The WCS Kenya Marine Program brings together experts in marine science, community development, and fisheries management to protect Kenya’s marine ecosystems while supporting coastal communities. Through cutting-edge research and innovative conservation solutions, we aim to safeguard marine spaces and inspire people to value nature. Our focus areas include small-scale fisheries, coral reefs, ocean giants, sharks and rays, area-based conservation, and conservation finance.
The program is committed to conserving the rich marine biodiversity along the Kenyan coast through science-based solutions, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. We address challenges such as habitat degradation, overfishing, climate change, and the loss of critical, threatened and endangered species like ocean giants, sharks, rays, and coral reefs.
WCS Kenya collaborates with key stakeholders, including Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), and Kenya Fisheries Services (KeFS), along with local communities and other NGOs, to implement effective conservation and management strategies. These partnerships enable us to conduct scientific research, manage resources, and advocate for policies that promote sustainable marine practices.
Our work supports food security and income for coastal communities by promoting sustainable fisheries management and enhancing biodiversity. We strengthen Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) to protect vital habitats, and support conservation finance through initiatives like the Miamba Yetu: Sustainable Reef Investment Programme, which funds conservation-focused businesses.
Conservation Challenges
The challenges that WCS Kenya Marine Program seeks to address in achieving its goals include:
- Habitat Degradation
- Overfishing
- Climate Change
- Loss of Critical Species
- Insufficient Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and (OECMs)
- Inadequate Awareness and Capacity on Sustainable fisheries
- Inadequate Conservation Finance
- Policy and Resource Management Gaps
Conservation Approach
The approaches that WCS Kenya Marine Program employs to achieve its objectives include:
- Evidence-Based Science
- Community Engagement
- Stakeholders Partnerships and Collaboration
- Sustainable Fisheries Management
- Coral Reef Restoration and Protection
- Strengthening and expansion of MPAs and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
- Supporting innovative financing models
- Climate Change Mitigation
Goals
The goals of the WCS Kenya Marine Program are:
- Protect Kenya's Marine Ecosystems and services
- Support Coastal Communities
- Conserving Marine Biodiversity
- Promote Sustainable Fisheries Management
- Enhance Coral Reef Restoration
- Strengthening Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)
- Support Conservation Finance
Accomplishments
- Contributed to the development of Kenya’s first National Plan of Action for Sharks (NPOA-Sharks) (2024-2028).
- Supported in the development of Co-management Area Plan for four Beach Management Units along the Kenyan Coast
- Supported the development of Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve Management Action Plan (2022-2025)
- Supported Kenya Wildlife Service in developing Guidelines for Evidence Handling during Patrols in Marine Protected Areas
- Organizing the Annual Fishers’ Forum for over 20 years.
- Contributed to the review of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act NO. 47 of 2013
- Production of 153 scientific publications on Kenya’s Marine Protected Areas