Our Mission and Vision
Mission –To advance understanding of marine mammal species in our Kenyan waters, through public participation and consistent research, developing ecotourism and economic potentials, and fostering conservation values for the mutual benefit of coastal communities and for the health of marine mammal populations.
Vision – To reduce the threats to dolphin, whale and dugong along the Kenya coast and create a harmonious marine and coastal environment for people and marine life placing a value on the lives of marine mammals
KMMREC alongside KMMN
Together, KMMREC alongside KMMN have been the backbone of Kenyan marine mammal research and conservation baseline data focused exclusively on whales, dolphins and dugong. With a decade of research behind us, we have determined that now is the time to expand and develop research and conservation programs along the coast in order to continue looking with more depth into the threats and dangers, to these popular and charismatic, yet little known species in Kenya.
Threats
Our research has uncovered, so far, that Kenya is host to 24 species of whale and dolphin residents and migrants. After analysing our data, we now consider it imperative to collect in depth concrete data on human threats and their affects on the safety of marine life. From overfishing, bycatch, noise pollution and marine litter, unregulated tourism activities including dolphin and whale watching, and oil and gas exploration, anthropogenic threats are on the increase. An acceleration in maritime traffic and shipping port development on the north and south coast means there is now an urgent necessity for marine mammal monitoring and to mitigate potential issues such and ship/boat strikes and oil spillage which we have witnessed around the world. It has never been more important to have effective, authentic and accurate information regarding migration corridors, nursing and foraging grounds along the Kenya coast been needed to protect and secure the Kenyan coast and marine life as an integral part of the healthy Kenyan ocean ecosystem.
KMMREC collaborates and works alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service, the State Department of Fisheries and the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Research Institute.
The KMMREC program has also received support from Rufford Foundation International Whaling Commission, Sarasota Dolphin Research Project, Oceanic Society, IndoCet and Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA).
Special recognition goes to our key supporters, African Fund for Endangered Wildlife – Giraffe Centre for 10 years