Strengthening Fisheries
Monitoring Capacity
A two-phase project to strengthen the fisheries monitoring and co-management capacity of five Beach Management Units within the KAMAMKUKI Joint Co-Management Area, promoting the use of reliable fisheries and ecological information to support informed, adaptive management of shared coastal resources.
304 km² Ocean Area
KAMAMKUKI JCMA
5 Beach Management Units
Kilifi & Mombasa
October 2024 – November 2026
Two-Phase Project
Our Joint Mission
The KAMAMKUKI
Co-Management Area
The KAMAMKUKI JCMA spans approximately 304 km² of coastal and marine waters within Kenya's territorial sea. It brings together the Kuruwitu, Kanamai and Mtwapa BMUs in Kilifi County and the Marina and Kidongo BMUs in Mombasa County.
These institutions work alongside the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) and the respective county governments to manage shared fisheries resources under the framework established by the Fisheries Management and Development Act No. 35 of 2016.
"The project's approach is centred on building the capacity of BMUs and allied co-management institutions to implement fisheries regulations and management measures effectively and accountably."
Five BMUs
Kuruwitu, Kanamai, Mtwapa, Marina, Kidongo
Two Counties
Kilifi & Mombasa working together
10 Landing Sites
Fisheries catch monitoring stations
Evidence-Based
Data-driven adaptive management
Two-Phase Implementation
Building Capacity
Step by Step
The project responds to a set of interrelated pressures on the JCMA's fisheries and unfolds in two strategic phases from October 2024 to November 2026.
Phase 1: Foundation
Oct 2024 – Sep 2025Phase 1 focused on diagnosing and addressing governance and institutional capacity gaps across the five BMUs and establishing a fisheries catch-monitoring system at ten landing sites within the JCMA.
Institutional Assessment
Governance and capacity diagnostics across all five BMUs
Catch Monitoring
Ten landing sites equipped with fisheries data collection systems
Baseline Data
Establishing fisheries and ecological baselines for adaptive management
Capacity Gaps Identified
Strategic roadmap for Phase 2 strengthening
Phase 2: Strengthening
Dec 2025 – Nov 2026Phase 2 builds on those foundations across four priority areas: strengthening BMU governance and compliance through a structured mentorship programme; promoting peer learning, knowledge exchange and collaboration among BMUs; improving the financial resilience of fisheries-dependent communities through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs); and deepening fisheries and ecological monitoring to support evidence-based management decisions.
BMU Governance & Compliance
Structured mentorship programme for institutional strengthening
Peer Learning & Exchange
Cross-BMU knowledge sharing and collaboration networks
Financial Resilience (VSLAs)
Village Savings & Loan Associations for fishing communities
Fisheries & Ecological Monitoring
Deepening data collection for adaptive management decisions
The Context
Addressing Interrelated
Pressures
The project responds to a set of interrelated pressures on the JCMA's fisheries: destructive and illegal fishing practices, declining fish stocks, habitat degradation, weak enforcement, limited institutional capacity within co-management bodies, and the growing economic vulnerability of coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on increasingly stressed resources.
Destructive Fishing
Illegal and destructive fishing practices degrading marine habitats
Declining Fish Stocks
Overfishing and environmental pressures reducing fish populations
Habitat Degradation
Coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves under increasing stress
Weak Enforcement
Limited capacity to enforce fisheries regulations and management measures
Institutional Gaps
Co-management bodies lack capacity and resources for effective governance
Economic Vulnerability
Coastal communities increasingly dependent on stressed fisheries resources
Evidence-Based Solutions
A Community-Centred
Approach
Interventions span governance and institutional development, fisheries catch and ecological monitoring, compliance strengthening, financial resilience for fisheries-dependent households, and community food security.
Governance & Compliance
Structured Mentorship
BMU governance and compliance strengthening programme
Compliance Assessments
Regular monitoring and enforcement capacity building
Institutional Development
Addressing capacity gaps in co-management bodies
Fisheries Monitoring
Fisheries Catch Monitoring
Ongoing data collection at ten landing sites within the JCMA
Community Resource Surveys
Ecological monitoring and baseline assessments
Data-Feedback Sessions
Stakeholder engagement to support adaptive management
Financial Resilience
Village Savings & Loans (VSLAs)
Improving financial resilience of fisheries-dependent communities
Community Financial Resilience
Building economic buffers for vulnerable households
Reducing Resource Pressure
Alternative income sources to decrease fisheries dependence
Peer Learning
Exchange Visits
Promoting peer learning and knowledge exchange among BMUs
Collaboration Networks
Building partnerships between five Beach Management Units
Stakeholder Engagement
Technical partnerships and community participation
Building for the Future
Expected Outcomes:
Beyond the Project
Stronger Co-Management System
Better-coordinated co-management supported by capable BMUs
Reliable Fisheries Information
Continuous monitoring and data collection systems
Improved Compliance
Strengthened enforcement and adherence to fisheries regulations
Greater Community Financial Resilience
VSLAs and alternative income sources for fishing households
Stronger Partnerships
Multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable fisheries management
Self-Sustaining Systems
Functional, accountable systems that endure beyond the project period
"These activities are designed to establish functional, accountable and self-sustaining systems for fisheries co-management that endure beyond the project period."
Support Community-Led
Fisheries Management
Your contribution directly supports fisheries catch monitoring, governance strengthening, community financial resilience through VSLAs, and peer learning networks across the KAMAMKUKI Joint Co-Management Area - building capacity for sustainable fisheries management.
Support the Project →Fisheries Monitoring
BMU Governance
Community VSLAs
Peer Learning