馃嚢馃嚜KenyaEast Africa
Experts advocate for local community involvement in marine resource protection
via Tuko5 min read
Conservation leaders emphasize that the effective safeguarding of marine ecosystems relies on the active participation of coastal communities and civil society. This call follows the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, which secured over 320 commitments and approximately $6.4 billion for marine action. Nancy Ogonje, executive director of the East African Wild Life Society, highlighted the disconnect between international policy discussions and the realities of vulnerable coastal populations. She stressed that for the Mombasa Declaration, aimed at curbing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, to be successful, implementation must prioritize localized institutional support. Ogonje stated that lasting environmental stewardship occurs when communities whose livelihoods depend on the ocean are empowered to protect it. She also noted that local communities possess invaluable traditional knowledge and need legal knowledge to navigate environmental regulatory frameworks. The experts argue that only with active, well-funded, and legally recognized local partners can marine preservation efforts truly succeed.
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