Chumbe Island Coral Park Newsletter (2000 Laureate)

A New Year is here and it is time for us to reflect on the second half of 2005, to remind us of the memorable events on Chumbe Island and the wonderful people who have visited us, on this small unique island in the Western Indian Ocean. It is also a great opportunity to introduce new members in the Chumbe Team, while also showing our appreciation to the members who have left the team to join other projects.

The past six months have been a time of very high visitor numbers, with guests, agents, journalists, scientists, educators, film makers and writers visiting from all corners of the world. We have even had very special marine visitors, who made the long journey from Antarctica! This period has also been an exhilarating time for many young students from Zanzibar who had the chance to see brightly coloured tropical fish and fascinating coral gardens for the very first time in their lives.

One of the highlights of 2005 was Chumbe’s nomination for another prestigious award … a big thank you to everyone who voted for us for the 2005 Sustainable Tourism Awards (presented by the Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Cares for Tomorrow). Chumbe Island was one of three finalists, but unfortunately we didn’t win the award this year. Congratulations to Black Sheep Inn Ecolodge in Ecuador for winning the Conservation Award.
Chumbe Island also succeeded in becoming a finalist in the First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards 2005, organised by responsibletravel.com. This award was won by Chumbe Island last year. This year the award for Best in a Marine Environment went to the Venus Company in the UK, congratulations.

These award nominations are essentially owed to the outstanding work and never-failing friendliness and enthusiasm of the Chumbe Team. Naturally, Chumbe Island would never have reached such successes without you, our Chumbe friends. We thank you warmly for your continued support and we look forward to meeting you again in 2006. “Karibuni Chumbe!”

Happy reading,
Helen Peeks
Project Manager

Staff
We are sad to see our Lodge Manager, Sadik Magwiza, leave Chumbe after many years of commitment and dedication to the project. We wish him all the happiness and success in his next job and trust that he will keep the eco-tourism torch burning … watch out for the hippos in the Rufiji river!

Here’s a message from Sadik himself.

“I’ve worked for Chumbe for five years now, and it has been the best experience I have ever had in my life. I never thought a place like Chumbe existed.

I started as a waiter and climbed my way up to being a Lodge Manager. In these years my fellow Chumbe team and I have gone through so much, but we have managed to conquer all obstacles and we have taken Chumbe forward.

I consider myself a very fortunate person to have worked for Chumbe. I was given plenty of opportunities and exposure here. Now after 5 years I feel that I need some new challenges and that’s when this place, Rufiji River Camp (Selous National Park), came into the picture. I think it will be a good opportunity for me, because I will gain new experience in Safari & Wildlife, as I’ve seen the sea side already. I have been to this place and I’m convinced that I have made the right decision.

It was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, to leave people who became like family to me, and to leave a place where I’m highly appreciated, a place where my job security is 100 %, it was very hard! Chumbe has been more than just a working place to me.

There are people I’d like to thank for all the support and courage they gave me. First to Allah, for giving me the strength. Sibylle, for starting a place like Chumbe. Eleanor Carter, Aaron, Pip, and Francesca, for seeing the drive I had to do more, the trust they had in me, and for giving me the chance. Debs, to whom I worked as an assistant, thanks for being a good teacher.

Helen, my current Project Manager, for her understanding, respect, trust and support. Godfrey Mloka, who is replacing me, for being a good assistant and my best friend. All managers and supervisors, for helping me carry out my plans and for their hard work. Lisa and Carol, for being good friends and uplifting.

Finally, but most important, the Chumbe Team, you are my heroes, without you I wouldn’t have made it. Praise to you, you are the assets Chumbe can’t afford to lose. You’ll always be in my heart. Thanks”. By Sadik Magwiza.

Welcome to our new Lodge Manager, Godfrey Mloka!

Godfrey Mloka has been employed as the new Lodge Manager, and will be assisted by Leyla Warsame.

Reservations and Marketing – by Generose Ngulimi
During the past 6 months the Chumbe marketing department improved with the addition of 2 more staff members who are co-operating with Generose, the Reservations Manager. Sylivia Kajuna joined as a part time employee and works weekends and holidays. David Kiwanuka Murphy joined as an intern for 2 months, as part of his final year at Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. He was studying a Bachelors in Tourism and specialises in eco-tourism. Due to his enthusiasm, commitment and hard work, the project has now employed him as the general administration assistant.

Chumbe Island was visited by several writers and journalists this year. Gillian Scoble from Getaway Magazine (SA) visited in September to complete her research and include Chumbe in their “Most Romantic Destination” Issue. In October Philip Briggs from Bradt Travel Guide visited the island to get update materials for their 5th edition of this prestigious guidebook.
Chumbe Island has had an unprecedented season with the island being virtually full since June. We all hope that 2006 will be just as busy.

Conservation – by Mikala Peters
It has been a popular time for cetaceans in the past six months; many dolphin species have cruised past the Chumbe Reef, in search of food whilst showing off their acrobatic talents, especially the Spinner dolphins! The Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin, a rare and shy species, surprised us all when a small pod came very close to a group of snorkellers. In September and October many snorkellers heard Humpback whales sing their infamous songs. These whales over-winter in this region before returning to Antarctica with their young to feed on krill. A lucky few even witnessed a Humpback whale breach out of the water right off Chumbe!

Every year during the month of Ramadhan, a volunteer helps out on Chumbe, particularly in guiding guests during snorkelling. This year's Ramadhan Ranger was Malcolm Lindsay, a marine biologist from Melbourne, Australia. His enthusiasm for the reef and every little or big creature living in it was contagious to all guests and staff. We all enjoyed his company thoroughly, especially his musical talents with the guitar. “Asante sana, Malcolm, karibu tena!”

The Chumbe team has been delighted to meet many interesting visitors and researchers from all over the world. From Mafia Island Marine Park, Tanzania, eight district leaders spent the day on Chumbe exchanging experiences with Chumbe's rangers. Furthermore, Chumbe is the main focus for three separate research projects, lead by Swedish students, Kjersti Thorkildson, Charlotte Johansson and Matilda Thyresson, who are investigating eco-tourism and parrotfish feeding patterns respectively. There is a continued collaboration between Chumbe and researchers from the Institute of Marine Science (University of Dar Es Salaam), who are investigating coral recruitment and sea temperature changes.

On land, the Ader's Duiker have returned to the spotlight, as two researchers from the Macaulay Institute (UK), Andrew McWilliam and Javier Barberia, visited in December to do preliminary studies on improved monitoring techniques. Omar and Jaku, rangers, were very fortunate to have seen the Duikers roaming in the thick coral rag forest over a period of several months. Plans are underway to continue intensive monitoring of these endangered antelope species.

In October, Chumbe had some unusual visitors... three kayakers came ashore, as part of their extensive journey from Kenya to South Africa. These guys are travelling along the East African coastline, visiting unique places where they help out with village or community organisations, and leave soccer balls as gifts behind. Check out their Chumbe experience at the following site, http://k2kexpedition.blogspot.com/2005/11/zanzibar-and-new-arrivals.html .

Chumbe's Coconut Crabs attracted plenty of attention in September, when a film crew from South Africa came to document their unique features and adaptations as part of their weekly environmental show for kids. Check out their latest news at http://www.homebrewfilms.co.za/ .

Chumbe's rangers have dedicated a lot of time on their professional development in the past six months; Jaku volunteered at the Jozani Forest in Zanzibar, while Omar and Khamis sailed with Safari Blue in the Menai Bay Conservation Area. Furthermore, big congratulations to Omar, for completing his PADI Open Water Course. The rangers have also embarked on a new project called ‘Saintpaulia’, sponsored by the Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation, facilitated by long time Chumbe supporter Colin Watkins. This project aims at the production of Chumbe's very own Natural Field Guide; a guide to Chumbe's flora, butterflies, and inter-tidal species. There will be an introductory course to Photography provided to the rangers, who will also compile fascinating local knowledge as well as scientific information of the featured species.

Education – by Mikala Peters

In collaboration with SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme, http://www.sadc-reep.org.za/ , the Education team facilitated 10 school excursions between August and November. Four different secondary schools from the Western district of Zanzibar participated and enjoyed a fabulous educational experience on Chumbe. Snorkelling for the very first time was again the highlight for most students and teachers. Many female students and teachers were so impressed that they wished they had the opportunity to learn how to swim. No swimming facilities are currently present in Zanzibar, even though many people would be eager to learn.

Here are some comments from students of the Laureate International School, Zanzibar.

“Chumbe Team is a team of co-operative people that have united together to run the CHICOP organization. A team that help to conserve the environment (aquatic and terrestrial) and have maintained the best on eco-tourism. I am really grateful and praise then very much for the great job they have done………I thank them for the warm welcome that they have given to us and showed us all the precious things that are in the sea especially the coral.” Chan Wei Lang.

“I am very grateful to the Chumbe team that they have given us all the education practically.” Naim Ayoub.

To enhance the students and teachers' preparation to the Chumbe school excursion, there has been a new 'Coral Reef Conservation' Booklet produced by a local NGO, "Community Development and Environmental Conservation in Zanzibar" (CODECOZ), in collaboration with CHICOP. The booklet is in Kiswahili and provides essential information on coral reef science and conservation, we've had wonderful feedback from students and teachers.

An important part of Chumbe's Education Programme is the Teachers' Evaluation Seminar held at the end of every phase. The last seminar was held on Chumbe in November, in participation with teachers from the local schools as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. Positive feedback on Chumbe's very successful and popular excursions was provided, as well as recommendations to improve the programme even more. The Education Team is very excited to embark on the next phase of the Education Programme, with lots of new ideas and continued enthusiasm!

A warm welcome to Kendra Collier from the UK, who has joined the education team. Kendra has extensive experience in education and is passionate about environmental education which shows in her work with the children. Kendra is also assisting with the editing of Environmental Education booklets, which are planned to be produced by Zanzibar's Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. These booklets will provide crucial training material for teachers in Zanzibar, for the integration of environmental education in the curriculum.

Chumbe's education team has been cooperating with Chukwani School's Environmental Club, a very active team of students who dedicate a lot of time and effort in looking after their school environment; e.g. planting trees, collecting rubbish, etc. They are corresponding with the Robinson O'Neal Primary School in the British Virgin Islands, exchanging information on their cultures and working together on environmental issues. In 2006 both schools will embark on a UNESCO project called Sandwatch. Check out Robinson's website, http://www.robinsononeil.com/ , and discover their fabulous projects, like the restoration of a Snorkelling Trail... http://www.robinsononeil.com/coral.htm .

A big thank you to Phil Hurt, the English language volunteer who came to Chumbe, for six weeks, in July and August. His English lessons were fun and enjoyed thoroughly by the team, we miss him very much… we hope he returns for another visit in 2006.

Conferences – by Sibylle Riedmiller

Showcasing Chumbe Island at another exciting conference!
The Chumbe Island management were invited to showcase the project in the Destinations 2005 second Annual Summit of the World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development, which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 24-26 October. The World Tourism Forum, identified throughout the globe by the brand ‘Destinations’, is a worldwide movement that brings together three United Nations bodies (WTO - World Tourism Organization, UNESCO - United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization, UNDP - United Nations Development Program) and the Government of Brazil, represented by its Ministry of Tourism. The event brought together hundreds of business leaders in the tourism world, government authorities, academics, researchers and NGO members.

Our Director, Sibylle Riedmiller, was a panellist in a seminar focusing on Socially Responsible Tourism, where she presented a PowerPoint entitled "Ecotourism Saving Coral Reefs - What Can Make it Happen? Experiences of Chumbe Island Coral Park Ltd. in Zanzibar/Tanzania". The presentation generated a lively discussion.

In this panel, Sibylle was delighted to meet the representative Klaus Betz and other two 2005 winners of the renowned German TO.DO! Award for Socially Responsible Tourism (www.to-do-contest.org): Finca Sonador from Costa Rica, represented by Edith Quijano Ruanos (secretary of the Tourism Committee of Finca Sonador/LM.), and Finca Esperanza Verde from Nicaragua, introduced by Manager Yelba Valenzuela. Throughout the conference, Klaus, Yelba, Edith and Sibylle shared many great moments attending the staggering choice of panels and memorable evening outings in this amazing city.

As one of the only two private sector delegates, Sibylle also participated in a 2-day technical meeting on Certification of Sustainable Tourism, organized under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The seminar discussed documented evidence on the effectiveness of certification as sustainability governance tool, a number of certification programs and stakeholder perceptions of certification. It provided great insights into the history, institutional arrangements, experiences and issues concerning tourism certification.

One of the main findings was that, as also reflected by the surprisingly low number of private sector representatives invited to the seminar, the present certification programs are not market led and have little marketing value. As a consequence they suffer from limited demand by the tourism industry, which makes it difficult for them to fund their operations. While certification standards usually aim very high, there is no assessment of the commitment, cost and time that an average company would require to meet such standards. Critical mass is a must (World Bank 2005), but this mass is not being achieved. The certification programs developed had no empirical data to suggest that the tourism industry wanted certification, other than anecdotal evidence from companies already performing well. At present there is “no market demand information available on tourist industry demand for certification” and “few businesses believe membership in a green certification program will enhance business” (Rainforest Alliance 2003). (Summarized from an illustrative study on “Tourism Certification as sustainability governance tool: assessment and prospects” produced by Xavier Font who also moderated the seminar. Contact: X.Font@leedsmet.ac.uk ).