Coastal Community Conservation

Coastal Community Conservation

What are some of the most important factors you’ve discovered through your work with coastal communities?

One of the most important insights from working closely with coastal communities is that conservation efforts succeed when communities feel genuinely included and valued as they possess traditional knowledge about their ecosystems and when this knowledge is combined with science it leads to more practical and accepted solutions. I have also learned that social dynamics such as gender roles, livelihood pressures and levels of awareness strongly influence participation. Additionally, consistency in engagement, transparency and clear communication helps communities feel ownership of conservation initiatives thus making them more motivated to safeguard their resources.

What can you tell us about the importance of sustainable fishing practices in Kenya’s coastal region? 

Sustainable fishing practices are at the heart of food security and resilience in Kenya. Many households rely directly on fisheries for both income and nutrition, so the long-term health of fish stocks is closely tied to community wellbeing. Unsustainable practices like use of destructive gear, targeting juvenile fish or fishing in sensitive habitats threaten biodiversity and reduce catches over time. Fish populations can regenerate through the use of sustainable methods such as gear restrictions, habitat protection and data-driven decision-making. This has the potential to secure livelihoods and protect the different ecosystems (coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds).

Deep-sea ecosystems

What inspired your interest in ocean conservation and in particular deep-sea ecosystems?

I was born and raised in Mombasa, where the ocean was an everyday part of my life. We visited the beach often, and I was always captivated by what I saw from the colour, waves crashing, tidal pools and the marine life. Whenever I asked the adults around me to explain what was happening, they gave answers that only raised more questions. That curiosity stayed with me and pushed me to learn more about the ocean for myself. Once I was done with high school education I pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Marine Biology and Fisheries at Pwani University. Deep-sea ecosystems are some of the least explored yet most ecologically significant areas of the ocean. Their mystery, diversity and vulnerability spark my interest. Knowing that decisions on resource use are often made with very limited information motivates me to be part of the efforts that generate the scientific knowledge needed to conserve these ecosystems.

What surprising discoveries have you made or learnt about regarding deep-sea ecosystems in Kenya’s coastal region?

What has surprised me most is how rich and diverse Kenya’s deep-sea ecosystems actually are, despite how little I previously knew about them. During the trawling surveys along the Kenyan coastline at the North Kenya Banks where the Tana River deposits its sediments proved to be remarkably productive. I also learned that deep-sea species interact with shallower food webs, meaning changes or disturbances in deeper waters can affect fisheries and marine biodiversity closer to shore. Understanding these connections reinforces how important it is to protect deep sea habitats as part of broader marine conservation.

Lamu Marine Conservation Trust

How has your work at the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust led to the increased protection of marine ecosystems? 

My work at the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust has helped strengthen marine protection by improving community engagement, enhancing data collection and promoting conservation awareness. I collaborate with Beach Management Units (BMUs) from ten villages and other stakeholders (the Government and Civil Societies) to collect fisheries catch data, which supports informed decision-making for resource management collaboratively. Data collection methods are standardized to ensure accuracy and this helps in identification of trends that guide conservation interventions.

Additionally, I support environmental education programmes by facilitating community meetings, and participating in monitoring exercises (turtle conservation and mangrove patrols). This has increased community ownership of marine protection initiatives and hence contributing to better compliance, stronger stewardship and greater awareness of the value of healthy marine ecosystems.