The Ocean Trust Partners with Mars Sustainable Solutions to Form a Kenyan Coral Alliance
Following a highly successful partnership in 2023 with the NGO, The Ocean Trust (TOT), the Mars Sustainable Solutions (MSS) team returned to Kenya to complete a coastline wide review of coral reef restoration efforts, provide further Mars Assisted Reef Restoration System (MARRS) training and identify future restoration sites.
The initial phase of the restoration project involved returning to the heart of The Ocean Trust's conservation efforts in the Lamu Archipelago. There, the team assessed the progress of the pilot restoration sites established in 2023, finding an amazing coral survival rate across all sites. Following from the success, they continued to install an additional 70 Reef Stars and out planted over 1000 coral fragments, expanding the restoration area to more than 200 Reef Stars in total.
Efforts are also underway to establish a community-driven marine protected area (MPA) covering approximately 100 hectares, encompassing the restoration site and its surrounding reef system. Within this proposed MPA, the team are putting great efforts into identifying crucial reef restoration sites, with the ultimate goal of restoring the entire reef system—a significant milestone for coral reefs in Kenya.
"Our relationship with Mars Sustainable Solutions and having them as a scientific partner has been invaluable. We now have a web of restoration knowledge from across the world which we can draw information and data from." - The Ocean Trust
2024 Updates from TOT
Alongside partners, deployed 6 Reef Star restoration sites across the coast of Kenya.
Filled 11 nursery trees.
Filled 11 nursery Reef Stars
Attended 13 community meetings reaching an average 850 people
Identified further potential restoration sites
Worked towards protecting a 100-hectare marine area
Trained new TOT staff members in MARRS
1 TOT staff member gained new diving qualifications
Gained charitable statues in UK for international funding
Finishing up training to be regional and international trainers for MSS
Building a workshop/training and education centre
Building a purpose-built restoration boat
