Triple Benefit Project – Land to Sea (TBP-L2S): Sensitization and Site Visit Report
The Watamu Marine Protected Area (MPA), a region renowned for its biodiversity yet currently facing significant threats, including turtle poaching, illegal fishing, mangrove destruction, increased human and coastal development, a rise in beach boys, and other marine wildlife crimes.
Watamu Marine Protected Area is special as it combines extraordinary biodiversity, established in 1968 as one of Kenya’s first marine parks, is globally recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
As the year 2025 end, Bahari Hai saw the crucial need to conduct a sensitization meeting with the key stakeholders in the enforcement sector, supporting the conservation of key biodiversity. This led to the planning of the site visit.
Objectives of the Activity
Sensitize law enforcement officers, magistrates, prosecutors, and other key stakeholders on the severity and impact of marine wildlife crimes on the ecosystem.
Enhance understanding of marine environmental laws, their compliance, and enforcement mechanisms.
Strengthen collaboration between conservation and legal sectors.
Equip participants with practical knowledge to support effective prosecution and deterrence of marine-related offences.
Participants
The activity brought together a diverse group of participants, including:
Law enforcement officers and representatives from government institutions such as Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), and Kilifi County Government fisheries department
Judiciary members, including magistrates, prosecutors, and probation officers
Conservation experts from Bahari Hai and Friends of Arabuko Sokoke Forest
Site Visit and Sensitization Sessions
Participants attended presentations detailing marine wildlife crime trends, the ecological impacts of these crimes, and the intricacies of marine environmental laws and enforcement mechanisms. Information presented included a joint enforcement report from the KWS prosecution office that outlined recent arrests and prosecution outcomes related to marine wildlife offences.
Snorkeling Session
Location: | Coral Garden, Watamu Marine Park |
Purpose: | To provide participants with direct experience of marine biodiversity and raise awareness of threats to coral ecosystems. |
A guided tour was conducted to showcase critical marine habitats, such as mangrove forests and coral reefs. The tour included a snorkeling session at the coral garden, allowing participants to witness the biodiversity firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of the threats facing these ecosystems and their tolerance levels.
Open Discussion Session
An open discussion session was held to examine the complexities surrounding marine wildlife cases and enforcement challenges. Participants identified several critical gaps in existing legal frameworks and prosecution processes, highlighting the difficulties faced by enforcement agencies. A key concern was the frequent loss of marine wildlife cases in court, often attributed to the lack of comprehensive training and resources for law enforcement officers. This gap affects the management of cases from arrest through crime scene management and court proceedings, undermining successful prosecution.
Outcomes, Recommendations, and Conclusions
Outcomes
- Participants demonstrated increased awareness of marine biodiversity, threats to coral ecosystems, and the legal complexities involved in prosecuting marine wildlife crimes. This was evident among both legal and enforcement stakeholders.
- Stronger networks were established between conservation organizations and the legal sector, fostering collaboration and the exchange of expertise.
- Stakeholders expressed a unified commitment to enhance enforcement efforts and improve the prosecution of marine crimes.
Recommendations
- Address skill gaps in filing cases, gathering evidence, and documenting arrests to enable successful prosecution of marine wildlife crimes.
- Provide ongoing capacity building for legal and enforcement officers to improve effectiveness in investigating and prosecuting marine crimes.
- Develop robust marine crime case tracking systems to support better monitoring, follow-up, and management of cases throughout the prosecution process.
- Focus advocacy efforts on strengthening marine protection laws to ensure the legal framework is equipped to address emerging challenges and better protect marine ecosystems.
- Implement community sensitization and engagement programs to foster collective responsibility and ongoing support for marine conservation initiatives.
Conclusion
The sensitization activities and site visit conducted under the TBP-L2S initiative highlighted the urgent need for collaborative action to combat marine wildlife crimes. By integrating experiential learning through snorkeling and encouraging open dialogue, participants gained a richer understanding of the challenges involved in marine conservation. This approach reinforced stakeholder commitment and engagement, paving the way for more unified and effective efforts to protect marine ecosystems.
A huge thanks to @WWF-Kenya through the Triple Benefit Project
Article by Rosalia Neema Kahindi