Strengthen Institutional Capacity
This programme generates the evidence, innovation and financial sustainability that support long-term conservation. It combines scientific monitoring (in partnership with WCS), community knowledge and sustainable revenue models.
Governance Pillar
Strategic Plan 2020-25 | Pillar of Development
Governance & Co-Management
Supporting fisheries communities of Kilifi County in application of state and county policies, rules and regulations governing aquatic resource ownership. This is achieved by promoting the Joint and Co-Management Areas that allow fishers rights to community based natural resource management, targeting fisheries co-management through core activities of Beach Management Units (BMU).
Beach Management Units
18 BMUs across Kilifi Network coordinating community-based fisheries governance.
Joint Co-Management
120 km² under Kenya's first Co-Management Plan - community rights meet institutional support.
Policy Application
Supporting communities in applying state and county regulations for resource ownership.
What We Do
Scientific Monitoring
Quarterly ecosystem health surveys with WCS tracking coral, fish biomass, and seagrass across 15 years of data.
BMU Network Coordination
Supporting 18 Beach Management Units managing 120 km² of co-managed waters across Kilifi County.
Sustainable Finance
Economic models, ecotourism concessions, and revenue strategies that keep conservation alive beyond donor cycles.
Community Passion Needs Professional Backbone
The Kuruwitu model works because it's backed by rigorous science, sustainable finance, and institutional support. Community-led doesn't mean community-alone. Oceans Alive provides the technical expertise, monitoring infrastructure, and evidence base that turns grassroots passion into policy-ready conservation.
In partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), we conduct quarterly monitoring surveys that track ecosystem health across coral cover, fish biomass, and seagrass recovery. This isn't data for journals - it's proof that the model works. When the Royal Family visited Kuruwitu in 2023, when IUCN awarded the Blue Champions recognition in 2022, when Kenya's government endorsed the first Co-Management Plan - they did it because the evidence was undeniable.
This programme also generates the sustainable revenue models that keep conservation alive beyond donor cycles: economic assessments, business plans, aquatic ecotourism concessions with Vipingo Ridge and LEAP, grants from IUCN/EU BIOPAMA, and KCW-CBO revenue streams generating USD 10–20K annually. Conservation that doesn't pay for itself doesn't last.
Scientific Monitoring & Assessment
Partnership with Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) | 15 Years of Data
In partnership with WCS, Oceans Alive conducts quarterly monitoring surveys that track the health of Kuruwitu's marine ecosystems. These aren't academic exercises - they're the proof that community-led conservation delivers measurable, long-term recovery. Fifteen years of data show a 400% increase in fish biomass, 30% reef recovery, 17% seagrass regrowth, and an 85% coral survival rate in restoration sites.
Fish Biomass Monitoring
Catch Assessment Surveys (CAS) and Frame Surveys (FS) track fish abundance and diversity across the sanctuary and surrounding waters. The 400% biomass increase within the Tengefu LMMA and 135% improvement in surrounding catch prove that protected areas benefit fishers, not just fish.
Coral & Ecosystem Health
Regular assessments measure coral cover, recruitment, and reef condition. An 85% survival rate in coral restoration sites demonstrates that community-led restoration isn't just symbolic - it's rebuilding reefs at scale, backed by science.
Sustainable Finance Models
Conservation that doesn't generate its own revenue doesn't survive. This programme develops the economic models that keep community-led conservation alive beyond project cycles: aquatic ecotourism concessions with Vipingo Ridge and LEAP, business plans for community-based organizations, and diversified funding from IUCN/EU BIOPAMA and other strategic partners.
Kilifi BMU Network Coordination
Oceans Alive coordinates the Kilifi County BMU Network - 18 Beach Management Units managing 120 km² of co-managed waters. This isn't bureaucracy; it's how fisher voices reach county and national policy. We support BMUs in applying fisheries policies, developing co-management plans, and ensuring that community rights are recognized and protected.
Scientific Monitoring
In partnership with WCS, quarterly monitoring surveys track ecosystem health and conservation impact through Catch Assessment Surveys, Frame Surveys, and the State of Fishery 2021 report.