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Life is Better in Colour

By bleaching our logos and websites, we are shining a spotlight on the alarming phenomenon of coral bleaching that is occurring the fourth time on a global scale - all around the world.

worldmap with bleaching alert

The clock is ticking, and the vibrant coral reefs that have thrived in our oceans for centuries are vanishing before our eyes. Climate change, pollution, and warming waters have left these underwater cities in peril, their bright colours fading like forgotten memories.

In November, ICRI in partnership with the Coral Reef Alliance, “bleached” its logos for the first time in solidarity for coral reef conservation. We encourage you to join us and bleach your logo with us.

>> The plan and how you can support the action

 

Coralreef restoration and aquacultures for humans and oceans

Half of the world's population lives along seashores. The coastal regions are overexploited and further weakened by climate change. Coral reefs are dying, the marine fauna is impoverished, and local communitiess are struggling to survive.

marinecultures.org initiates small-scale conservation projects: We support people around Zanzibar in the development of ecological aquaculture. Together with local communities and authorities we carry out activities to protect and restore marine ecosystems.

Our projects are developed in collaboration with experts. They are financed by donations and foundations. And around Zanzibar they secure a sustainable livelihood for a growing number of families.

 

The spongy creatures cleaning Zanzibar's oceans

From the series 'Climate Guardians', BBC Future Planet, 4min, Kiswahili with English subtitles.

BBC Reel

 

Our Activities

Growing sponges

Sponge farms provide the communities on the east coast of Zanzibar with a better income. Natural sponges are a popular product and a profitable business for women farmers.
>> Growing sponges

Protecting and restoring coral reefs

With our coral farm in the lagoon of Jambiani we reforest damaged reefs and draw attention to the importance of endangered coral reefs. The corals are essential for the marine food chain.
>> Protecting coral reefs

Conserving fish stocks

Thanks to the protected areas that we are establishing in the lagoon with fishermen and local authorities, fish stocks can recover, thus enabling sustainable fishing in coastal waters.
>> Conserving fish stocks

Spongefarm
 

Strengthening independence, dreams coming true

Most of our sponge farmers are single mothers. They have little chance of finding a job that generates enough income to care for their families. In addition, after separation they are often forced to return to their family, where they are usually more tolerated than welcome.

"My house here is the main reason why other women are now following me to become sponge farmers." Kazija, the first sponge farmer in Jambiani

"The life of my family has been a great challenge every day. After I started in the sponge farm, I was able to feed my family better and start a small business with vegetables". Mtumwa

"Thanks to my training as a sponge farmer, I can feed my family, build my own house and have electricity. We may never achieve all of our goals, but I have already achieved half of mine." Shemsa

"I haven't reached my dreams yet. But I am thankful that marinecultures.org helps me. My big dream is to replace my hut with a stone house." Mariam

"Working as a sponge farmer helps me to pay school fees, feed my family, and is enough for other personal needs. My expectation for the future: to become a good seller of various products." Haira

"My girl has problems with her eyes. What I earn with the sponges enables me to treat her disease. Even though I am the mother and father of this family and I am confronted with different problems of my children, I have found something that I wished for. I bought a chest of drawers with a dressing table for the family room". Zulfa

"One day someone told me about the sponge farms. I immediately started looking for someone to take care of my children when I was at work. Fortunately, I found someone to take responsibility when I leave the house." Asha

"We've always lived in the lagoon with sponges. But only now have we learned how they help us to improve our lives and those of our children. Sometimes something is very close to us without us knowing how to make money with it." Shemsa