Fisheries Management

Overview

At Bahari Hai, we are committed to empowering coastal communities in Kenya to sustainably manage their marine resources. Our Fisheries Management Programme builds on from our foundation of deep experience and work with fisher communities of Kenya and is further refined by the successful models developed by our strategic partner Blue Ventures – a leader in community-led marine conservation. This programme addresses the challenges of overfishing, habitat degradation, and economic insecurity faced by small-scale fishers in Watamu and surrounding areas.

By focusing on community-driven approaches, we aim to rebuild fisheries, enhance food security, and promote financial inclusion.

Through collaboration with local fishers, we foster thriving oceans that support both biodiversity and human well-being.

Programme Pillars

Our programme is built on four interconnected pillars, centered around community data to inform decision-making:

Community-Based Fisheries Management:

Empowering local communities to design and implement management plans, including temporary closures, gear restrictions, and habitat protection to ensure sustainable fish stocks.

Community-Based Fisheries Management:

Empowering local communities to design and implement management plans, including temporary closures, gear restrictions, and habitat protection to ensure sustainable fish stocks.

Financial Inclusion:

Offering access to savings, loans, and grants to help fishers invest in sustainable practices, stabilize incomes, and build resilience against economic shocks.

Food Security:

Improving access to nutritious seafood and alternative livelihoods to reduce malnutrition and ensure households can meet their basic needs.

These pillars work together to create a holistic framework where ecological health supports community prosperity.

Strategic Goals

Our strategic goals align with creating positive outcomes for both people and the planet:

Manage Resources and Maximize Benefits:

Through effective fisheries management and secure rights, we help communities optimize resource use for long-term sustainability

Positive Households:

By integrating financial inclusion and food security, we support households in achieving economic stability and nutritional well-being.

Thriving Fishers, Thriving Oceans:

Ultimately, our interventions at local, regional, and national levels aim to foster resilient ecosystems and empowered communities.

Community Pathway: From Awareness to Sustainability

We guide communities through a phased approach to build capacity and scale impact:

Catalyse (0-1 Year): Raise awareness, form fisher groups, and implement initial management actions like pilot closures. Secure basic rights and provide starter financial support.

Iterate (1-3 Years):

Refine strategies based on data and feedback. Strengthen governance, expand financial services, and monitor food security improvements

Expand (3-5 Years):

Scale successful practices to neighboring communities. Integrate advanced data tools and advocate for policy changes.

Sustain (5+ Years):

Embed management in local institutions for autonomy. Ensure ongoing support networks for enduring resilience.

This pathway allows communities to progressively take ownership, leading to self-sustaining fisheries management.

Why it matters

Small-scale fisheries are vital for:

Local nutrition and food sovereignty
Economic inclusion of fisher households
Sustainable ocean ecosystems

Bahari Hai’s Fisheries Management Programme ensures that communities are not just beneficiaries—but leaders—in shaping the future of their fisheries.

Learn more about our fisheries work below

Watamu Conservation Festival: A different wave!

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28/10/2025

Watamu Conservation Festival: A different wave! Join us for Watamu Conservation Festival, WCF 2025 8 November Mida Creek, Kenya 7AM – 4PM …

Sharing Nets of Knowledge

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08/09/2025

Sharing Nets of Knowledge: Peer-to-Peer Learning in Community-Based Fisheries Management in Lamu. From 4th to 7th August 2025, Bahari Hai’s fisheries management …