Elasmobranch Awareness & Permaculture
A three year, part time partnership with Coral Reef Care, teaching coastal communities and schools why sharks and rays matter, then turning that trust into food and water security.
Why this project exists: As apex predators, sharks accumulate toxins, including heavy metals and pesticides, in their tissue over a lifetime. Eating shark meat carries that risk forward. Awareness sessions explain this alongside the ecological case for leaving elasmobranchs in the water.
Project Overview
From the KAMAMKUKI JCMA to the Kitchen Garden
Since 2024, Oceans Alive Foundation has partnered with Coral Reef Care to raise awareness of elasmobranch conservation within the KAMAMKUKI Joint Co-Management Area, working directly with fishers from four Beach Management Units: Marina, Kidongo, Kanamai and Kuruwitu.
Sessions combine PowerPoint presentations, educational films, handouts and posters to build understanding of elasmobranch ecology, their importance to a healthy reef, the threats they face from overfishing, and the sustainable fishing practices and gear choices that reduce shark and ray bycatch.
Key partners: the Ministry of Education, the Teachers Service Commission, the Directorate of Fisheries for Mombasa and Kilifi County, the four BMUs, participating schools, and the Timboni Community Group.
The Roadmap
Three Phases, One Growing Community
Schools and First Contact
- 2 schools reached, 100 learners
- 108 walk in learners at Bahari Hai Education Centre
- 3 BMU groups mobilized, 66 fishers reached
Expanding to Four BMUs
- Outreach expanded to all 4 BMUs, 120 members reached
- Discussions on gear threats and sustainable fishing
- 2026 continuation targets 80 fishers in Kanamai and Kuruwitu, chosen for high recent elasmobranch activity
Permaculture and Water Security
- Climate smart backyard kitchen gardening for 40 households in Timboni village
- Two concrete water storage tanks planned for rainwater harvesting
- Strengthens household resilience through the dry season
Help Protect Sharks and Rays
Your support carries this work from awareness into food and water security for the families who share the reef with these animals.