The creation of East Africa’s largest artificial reef to date

Heritage Hotels has supported Buccaneer Diving and Buccaneer Wrecks of Mombasa, Kenya in the creation of East Africa’s largest artificial reef.

Heritage Hotels, Kenya’s leading hotel group has supported Buccaneer Diving and sister company Buccaneer Wrecks of Mombasa, Kenya, in the creation of East Africa’s largest artificial reef. The reef was created in October by the sinking of a 75 metre decommissioned livestock vessel, the MV Dania, within the Mombasa Marine Park. The new artificial reef will be a leading attraction for guests at the beachfront property and further boost the promotion of sustainable tourism in the area.

The creation of artificial reefs is a growing worldwide trend and is in response to the global degradation of coral reefs, caused by human and climatic impacts. The world’s reefs are under threat everyday from human activities such as coastal development, irresponsible tourism, over fishing and land-based sources of pollution. According to World Bank and UNEP statistics, up to 38% of the African coastline is considered at risk from human development and expansion. This figure increases to 82% in Indonesia where illegal ‘blast fishing’ is practised.

Environmental conditions including climate change, increasing ocean temperatures and ozone degradation, contribute to demise of the coral reefs. The UNEP-WCMC World Atlas of Coral Reefs, the most detailed assessment of the status and distribution of the world’s coral reefs to date, states that the ‘El Nino’ phenomenon experienced in early 1998 resulted in the unprecedented bleaching and consequent loss of 90% of the corals in some parts of the Indian Ocean, representing 5% of the world’s reef area.

In recognition of these alarming statistics and in support of the United Nations International Year of Eco-tourism (2002), Buccaneer Wrecks Ltd, Mombasa, intends to make M.V. Dania East Africa’s largest Artificial Reef.

Hundreds of artificial reefs have been created around the world using a diverse range of materials from military tanks to naval ships. Extensive research has been carried out to monitor and quantify the success of these artificial reefs. The results illustrate that artificial reefs develop into thriving reef communities, almost indistinguishable from their natural counterparts. The success of artificial reefs is due to the provision of greater shelter, new food sources, greater juvenile protection and more space for marine organisms. Space is the limiting factor in a coral reef environment, and a new structure of this kind is inhabited within months.

Kenya markets itself as an environmentally sustainable tourist destination. An artificial reef of this size provides extensive new habitats for the myriad of endangered reef dwellers of the Kenyan coast. In addition, it is a study forum for academics; provides a new location for scuba divers; offers protection for other established valuable historic sites and increases foreign exchange revenue for the tourism industry. In addition, it will provide a means for the local community to give something back to nature and conserve their marine environment.

For further information visit www.heritagehotels.co.ke or contact Amalie Dence, BGB & associates, by email: [email protected] or telephone 020 7233 2300