SHIMONI, Kenya — Behind the gates of a small, forested property by the sea in Shimoni, a town on Kenya’s south coast, preparation for coral restoration was underway one afternoon in March. One part of the compound was strewn with concrete sinkers, steel and plastic cages and mounting blocks. Young men and women took advantage of the shade to work protected from the unforgiving coastal sun. They were building artificial reef structures to hold baby corals that they would soon outplant into the sea nearby, part of a project led by a local branch of the Dutch NGO REEFolution. Since 2018, the project has placed 3,600 artificial reef structures to restore coral reefs on more than 5,000 square meters (54,000 square feet) of the Wasini Channel. A short distance west of the REEFolution compound, also right on Wasini Channel, a new fishing port is taking shape. Its large blue and white buildings dominate the landscape. A new jetty dwarfs the existing one used by local fishers. Soon, residents will start seeing huge international fishing vessels docking at the port. The port project, which has been supported by President William Ruto, cost the government 2.6 billion Kenyan shillings ($20 million) and is slated for completion in June. While the government promises local people opportunities for jobs and businesses once operations start, some residents foresee more harm than good from the port. Conservation activities and livelihoods have already suffered during the construction phase, which began in 2022, and they fear it may…This article was originally published on Mongabay