Conservation

How We Conserve Wildlife

'some of the most significant and endangered habitats and wildlife in the western Indian ocean'

Vamizi Island and the seas around it harbour some of the most significant and endangered habitats and wildlife in the western Indian Ocean, with over 180 species of unbleached coral and over 400 species of reef fish.

When the Maluane Project - the project that conceived and controls the eco-tourism development of Vamizi Island - came to the area over a decade ago, there was great concern that this area would one day come under pressure from indiscriminate fishing and general population pressures.

Vamizi Island and the Maluane Project have a permanent conservation team that support various direct conservation activities to actively resist this threat.

Besides a number of community initiatives, as well as day to day ocean surveillance, the team is also at work on the ocean and forest floor. Current activities include:

  • turtle monitoring,
  • reporting illegal activities of industrial long-line fishing,
  • in-depth marine surveys,
  • clearing reefs and bush of invasive species,
  • a low level whale research programme,
  • a dolphin research programme and a PhD study on the impact of the diving tourism in the local communities

Every guest that stays in the lodge contributes to these activities, with a mandatory conservation fee of US$ 20 for each night stayed.