Omari’s Story: Building the world’s first privately managed nonprofit marine park

(Image: Meeting Omari Nyange Ame)

Since I was very young, I’ve loved the sea. My father was a fisherman, and I would often go with him or watch others fishing. As I got older, I began to notice how some of these fishing practices were harming the marine environment. I saw fishers using gill nets around coral reefs, and when their nets got stuck, they would smash the coral with poles to free them. That’s when I realized how much damage was being done—and I started thinking about the future. If we destroy these reefs now, what will be left in 10, 50, or even 100 years?

Determined to make a difference, I went to study at the Fisheries Education and Training Agency (FETA) at Mbegani - Bagamoyo, where I learned about fishing, marine science, gear technology, and marine engineering. It was during this time that I learned the importance of protecting the ocean. I decided that I wanted to teach others—especially the younger generation—about how to preserve our environment. Today, I see myself as both a protector and a teacher.

(Image: Chumbe Island at sunset)

I’ve been working on Chumbe Island since 1992, and the reef has become my home. My job is to protect this conservation area—the land and the sea—to make sure no one comes here to destroy these ecosystems. Chumbe is unlike any other place I’ve seen. The coral here grows better than anywhere else in the region. In fact, this reef is one of the most beautiful and diverse I’ve ever come across, with around 200 species of coral—90% of the species you’ll find in East Africa.

We have over 500 species of reef fish, blacktip reef sharks that breed in these waters, and green sea turtles in the seagrass beds. The shallow reef crest is filled with hard corals, creating an underwater world that snorkelers can experience without needing to dive deep. For many, this is their first glimpse of a truly protected and largely untouched marine ecosystem.

(Image: the reefs are alive with life surrounding Chumbe Island)

Located just upstream from key fishing grounds near Stone Town, the main city of Zanzibar, the sanctuary is a breeding and recovery zone. Fish, corals, and other species live here, spreading out to repopulate overfished and degraded areas nearby. With a fish biomass exceeding the pristine threshold of 1,100kg/ha, this reef sustains livelihoods and contributes to the coastal economy of Zanzibar.

I also love monitoring the Ader’s Duiker, a small and endangered species of antelope that lives in our forest. These animals used to be abundant in Zanzibar, with around 5,000 in 1984. But by 1999, only 700 remained. Before the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964, Ader’s Duikers lived naturally on Chumbe. But after the revolution, hunters from nearby villages wiped them out. So we decided to bring some back here to create a safe place for them. Now, I monitor this protected forest by patrolling it to make sure no one is cutting trees for timber, charcoal, or lime production, or hunting—activities that used to threaten this area.

(Image: Chumbe Island is known for its crab life)

Beyond monitoring, I train the younger rangers in everything we do here, from snorkeling and guiding guests in the intertidal zone to patrolling day and night. My goal is to pass on what I’ve learned so they can protect Chumbe with the same care. I’ve trained about 30 rangers during my time. Some are still with us, while others have moved on to work in other protected areas like Pemba, Misali, and Mnemba, where I’ve also helped train rangers. Keeping this island and reef safe is my life’s work, and I am proud to be part of its story.

Since the very beginning

When Sibylle Riedmiller, the founder of this project, first set out to establish Chumbe Island as a protected area in the early 1990s, she began by visiting local villages. She explained her vision and said she needed people with marine knowledge to help the reef. I was one of five selected after interviewing, and I started working on Chumbe in 1992 at the very start.

(Image: Sibylle was an avid sailor who stumbled upon Chumbe Island on one of her voyages)

Back then, it wasn’t easy. We built this place with limited resources and support, but mostly with our bare hands. Fishers had been using these waters for generations, and when we told them it was now a protected area, they were angry. They’d ask, “Why are you here? What are you doing? We’ve been fishing here for so long—where are we supposed to go now?” As a ranger just starting out, some threatened to fight me. There were only four of us then, working in shifts or two at a time, trying to patrol the area and explain the importance of what we were doing.

This wasn’t just a fishing area for many—it was a temporary base. Fishers would set up small huts, or banda, on the island and camp for months at a time, fishing the waters and returning to Zanzibar to sell their catch. When we began protecting Chumbe, it meant asking these fishers to leave the island and give up a way of life they had known for generations. Naturally, there was going to be push back.

(Image: Omari conducting a coral survey)

By 1994, CHICOP was officially gazetted as Tanzania’s first marine protected area. Over the years, the fishermen began to see the benefits of the sanctuary. It took time and patience, but eventually the overall attitude towards us started to change. With fishing banned around Chumbe, fish began to breed in abundance. Fishermen who once opposed us now see how fish stocks have increased in surrounding waters, providing them with better catches outside the protected area.

How do we know this is working? We tag fish here in Chumbe. Then, we let them go. When fishers catch them outside the sanctuary, I collect the tags. I visit harbors and fishing camps, and I explain to them, “If you find a tagged fish, you’re free to take the fish, but I will need to take my tag back.” I even pay them 1,000 shillings for the tag. Through this program, we’ve learned that fish from Chumbe travel far—sometimes up to seven miles outside the no-take zone.

(Image: the lighthouse on Chumbe Island)

Some fishermen now call us “Chumbe Mama”—like a mother that nurtures and provides for her children. The reef is where the fish come to breed and grow strong before they swim out to replenish the fishing grounds. I’ve seen schools of fish like rabbitfish and red snapper gather here in large numbers. After a few months, those same schools move beyond Chumbe’s boundaries, where fishers can harvest them. Because of this, fishermen have even asked us if we can do the same work for other islands around Zanzibar, and bolster fisheries across the entire archipelago. Now, fishers who once resisted are now some of our biggest allies.

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but year after year, more people understand the importance of conservation because of our education efforts. Now, fishermen tell us, “You’re doing a good job.” We’ve earned the fishing community’s trust and support. I think a lot of the early successes had to do with the fact that we were from the community itself—we can speak the same language as the fishermen. They started to listen, because well, we were once one of them!

(Image: Because of Omari and the team’s work, coral cover is extensive within the coral park)

A changing climate

When I first started, some areas of the reef were completely barren—no coral colonies at all. After about ten years of protection, coral began to regrow naturally, and we’ve also worked with the Institute of Marine Sciences to plant coral in key areas. Those once-barren spaces are healthy now. It’s amazing to see how far Chumbe has come.

But that doesn’t mean our work is over. The impacts of climate change are more present than ever, making this the next big challenge we need to take on. The fishermen are now working with us, but it’s the changing climate that often feels it’s working against us. Corals, which rely on symbiotic algae are especially vulnerable to rising sea temperatures. These algae not only give corals their unique colours but also provide them with 80% of their food. When the water temperature rises above 30°C, the algae die, leaving the coral without its main energy source. This causes bleaching, which we see more frequently now.

(Image: CHICOP underwater)

The reef is relatively resilient compared to others in the region. Corals here are deeper, around seven to eight meters, which offers some protection. But in shallower waters, corals can die more easily during temperature spikes. We also face threats from crown-of-thorns starfish, which feed on coral. Their natural predator, the Triton shell, has been overharvested by fishers, leaving some reefs unbalanced. Here on Chumbe, we work to manage the crown-of-thorns population by physically removing them, which has helped our reef remain healthy.

But then there’s the weather. Strong winds and waves are starting to get more frequent and especially during low tide, they can roll coral colonies into one another, causing widespread damage. We’ve seen this happen during seasonal weather events, although the reef has been spared from major storms in recent years. The rainy season, particularly in March and April, brings its own challenges. Runoff from the mainland carries sediment and fertilizers into the ocean, which can smother corals and cause fish to become stranded on exposed reefs during low tide.

Because of this, we monitor the reef closely with temperature loggers and other tools. We’ve observed how coral growth rates vary with temperature: between 24–26°C, corals thrive, growing several inches per year. But when temperatures exceed this range, bleaching becomes inevitable. Every degree of change matters. The ocean is unpredictable, but our work to protect Chumbe’s reef is constant. With careful management and ongoing monitoring, we’re giving this unique ecosystem the best chance to survive and adapt.

(Image: Omari’s endless dedication to the coral park)

I invite everyone to come and witness this extraordinary place for themselves. Hearing about conservation efforts is one thing—experiencing the results firsthand is another. On Chumbe, nature is thriving, from the world’s largest land-living crab to the tiniest reef-dwelling microorganisms, all making a remarkable comeback thanks to the protections we’ve put in place on land and at sea.

But the message I want to leave you with is this: caring for our environment isn’t optional—it’s essential for its survival. Nature must be a priority, not just here, but everywhere. If we don’t act now, we risk losing so much of the beauty that makes this planet extraordinary. Protecting nature isn’t just about today—it’s about tomorrow.

As told to Andi Cross in November 2024.

About the Ocean Breakthroughs

As part of joint efforts of the Ocean & Coastal Zones community and building on the Ocean for Climate Declaration, the Ocean Breakthroughs have identified five turning points to reach by 2030 to achieve a healthy and productive ocean in 2050. These five turning points are focused on the most crucial ocean sectors: marine conservation, ocean renewable energy, shipping, aquatic food, and coastal tourism. Accelerated action and investments in each will help unlock the potential of the ocean as a source of solutions to the pressing challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

The scientific evidence is clear: as a major climate regulator and the largest living space on Earth, the ocean is integral to delivering the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework. The Ocean Breakthroughs are science-based targets designed to boost mitigation and adaptation efforts, for the benefit of People and Nature. They will contribute to delivering on the global campaigns led by the Climate High-Level Champions (CHLCs), namely the Race to Resilience and Race to Zero, and their respective action agendas: the Sharm-El-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and the 2030 Breakthroughs.

About the HLC x Edges of Earth Expedition

The women-led global expedition, Edges of Earth, has partnered with the CHLCs to bring to life the Ocean Breakthroughs initiative by sharing personal accounts and climate action stories from remote coastal communities. The partnership features interview-style stories that highlight the experiences and efforts of locals, Indigenous communities, nonprofits, and ocean scientists in addressing climate change. Celebrating its one-year anniversary, Edges of Earth has travelled to 25 countries (with nearly 30+ more to go throughout 2025) working closely with diverse groups to understand and amplify their climate resilience strategies.