Sharks and rays have formed part of Kenya’s fish landings for a long period, with records dating back to the 1980s. However, recent studies have shown that they have been declining over the years. The artisanal and trawl fisheries in Kenya capture a large proportion of juvenile sharks and rays. For example, it is reported that 97% of sharks and 46% of rays and guitarfish are landed as juveniles in the artisanal fishery. The same study also reports that the most captured species are the Critically Endangered scalloped hammerhead and Giant Guitarfish, and the Vulnerable silky shark and Whitespotted Eagle Ray. Furthermore, of a total of 45 species of sharks and rays that have a geographic range including Kenyan waters and have been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 19 are classified as threatened globally in the Red List (IUCN, 2018) amounting to about 40% while 9 species representing about 20% are categorised as near threatened. The remainder are either data deficient or of least concern. These findings are of much concern and require focused interventions.

In 2014, Kenya initiated a National Plan of Action for Sharks and Rays (NPOA-Sharks), in accordance with the FAO’s International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks). This plan, finalized in 2023, serves as a broad policy framework offering strategic direction for shark conservation in Kenya. However, as a draft policy, it does not provide the operational clarity needed for effective implementation on the ground. Critical details—such as who is responsible for specific actions, how interventions will be monitored, and how results will be measured—remain undefined.

Recognizing this gap, CORDIO East Africa initiated a collaborative effort to develop a Shark Conservation Strategy for Kenya. The aim was to build upon the NPOA-Sharks and translate its high-level objectives into a practical, actionable plan. This process was rooted in scientific evidence, stakeholder consensus, and an understanding of the socioeconomic realities of coastal communities that depend on marine resources.

To guide this complex task, CORDIO sought the expertise of the Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG), a part of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission known for facilitating inclusive, science-driven conservation planning. In partnership with the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), County Governments, universities, NGOs, and Beach Management Units (BMUs), CORDIO convened a high-level multi-stakeholder workshop in Mombasa to initiate the drafting of the strategy. Workshop participants included government officials, researchers, conservationists, fishers, tourism operators, and community leaders—each bringing unique perspectives on the drivers of shark population decline and the scope of any conservation efforts. Priority conservation actions proposed included establishing protected areas, improving fisheries management, promoting alternative livelihoods, and raising public awareness about shark conservation. The process was inclusive and transparent, designed to foster ownership of the strategy among those responsible for its future implementation.