Wildlife Conservation at Mnemba

PRINT
SEND

At &Beyond we seek to maintain a low impact on the land while deriving high yield for our conservation initiatives by creating very small luxury lodges that support enormous tracts of biodiverse land, which remains untouched. At every lodge we seek out small (and sometimes not so small) but meaningful ways of putting our values into action every day. Each &Beyond lodge supports the conservation of wildlife and contributes to its neighbouring communities in one way or another. In addition, we seek to limit our impact in terms of fossil fuels, the use of renewable energy, water and waste management, and recycling.

At Mnemba Island Lodge seawater is desalinated for use on the island and local fishermen are sponsored to protect the surrounding reefs.

Current Sustainability projects at Mnemba

Spectacular coral reefs at Mnemba Island

Experimental Fish Aggregating Devices

Mnemba Island provides financial and logistical support to an experimental program that has introduced six Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) into the waters west of north-eastern Zanzibar. These devices consist of a concrete anchor, nylon ropes and pressure floats, which combine to attract pelagic (deep ocean) fish. In time, it is hoped that local fishermen will be able to obtain sufficient catches of tuna and other species from the FADs, and reduce impact on the fragile coral reefs.

Fun Conservation Lessons at Mnemba Island

In order to protect and preserve the rich and fragile ecosystem of the Zanzibar Archipelago surrounding &Beyond's beautiful Mnemba Island, the lodge has embarked on an ongoing campaign to inform and inspire the youth from the nearest community through interactive and exciting Conservation Lessons.

The Suni Antelope found on Mnemba Island

Mnemba Island Protects the Suni Antelope

Over 50 of the diminutive Suni antelope which live on Mnemba Island were captured and translocated to the Jozani Forest Reserve on the main island of Zanzibar. In the absence of any predation, the Suni had multiplied on Mnemba and were occurring at too high a density. Mnemba's donation of these little antelope has improved the species' status at Jozani.

Protection and monitoring of Green Turtles

Mnemba Island provides a safe breeding refuge for Green Turtles which lay their eggs above the island's high tide mark. Mnemba staff monitor and document all turtle breeding activities, and make their data available to local marine biologists. A number of individual turtles have been tagged under the auspices of the Zanzibar Dept of Fisheries and Marine Resources, and breeding data is published in &Beyond's WildWatch annual.

White coral sand beaches at Mnemba Island

Supporting environmental sustainability at local villages

Mnemba Island has no resident community but works closely with the villages of Matemwe and Kigini, situated on the main Zanzibar island. In addition to supporting schools and helping to develop vegetable gardens, Mnemba has erected a windmill and sponsors beach clean-ups. Financial support and housing for MIMCA staff has been provided and ways are explored to prevent over-utilisation of reef fishes.