Secure coastal communities and seascapes through collaborative stewardship

The project addresses coastal community and environmental challenges such as unsustainable fishing practices, overfishing, habitat degradation, and weak governance. It aims to promote resilient livelihoods for coastal communities and protect marine ecosystems by adopting sustainable fisheries. A participatory approach will be used to map and co-design conservation strategies for sensitive fish habitats in Kilifi county, Kenya. The project will enhance the capacity of four Beach Management Units (BMUs) and local stakeholders to sustainably manage fisheries resources, identify and support four alternative livelihoods, implement a fisheries catch monitoring and digital marketing, and procure market infrastructure for four BMUs. It includes establishing one Joint Co-management Marine Area Plan (JCMA plan) with a seasonal octopus closure in Roka.