My Progress in Marine Conservation

Oceanic habitats play significant ecological roles and are at the forefront of conservation efforts linked to global and regional ocean action. My path in ocean conservation orbits around coastal habitats such as seagrasses which are critical in supporting marine life and community livelihoods along the Kenyan coast. 

Since graduating from the Women in Conservation Technology (WiCT) Program in November 2022, I have been able to engage in seagrass conservation with dynamic approaches that integrate the skills I gained from the training. In February 2023, I joined a Master’s (by thesis) in Zoology program at Stellenbosch University, South Africa; and I have since been researching seagrass habitats connected to small-scale fisheries along the Kenyan coast in affiliation to the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute. In my research, I have been incorporating QGIS software for coastal habitat mapping; collecting data using open-source data collection and management tools; and have been exploring remote underwater videos as an avenue for seagrass habitat monitoring. 

My research journey has also been significantly enriched by the professional skills I honed during the WiCT program. Over the past eight months, I have engaged in ocean literacy initiatives to amplify awareness of the marine realm. One noteworthy achievement during this period has been the publication of my first research paper on ocean science communication. The writing and communication skills I acquired through the WiCT program have not only refined my abilities but have also built my confidence as both a researcher and a conservation technologist.