HOW MANGROVE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE PRAWN FISHING ARE REVIVING IN MWACHE CREEK

For generations, Mwache creek has been the lifeline of local communities—offering prawns, fish, and shelter from the storms of poverty. But today, there’s a different kind of rising waters—one of conservation, cooperation, and sustainable livelihoods.

A fish nursery inside Mwache creek 

“We realized we were fishing ourselves into extinction,” said Chirunga Jumaa a fisherman for over 34 years and a Chairman of the Bonje Beach Management Unit (BMU) whereby its regulations were since 2016 “So we decided to protect what we have before it’s too late.”

Mwache Creek is a mangrove creek located in the coastal region, a home to rich biodiversity, including commercially valuable prawn species and extensive mangrove forests. But years of overfishing, mangrove record and unregulated harvesting had left the ecosystem delicate.

“Ten years ago, prawn catches were higher, and mangrove trees were everywhere,” said Jumaa. “But then the creek began to die. Fish disappeared, and the water became polluted. We knew something had to change.”

Under Jumaa’s leadership, the Bonje BMU, a local community organization mandated to co-manage fisheries resources with the government, began implementing a transformative shift in practice.

The community which consists of 712 members,whereby 472 are women,106 men and 134 people with disability. They began by replanting mangroves, recognizing their critical role in maintaining water quality, providing fish breeding grounds, and shielding the coastline from erosion.

In collaboration with environmental NGOs and the Kenya Forest Service, more than 20,000 mangrove seedlings have been planted over the last five years and money allocation was 3.78million. Additional the BMU has thrive to be consistent with 3 types of Mangroves which are black mangrove (Avicennia),Red mangrove (Rhizophora) and Button wood.

BMU chairman said leading the team in planting the Red mangrove seedlings in mwache creek

“Mangroves are more than trees,” said Jumaa. The seedlings that they plant are 300,050 under 24.3 hectare land. There are also fish nurseries, carbon sinks, and protectors of our future.”

The Bonje BMU also introduced sustainable prawn fishing techniques. Traditional fishing methods, which often relied on destructive gear such as fine mesh nets, were replaced by gear that allows underage prawns and other species to escape. BMU has achieved to also keep different types of fish like prawn,marine tilapia and also milk fish.

Bmu Chairman chirunga holding a big fish prawn 

In addition, fishing calendars were established—designating closed seasons during breeding periods to allow stocks to recover.

“Now we follow nature’s clock,” Jumaa explained. “We fish when it’s time, and we rest when it’s time.”

This approach, supported by scientific data and community wisdom, has already shown promising results. Prawn catches have increased in both size and number, and incomes have begun to stabilize.

Empowering Communities and Youth has become something of value beyond environmental gains, the conservation efforts have empowered the local population. Youth groups now participate in mangrove planting, eco-tourism ventures, and fish monitoring, turning what was once seen as unskilled work into a source of pride.

“We’re not just fishing for today, we’re fishing for our children’s future”

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Encroaching development, illegal logging, and limited enforcement of fishing regulations continue to threaten the delicate balance.

Juma calls for stronger partnerships with local and national governments, and sustained investment in environmental education and enforcement.

“Conservation is not a one-time event,” he said. “It’s a lifestyle. We need everyone on board Mwache Creek is not just surviving—it’s slowly thriving.