Kenya’s NEMA finally sees the light and approves Whale Shark Research and Discovery Centre

WAA WHALESHARK CENTRE FINALLY GETS NOD OF APPROVAL FROM NEMA

(Posted 10th December 2015)

Conservation starts with awareness building and education, so much has been clear for a long time. For the past decade the East African Whale Shark Trust (EAWST) and more recently the Waa Whale Shark Research & Discovery Project, has dramatically increased awareness of whale sharks and started the serious discussions now taking place in Kenya about the whale sharks along our coast. Joining us, conservationists, animal-rights activists, big game fishermen, marine biologists, scuba divers, national and international media (including several TV channels) are now increasingly talking about the whale shark, its future, and what it means for the Kenyan coast.
What is anticipated, for now at least, is that the juvenile resident whale shark population will be greatly diminished, and perhaps even gone, if little or nothing is done to protect them. There is a potential disaster on the horizon for this magnificent species. The new Lamu port constructed by the Chinese will inevitably lead to increased awareness of the monetary value of the fins, liver, and oils of the whale sharks in Kenya and fears are spreading, given the dismal record of the Chinese vis a vis blood ivory and the poaching chain, that the whale sharks are next on their menu list to reap quick and of course ill gotten gains..

Once the local fishermen and the Chinese recognize that the whale shark fin is as valuable as ivory, and the fact that it is easy to hunt them in Kenya as there is no policing in place whatsoever, then the slaughter will begin here in earnest. It is indeed a God-sent blessing that the whale sharks here have gone relatively un-noticed for so long, especially bearing in mind that most fisherman along the east African coast know the value of shark fins from other species. Worldwide, over the last three decades, this has led to a 97% loss of the world’s apex shark species such as tiger, bull and hammerhead sharks to name but a few. In the short space of 30 years have humans managed to almost wipe out a collection of shark species that roamed our oceans already 200 million years before the dinosaurs. Many apex sharks are considered ‘threatened if not near extinct’ and the grim reality is that if nothing is done they face certain extinction!

The Waa Whale Shark Research & Discovery project shares one thing in common with both proponents and critics of the vision which was developed: Everyone is concerned with the protection and survival of the whale shark, particularly along Kenya’s coast. The main goals of this endeavour is to protect sharks, enhance marine conservation efforts and empower local communities. What the project intends to accomplish is to show these communities that a live shark is by far more valuable than a dead, finless shark on a Kenyan beach somewhere with its liver cut out.

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in a recent report has pointed out that whale sharks are an ‘internationally recognized biological resources and are incredibly important to maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem’. One can only agree with NEMA’s observation. The Waa whale shark project not only supports the sharks as important biological resources but also greatly enhances their value as economic resources in a way that does not endanger their lives by only focusing on them as valuable for their fins, livers and oil. The project’s purpose is to support efforts to save the species as a biological resource by shifting the economic focus from killing them to showcasing them as a remarkable link in the marine ecosystem. This would have the added benefits of aiding Kenya’s impoverished coastal communities such as Waa with the tourist income the project would generate, attracting more tourists to the Kenya coast, and providing funds for the overall effort to promote programs to protect the shark species in general.

Benefits that have already emerged as a direct result of the Waa Whale Shark Research & Discovery project that aid the local community include introducing Spirolina farming, a very promising, futuristic and sustainable aquaculture endeavour; raising funds for a new madrassa (childrens’ Muslim school) in Waa that was completed in July 2013 and is attracting volunteers from all over the world. The project team is also regularly mobilizing the local people for monthly beach cleanups and marine conservation seminars, raising funds to support the Born Again Orphanage in Ukunda as well as local schools.

These benefits would not have emerged if it wasn’t for the Waa Whale Shark Research & Discovery initiative. The publicity, positive and, sadly also negative by individuals who have not understood what the project is all about, attracted many supporters and even more attention to this noble cause. It definitely increased awareness and helped the project gain the local support of the entire Kwale County assembly, including the Senator, Governor and Women’s representative as well as the support of the local communities of Kitivo, Kombani, Matuga, and Tiwi.

Different conservation organizations pointed out several issues in their observations of the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report. However, the people behind the Waa Whale Shark Research & Discovery project are committed to making sure these issues and concerns are addressed to everyone’s satisfaction. To this end, after NEMA’s public hearing held in Waa in 2013, the project hired marine biologists, and NEMA lead-experts to address these concerns in a comprehensive addition to the initial EIA report. This was done in the interest of sharing information with everyone concerned and in the hope that at least some of the project’s opponents might change their mind. The project team, contrary to suggestions, do not have any ‘hidden agenda’ as suggested by some vocal critics. That being said is the project team, ascertained after longish discussions with them and ongoing interaction for the better part of last year, are fully aware that they can’t change everyone’s mind. Advocates against captivity will most likely find it difficult to see any benefits in even short captivity, even if this one day helps save these majestic fish. This addition to the EIA report was added to the original EIA and can be obtained from NEMA. We promise that each and every question and concern has been addressed in this comprehensive addition, and whenever appropriate our positions are scientifically based.

Other parts of the world are now proposing similar projects and are recognizing the need to showcase sharks in order to change public attitudes towards them in order to promote support for the species survival: to protect sharks and to attract tourists. Without doubt the most iconic shark species of them all to affect this change and to attract much needed tourism is the whale shark. With an annual shark-based tourism growth rate of 27% and estimated annual worldwide growth in related economic expenditures of over 700 million US Dollars in the next two decades, Kenya could potentially benefit greatly from this trend. Gallagher & Hammerschlag established that: ‘Based on current observed trends, shark watcher numbers could more than double within the next twenty years, generating over 780 million USD in expenditures around the world. This supports optimistic projections at new sites, including those in an increasing number of shark sanctuaries enacted in recognition of the ecological, and economic importance of living sharks’.

While Kenyan’s debate the pros and cons of a plan such as ours, the Australians may lead the way to new shark ecotourism potential with their plans to build a SeaQuarium for white sharks.

http://www.portlincolntimes.com.au/story/1578131/underwater-shark-discovery-centre-bid-for-lincoln/

Those who oppose similar efforts here in Kenya are invited to review the goals and objectives of the Waa Whale Shark Research & Discovery Center and understand that it is a coherent, well-researched and well-planned project that forward looking Kenyans brand as ground-breaking, innovative and in keeping up with future trends. However, those who for their own reasons continue to view the project negatively should at least appreciate the commitment to focus on the potential of the project as a way to help protect the species, aid the coastal community people and help Kenya’s tourism needs. We must all address the grave risk of losing the whale shark completely in the imminent future and be open to different methods to protect them.

Ultimately, whale shark ecotourism can play a productive role in helping Kenyans to visualize President Uhuru’s goal of 3 million tourists by 2017. The Waa Whale Shark Project will attract much needed tourism revenue to the coast and greatly assist in the realization of Kenya’s VISION 2030.