fun learning about wetlands.

World Environment Day, June 5For WED celebrations in 2014, our EE teaminvited the winners from our short storycompetition to Chumbe Island. Celebrationsincluded snorkelling in the MPA,presentations and video animations aboutWED, climate change and sea level rising, aswell as interactive games which encouragedthe students to unite and fight against climatechange in Zanzibar.

Every year CHICOP plans small events for the commemoration of international,environmental days in order to inspire communities to take action and to furtherpromote environmental awareness. Our past experience shows that especiallystudents can act as passionate advocates for responsible environmental behaviorand can lead the way to new attitudes and behaviors in the wider community.

All photos from Chumbe Education archive.

Events!Celebration of International

International Coastal Clean-up, Sept 21International costal clean-ups help people take concrete actions to protect our ocean andto bring awareness to the issues of trash in Zanzibar and globally.

In 2013 our EE team together with the Zanzibar Recycle Company (ZANREC) broughttogether the environmental club from Bububu Secondary School and Muungano PrimarySchool to clean Maruhubi Beach. It was very encouraging to collaborate with somefishermen and community leaders from Maruhubi fishing village. We managed to collect55kg of plastic bottles which were sent for recycling.

World Ocean Day, June 8"Healthy Oceans, Healthy Planet" was the theme in 2015 and our EE team was thrilled tospend this day with students from Chukwani Secondary School who were so excited tolearn more about coral reefs, marine protected areas and curious dolphins. Among thehighlights of this special afternoon were the Ocean Quiz (and associated prizes), andsinging together the famous "Save the Ocean" song!

Staff Training

Chumbe Island has a very strong conservation andeducation team, consisting of a Head Ranger, fourGuiding Rangers, three Patrol Rangers, anEnvironmental Educator, a Conservation andEducation Assistant and a professional expatriatemarine biologist who coordinates the team.

Wherever possible, CHICOP employs people fromnearby communities, though with their limited formaleducation and skills much on-the-job-training isrequired and especially the conservation andeducation team continuously undergoes specializedtraining which is crucial for the various roles.

All photos from Chumbe Education archive.

Kathleen Corradi, a science teacher from US joined theChumbe conservation team for a two months internshipduring July and August 2014. Kathleen assisted andsupported diverse projects such as seagrass monitoring,preparation of conservation information material forguests, and ranger training on the island.

In April 2014, Headparticipated in a 3 daysMonitoring in Pemba. Forsurveying the Chumbe Reefyears, this was a greatknowledge and challengesparticipants.

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Bakari Kassim Bakari has been trained as a guidingranger over a 3 months period and has started workingwith Chumbe Island at the beginning of June 2015. He isZanzibari and brings experience in guest relation andScuba diving as he has previous worked as a dive guidewith a local dive company.

In October 2014, Conservation and Education Assistant,Enock Kayagambe attended a Coastal Ecology andNatural Resource Management course at the University ofDar es Salaam. Together with students from the School ofInternational Training (SIT) program he was able toincrease his knowledge about marine ecology and naturalresources through lectures and field trips.

Diving professionals from ‘SCUBA DO’ in Kendwa trainedour rangers in life saving rescue techniques and first aidin April 2014. The training, supervised by Khamis, aqualified RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution)instructor and his assistant Juma, was both, theoreticaland very hands-on, and formed a very important part ofour continuous ranger training program.

Ranger Omari Nyangeworkshop on Coral Reef

For Omari, who has beenReef Sanctuary for the last 10

opportunity to exchangewith the trainers and other

Ramadan Rangers

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Photos by Ramadan Rangers.

Each year during Ramadan we are relieving our Zanzibari rangers from taking guests for guidedfour weeks. We were very happy to have Leigh Howarth and Sarah Pickup from UK assistingvolunteering with us in 2015. Here is what they say about their experiences as Ramandan

When we wake up in the morning, the first thing wewonder about is the weather. Is the sky blue? Is itwindy? What do the waves look like? These are themost important signs to tell if we going to have agood day.

Morning arrival of new guests gives a rhythm to theday. The reef, of course, is very pretty. Pristine, infact, thanks to the continued efforts of the rangers inpatrolling. The bright colors and variety ofpersonalities hiding amongst the corals make for amagical experience. This experience may best bedescribed in the following way: it is the kind of activityyou could do nearly every day, sometimes twice aday, for 35 days and still be excited about on the 36th

day. Another way to think about it is as the sort ofexperience that leaves virtually all visitors with abright glowing halo of happiness when they climbback onto the snorkeling boats.

The Chumbe staff are the good-natured and easy-going spirit of Chumbe, and made us feel anintegrated part of the team. The rangers tell eclecticstories and are eager to engage in thoughtfulconversation.

All in all, life as a Ramadan Ranger on Chumbeisland, with its coconut crabs and soft sunsets, leavesa lasting impression and a warm afterglow. We feelfortunate to have shared our time with all the staff,guests, and creatures we have encountered!

Molly & Noah, 2015

guided snorkelling tours and invite qualified volunteers to work with the ranger team forassisting our ranger team in 2014, and Molly Moynihan and Noah van Horne from America

Ramandan Rangers on Chumbe Island:

Our days were the perfect balance betweenperiods of hard work, and periods of purerelaxation.

Leading the snorkel tours was so much fun. In notime at all, we knew the reef off by heart. If a guestwanted to see a lobster, or a sting ray, we knewexactly where to take them. We loved seeing theguest’s reaction to the Chumbe reef. Many guestshad snorkelled and dived all over the world, butnone had seen a coral reef in such pristinecondition. The diversity of fish and corals was trulyjaw dropping.

In the evenings we delivered talks on coral reefs,fish identification, mangroves and seagrassecology. The guests loved these talks and wouldask many questions, spurring discussions thatsometimes lasted for hours. It was brilliant to meetso many people who were so interested in themarine environment.

During Ramadan, the Muslim staff fasted everyday until the sun went down in the evening. Aftertheir prayers, we were then welcomed to join themin eating for the first time that day. Huge plates ofcassava, potato, fish, banana, and dates weregrabbed in large handfuls by the staff and washeddown with spiced porridge. This became aneveryday routine for us.

We miss them all greatly.Leigh and Sarah, 2014

Photos by Ramadan Rangers.

Acknowledgements

There are many people that have contributed to this status report, with data, texts, research findings and images. In no specific order the contributers are:

Current team:

Sibylle Riedmiller, Director of Chumbe Island Coral Park Ldt.

Eleanor Carter, Non-Executive Director of CHICOP

Kevin MacDonald, Project Manager of CHICOP

Enock Kayagambe, Conservation & Education Assistant

Khamis Khalfan, Environmental Educator & Outreach Officer

Omari Nyange, Head Ranger on Chumbe Island since 1992

Christopher Muhando, Researcher at Institute of Marine Science, Zanzibar

Markus Meissl, Nature Photographer

Former team members:

Lina Mtwana Nordlund, Conservation & Education Manager

Dana Baker, Peace Corps Environmental Officer

Jacob Skaggs, Volunteer at Chumbe

Nell Hamilton, Community Outreach Coordinator

Kendra Collier, founder of the Chumbe Challenge Award program

Elizabeth Tyler, Founder of the coral monitoring program

Mikala Peters and Anders Knudby, marine biologists

Frida Lanshammar, Karlyn Langjahr, Helen Peeks and Eleanor Carter, Project Managers

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We hope you have enjoyed learning more about our conservation andeducation programs, if you have questions please do not hesitate tocontact us at chumbe@zitec.org. We hope to see you in the near future!!

Chumbe Team

References

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