Six little islands make up Kalpeni Atoll, which sits in the Indian Ocean west of mainland India. They are part of the Lakshadweep Archipelago, India’s coral islands. The waters host an astounding 929 fish species (and more are identified all the time), marine turtles (especially green and hawksbill), spinner and bottlenose dolphins, and giant clams.

The reef ecosystem, however, is threatened by overfishing, anchor damage, plastic waste, and pollution. A few fishers use small-mesh nets, which scoop up all kinds of marine life and damage the seabed. Important fish species like the big, slow-growing parrotfish and the endangered humphead (Napoleon) wrasse are especially vulnerable. Seagrass meadows have been declining.

Kalpeni Island’s 4,500 residents are deeply connected to the ocean; many of them make a living using traditional fishing methods. To protect their island and way of life, they will:

• Create a 741-acre locally managed marine area in the lagoon—the first legally protected marine area in Kalpeni. It bans harmful fishing gear, imposes seasonal closures, and establishes no-take zones in coral patches, seagrass beds, and fish spawning sites.
• Put out community-managed mooring buoys and restrict anchoring in reef areas.
• On a quarter-acre site, restore seagrass, guided by indigenous knowledge of local tidal flows, grazing patterns, and historical seagrass distribution.
• Transplant coral fragments to restoration sites, in anticipation of reef damage a proposed breakwater may cause .
• Conduct awareness campaigns on responsible fishing, sustainable livelihoods, and plastic pollution as well as beach cleanups.

The community is using a Seacology grant to build a community knowledge center—a hub for education, workshops, women artisans, and tutoring. Our project partner, REEF, will also help 40 households learn to make coconut-based soap, shampoo, and planter pots.