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Managers of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are faced with many demands and often do not have the opportunity to reflect on the results of their actions. Management evaluations allow managers to learn from successes and improve management through time. This first assessment of the management effectiveness of the Kisite-Mpunguti MPA used existing information to evaluate the actions and outcomes measured against the MPA's goals as outlined in the MPA management plan. Selected biophysical, socio-economic and governance indicators were used for this purpose. The Kisite-Mpunguti MPA showed progress towards meeting the tested objectives. The coral reef habitats in the MPA had higher biomass of fish, higher coral cover and fewer urchins and showed signs of recovery from the late 1980s. Community initiatives geared primarily to improve the livelihoods of MPA-dependent communities showed good progress with increased incomes and food security. Resources for managing the MPA including staff and infrastructure increased overtime at pace with the development needs of the MPA but not with the operational and recurrent needs of the MPA. The number of partnerships and relationships with MPA stakeholders also increased with time. Areas that showed less progress included the lack of a formal mechanism for stakeholder participation, decreasing fisheries catches in the marine reserve, lack of MPA specific regulations and financial stability of the MPA. Weaknesses in the management plan and conflicts due to overlapping mandates with other natural resource institutions further reduced the effectiveness of management actions while, external factors such as global warming and terrorism had a negative impact on biodiversity and the financial sustainability of the MPAs respectively. Revision of the MPA plan to more closely target objectives, creation of formalized communication mechanisms, improving financial sustainability and retention of technical expertise and systematizing data gathering to inform management were recommended. Published

The coastal population of Sub-Sahara Africa is increasing rapidly but coastal zones are fragile environments that are easily disturbed and easily damaged when overexploited. There is need for carefully thought out management of resources to realize both environmental sustainability and potential socio-economic benefits. This is the fourth volume in a series of conference proceedings on the ecology of the Kenyan Coast, since 1997. These meetings serve as a forum for the exchange of information among scientists, students policy makers, development agency staff and government officers. This volume contains seventeen papers that were presented at the Coastal Ecology Conference in Mombasa in 2006 with sections on fish and fisheries, mangroves, conservation and management, and ecosystems rehabilitation.

The Kenyan coastline is approximately 500 km long, with a well developed fringing reef system except where major rivers (Tana and Athi Sabaki) discharge into the Indian Ocean (Hamilton and Brakel, 1984). Additionally patch reefs occur in Malindi and Kiunga in the north and Shimoni in the south on the Kenya Tanzania border (Fig. 1). Coral reefs are the predominant marine ecosystem in terms of ecology and economy but seagrass beds and mangrove forests also contribute to the economy of the coastal communities ( Muthiga ITMEMS). The coastal topography, climate and habitats of the Kenyan coast have been described in McClanahan 1988, McClanahan and Young 1986, Obura et al 2000). In order to conserve and manage these important ecosystems, the government of Kenya has established a system of marine parks and reserves managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Kenya has four marine parks including (from north to south) Malindi, Watamu, Mombasa and Kisite and 6 marine reserves including Kiunga, Malindi-Watamu, Mombasa, Diani-Chale and Mpunguti marine reserves (Fig. 1). All these marine protected areas encompass important marine habitats including coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests, but are ecologically and economically dominated by coral reefs.

This collective volume presenting recent environmental research on the Kenya coast contains 27 contributions differing widely in scope. Subjects range from coral reef restoration to butterfly breeding, from river sediments to Kaya forests, and from marine fisheries to elephant management. Following the introduction by Jan Hoorweg and Nyawira Muthiga, the papers are presented in six sections, viz. Coral reefs, intertidal and littoral communities (contributions by Priscillah N. Boera, T.R. McClanahan, S. Manohar, R.M. Mdodo, C.M. Muthama, N. Muthiga, G.A. Mwayuli, D. Obura, J.B. Okeyo-Owuor, M.P. Tole, J.N. Uku, B.C.C. Wangila); Sediments, erosion and pollution (contributions by J.O.Z. Abuodha, P.D. Jungerius, Samuel Maende, T.M. Munyao, Muendo Muthini, Marifa Ali Mwakumanya, Dismas Otieno, M.wakiop. Tole); Marine fisheries (contributions by Bernerd Fulanda, Jan Hoorweg, Edward N. Kimani, Anthony King, T.R. McClanahan, Delphine Malleret-King, S. Mangi, Joseph G. Tunje); Mangroves and terrestrial forests (contributions by Ian Gordon, Francis Karanja Kamau, Koen Maes, A.M. Makee, M.T.E. Mbuvi, K.A. Mwendwa, Mwakiop. Tole); Biodiversity (contributions by T.M. Dzeha, A.N. Githitho, S.M. Halevy, Randal Jeske, Moses Litoroh, W.R.Q. Luke, Z.N. Otieno-Ayayo, W.A. Overholt); Community participation (contributions by Washington O. Ayiemba, H. Becha, I. Gordon, Ted Kombo, M.T.E. Mbuvi, J.M. Maweu, K.A. Mwendwa, Joseph Rasowo). [ASC Leiden abstract]

The Kenyan coastline is approximately 500 km long, and stretches from 1° 42’ S to 4° 40’ S bordering Somalia in the North and Tanzania in the south (Fig. 1). It has a well-developed fringing reef system. The major oceanographic currents largely drive patterns of coastal currents. South of Malindi, the East African coastal current flows northeast throughout the year coming up from Tanzania and originally driven by the south equatorial current.... Published

This report gives an updated description of the coral reef and associated ecosystem programs of the Eastern African mainland states, which include the nations of Somalia, Kenya, mainland Tanzania, Zanzibar and Mozambique as well as the Western Indian Ocean island states of Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles. Published

The Mombasa marine park and reserve includes an area restricted from fishing and an adjacent area where traditional fishing is allowed. The management of the Mombasa marine park and reserve however is experiencing the problems that arise from planning and creation of a marine park and reserve without taking into consideration the needs of all the stakeholders. One of the main communities that has been adversely affected by the creation of the MMP is the fishing community. The size of the area available for fishing has drastically reduced resulting increased conflict between park management and the fishing community. Published

This report presents the findings of Wildlife Conservation International's Coral Reef Conservation Project monitoring program of Kenyan coral reefs and suggest research and management plans for the coral reefs based on the findings. Published

This is a short paper on the edible crabs of Kenya especially Scylla serrata , their present state of exploitation, distribution, abundance and biology. Preliminary investigations have shown that the crab resources are under-exploited. Research is therefore needed into the available stocks, methods of harvesting, processing, marketing and their biologies. Published

A comparative survey of shallow water (< 2m) holothurian fauna was undertaken to determine patterns of distribution, abundance and diversity, and the possible role of management, habitat (reef flat and lagoon), topographic complexity and substrate cover, in six sites within protected and unprotected reefs near Mombasa. Visual surveys were done by use of belt transects (100m by 4m) and search sampling (1-h time counts), and 10m-line intercept transects for substrate cover and rugosity. A total of ten different species belonging to 2 orders (Aspidochirotida and Apodida) and 3 families (Holothuriidae, Stichopodidae and Synaptidae) were recorded, four most abundant being Holothuria leucospilota, H. atra, Synapta maculata and Stichopus chloronotus in descending order. Three least abundant species were H. hilla, H. impatiens and Stichopus herrmanni. The total holothurians fauna was typified by low densities and high diversity, although no significant differences occurred in diversity (Simpson's Index) between management and habitats. Protected reefs had higher densities on the reef flats and in lagoons than the unprotected reefs. Between-subjects effects analysis indicated that management was more powerful than habitat in controlling holothurian population densities. Rugosity was higher in the MPA than unprotected sites, and there was a positive significant correlation between rugosity and sea cucumber densities and abundance. The nine broad substrate categories indicated high variability between lagoons under different management regimes. Coral cover was higher in protected than unprotected areas, whereas algal turf, sand and seagrass were dominant in the unprotected sites. Hard coral had a positive significant correlation with sea cucumber density, whereas algal turf and sand, showed negative and positive significant correlations respectively. Sand also correlated negatively, but significantly with sea cucumber species diversity. Apart from S. maculata, all the other nine species recorded in the study area have commercial value, varying from medium to low. The overall average density of sea cucumbers of commercial value in the study area was 5.20/400 m2. The most abundant commercial species in the study area was the low value H. leucospilota. Commercial sea cucumber densities in protected and unprotected sites were 11.00/400m2 and 2.30/400m2, respectively. Resource assessment of holothurian populations can be useful for designing, developing and evaluating sea cucumber fishery management plans and strengthening conservation of the resource. Published

Assessment of rehabilitation success of post-mining landscapes is a recent field of ecology necessitated by the growing global awareness of negative impacts of mining and need for legislative compliance. The Bamburi Cement Company has made rehabilitation a natural part of the business process and for the last 35 years has been rehabilitating exhausted quarries in Mombasa, Kenya. It is generally acknowledged that the project has been successful and Bamburi's man-made forested ecosystems are celebrated as showcases of rehabilitation. The goals of quarry rehabilitation by Bamburi are to re-create self-sustaining tropical forests typical of the Kenya coast but how can we measure how well we are doing? We conducted surveys comparing vegetation characteristics after 35 years in three different planting treatments with a natural coastal forest which we proposed could be the end point or reference. After 35 years of rehabilitation, the forests were tall in stature with high rates of nutrient turnover but were structurally simple compared to the native coastal forest. Biodiversity was lower than in the natural forest though enrichment planting can correct this. Where introductions have been ongoing, species richness was 61% of the native forest. Low rates of natural introductions and establishment indicated that continued active enrichment planting will be required for some time, as well as the active removal of aggressive invasive species such as the neem (Azadirachta indica). Soil formation processes were active and the most important arthropod responsible for nutrient turnover was the red legged millipede (Epibolus pulchripes) which was estimated to consume between 22 and 44% of the annual leaf fall. Published

The fishing practices of fishers at ten landing sites in Malindi and Kilifi Districts that were surveyed in 1999 as part of a larger research project are discussed in this article. The focus of the research was on income diversification among fishers, pressure on marine resources and the relationship between the two. It was hypothesized that fishers with additional resources strengthen livelihood strategies and improve household security, and those who succeed in diversifying their incomes can be expected to have a more positive attitude towards conservation measures and will exact less pressure on marine resources. Two types of income diversification were distinguished: 1) 'activity' diversification at the individual level where fishers had other income besides fishing, and 2) 'earner' diversification at the household level where fishers belonged to a household with more than one income earner. Key indicators were selected that represented four features of artisanal fishing, namely: (1) the number of fishers; (2) the fishing grounds; (3) the type of equipment; and 4) the frequency of fishing. There was no significant relationship between 'earner' diversification and fishing practices while 'activity' diversification correlated significantly with two selected indicators. Fishers with 'multiple' activities used more destructive gear and fished inshore grounds more often, while there was no sign that they were more willing to stop fishing in favour of alternative employment. It was concluded that an activity diversification of fishers did not reduce the pressure on the marine environment. Instead the opposite occurred, fishers who had other employment onshore fished less prudently. Published

Horizontal distribution of mangrove species is a common phenomenon in mangrove ecosystems. In Kenya, where 9 species of mangroves occur, the seaward zone is normally occupied by Sonneratia alba and occasionally by Rhizophora mucronata. The present study was conducted in a low lying site previously dominated by S. alba. Our study aimed at testing the suitability of replanting R. mucronata propagules in low elevation site to control soil erosion and stabilize sediments. The experiment was set up in March 2005 with three treatments and a control group. R. mucronata propagules were planted directly into the sediment or inside bamboo encasements of various diameters. Field measurements included percentage mortality, shoot height increment (cm), diameter at second internode (mm), and leaf number. The results showed that the directly planted saplings had a significantly high % survival (p=0.01) as well as better growth performance (p

Kenya ranks among the top exporting countries in the marine aquarium trade within the Western Indian Ocean region. However the fishery has received limited attention by way of research and monitoring despite being established during the mid 1970’s. This paper provides a detailed overview of the dynamics of the fishery based on results of a one-year survey conducted during 2005 to determine the species harvested in the fishery and the harvest and export trends. Available government statistics, logbook returns of fish collectors at the Shimoni area and airfreight data were examined to assess the catch and export dynamics of the fishery. An estimated total of 193 fish species were harvested from the Kenya coast for export. Of the total number of individuals landed in Shimoni during the study period (including fish and invertebrates), fish made up approximately 97% of the catch with about 71% of the fish landed by divers. Approximately 70% of the fish belonged to 4 families namely Pomacentridae (damselfish), Labridae (wrasses), Acanthuridae (surgeonfish) and Gobiidae (gobies). Ten species made up 58% of the harvested catch topped by two species, Amphiprion allardi (10%) and Centropyge acanthops (9%). The mean daily CPUE of fish collectors in the Shimoni area was estimated to be 25 individuals per fisherman per day, with divers landing significantly more fish than snorkellers. Among the key recommendations are the need to strengthen monitoring, to improve current regulatory mechanisms, and to promote strong stakeholder involvement in the management of the fishery. This study provides essential baseline information for further assessments of the status and sustainability of the fishery. Published

This paper examines attitudes towards marine conservation among fishers from two villages in Kilifi District, Kenya. It focuses on how the views of fishers have contributed to their willingness to engage in marine conservation and considers how these attitudes developed. Uyombo is situated near the Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve and the fishers from this village have encountered formal methods of conservation in their daily fishing activities. There is no marine park in the vicinity of Takaungu but fishers in Takaungu have used informal methods of conservation in the past, unlike those employed in Uyombo. These traditional ways have, however, lost most of their effectiveness. Data were collected in 2000, 2001 and 2003 and the study shows how experiences have shaped fishers' attitudes towards conservation and their perceptions of how conservation efforts should, or should not, be carried out. The fishers from Uyombo, as a result of their experiences with the Marine National Park, have developed such a negative attitude towards marine conservation that it may be difficult to involve them in any meaningful activities in the future. The fishers in Takaungu, on the other hand, are willing to participate in marine conservation activities provided these do not endanger their livelihoods and are on an equal partnership basis. African Studies Collection Vol. 20 Published