About Us
Home / About / About Us
About us
Located in Matemwe, on the North-East coast of Zanzibar, Under The Wave is a Non-Profit Organization with a diverse group of people united by a common passion—protecting the ocean, supporting the local community, and restoring coral reefs in Zanzibar. All of our projects are tied to our core purpose:
Our Purpose:
1. Facilitate sustainable living practices within local communities
2. Promote awareness and engagement for marine and coastal ecosystems
3. Protect, conserve, and restore the marine environment of Zanzibar
History
In the early 2000s, Yongmi, a passionate diver, visited Zanzibar, drawn by its stunning coral reefs and rich marine life. However, she soon noticed alarming changes in the ecosystem—the once-thriving populations of turtles and fish were dwindling. What used to be a dive filled with 20 turtles had reduced to just one sighting per week.
Realizing the urgency of protecting the coral reefs, Yongmi set out to engage the local community in Zanzibar. Many locals, particularly fishermen, didn’t understand why fish populations were decreasing or the importance of coral reef restoration. Then, Yongmi met Laura, a marine biologist, and together, they founded Under The Wave. Their first major project was the creation of Zanzibar’s first turtle hatchery—a sanctuary to help replenish endangered turtle populations.
Under The Wave grew into a collective focused on marine conservation, coral reef restoration, and developing sustainable fishing practices. Working alongside local fishermen, the team blended traditional knowledge with innovative conservation methods to revive Zanzibar’s marine ecosystem.
By 2022, Under The Wave had expanded significantly. They brought on board local marine biologists from Zanzibar University and international volunteers, all dedicated to marine life conservation and monitoring the health of the coral reefs.
Today, Under The Wave, led by Laura and a growing team, continues to thrive. Through partnerships with organizations like Living Ocean, the team works tirelessly to restore Zanzibar’s marine environment. Their mission is not only to protect marine life but also to inspire others around the world to take small steps toward ocean conservation, wherever they may be.
Matemwe
Matemwe, located on Zanzibar’s east coast, is home to some of the island’s most beautiful coral reefs and a high diversity of marine life, including sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and hundreds of fish species. However, increasing tourism and local fishing activities around Mnemba Atoll are putting immense pressure on the reef. Without intervention, these activities threaten to degrade the reef and harm Zanzibar’s marine ecosystem.
To address these challenges, Under The Wave is working closely with local communities, the government, and other NGOs to promote sustainable fishing practices, restore coral reefs, and raise awareness about marine conservation. This collaboration is essential to ensuring the long-term protection of Zanzibar’s marine environment and fostering a more sustainable future for both the ocean and the people who depend on it.
Help Us Make a Difference!
Support our work by donating through The Living Ocean NGO. Your contribution will directly aid our projects and help protect Zanzibar’s marine environment.
What impact will your donation have?
- $10 – A field trip for one curious student
- $30 – One month of maintenance for our sea cucumber farm
- $200 – An educational snorkeling field trip for a class of 40 students at Mnemba Reef