Lead Institution – Kenya
In the SBFS project, KMFRI serves as the lead institution in Kenya. It is responsible for coordinating fieldwork, overseeing national implementation, and ensuring the project responds to local needs and policies. KMFRI is leading fish stock assessment surveys, aquaculture development at the National Mariculture Research and Training (NAMARET) Centre, and blue food safety and nutrition work. For the Blue Carbon Hub Kenya, KMFRI acts as the anchor institution, providing facilities, technical expertise, and national legitimacy for building a virtual centre of excellence that links research with training, policy, and community engagement.
KMFRI’s relevance to SBFS lies in its dual role: a scientific authority and a community-facing body. It has the mandate to guide Kenya’s fisheries and marine policy while also being trusted by fishers, seaweed farmers, and women’s groups along the coast. This combination ensures the SBFS project is not only technically sound but also rooted in local realities. By hosting and driving the Blue Carbon Hub Kenya, KMFRI positions itself as a regional leader in blue carbon knowledge, advancing both conservation and livelihood opportunities for coastal communitie
About Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) is a state corporation under Kenya’s Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs. Established in 1979, it has grown into the leading centre for aquatic research in the country, covering inland lakes, rivers, and the coastal and marine environment. Its scientists conduct research on fisheries, aquaculture, environment, oceanography, and blue economy governance, with the results informing government policy and resource management. KMFRI has long-standing experience working directly with coastal communities, particularly in the Shimoni–Vanga area, where it has supported co-management of fisheries and restoration of mangroves and seagrass meadows.
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