PRESS RELEASE
Conserving Key Threatened Sharks and Rays in Kenya
Bold Step to Reverse the Decline of Sharks and Rays in Kenya
Mombasa, Kenya – 5 February 2026
On behalf of government partners and key stakeholders, CORDIO East Africa is pleased to announce the release of a comprehensive plan to halt and reverse the decline of vulnerable shark and ray species. The document, A Conservation Strategy for Key Threatened Sharks and Rays in Kenya, charts a clear course for reversing the steep population declines of threatened sharks and rays from overfishing, incidental catch, inadequate enforcement and habitat loss. The strategy was developed over the course of three years, culminating in a multi-stakeholder workshop with fishers and key government, research, public and private-sector actors to develop an actionable workplan.
“This Strategy is unique because it was developed through a highly collaborative workshop focused entirely on building consensus,” CORDIO Director Dr. Melita Samoilys said. “It surpassed our highest expectations, with over 40 people representing 13 different sectors – in just three days – agreeing on 19 goals and a detailed workplan of actions.’’
Above, the Blacktip Reef Shark. Listed by IUCN as Vulnerable, the species is considered functionally extinct in Kenya because of severe decline in its population.
The State of Sharks and Rays in Kenya
Sharks and rays are among the most threatened wildlife species in Kenya. These comprise species of scalloped hammerhead, wedgefish and guitarfish, which are listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, with others such as the Endangered Grey Reef shark and Ocellated eagle ray showing severe declines. Regrettably, Kenya is now one of 10 countries in the world with the most depleted populations of coastal sharks. Decades of exploitation, minimal attention to these animals, habitat degradation and limited scientific data have left many species at risk, despite the vital role sharks and rays play in maintaining the health and balance of marine ecosystems.
In 2023 the Government of Kenya released a National Plan of Action (NPOA) for Sharks and Rays as a response to the growing crisis. The Conservation strategy released today contributes to several aspects of Kenya’s NPOA in an actionable, community-informed workplan for implementation.
Left to right: The Scalloped Hammerhead, Giant Guitarfish and Whitespotted Eagle Ray. Listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, they are among the most captured shark and ray species in Kenya.
The Scope of the Strategy
The strategy focuses efforts in Kenya on the most urgent and achievable actions needed to reverse the decline of sharks and rays. At its centre is a set of 19 priority goals identified by workshop participants as having the greatest potential to deliver meaningful, near-term impact. These include:
- Ensuring communities, especially fishers, and other stakeholders are fully involved in conservation decision-making.
- Improving cooperation among government agencies, to ensure stronger compliance with protected areas and fishing gear regulations.
- Expanding alternative livelihood options for coastal communities to reduce dependence on shark and ray fishing.
- Expanding marine protected areas and locally managed areas to protect shark and ray nurseries and pupping and feeding grounds.
The strategy further emphasises aligning marine spatial planning with critical shark and ray habitats; increasing scientific studies on species abundance and distribution; and promoting participatory research and knowledge sharing between fishers, scientists and managers. Strengthening laws and regulations governing sharks and rays forms the final pillar of this priority set.
In all, the conservation framework has organised the national response into nineteen goals and seventy-nine actions, encompassing fisheries management, habitat protection, good governance and enforcement, and research and monitoring. The strategy provides Kenya with an actionable, evidence-based roadmap to safeguard sharks and rays and support the resilience of coastal ecosystems.
Embedded right: A copy of the Strategy.
Building Consensus
The development of the strategy was steered by an organising team comprised of CORDIO East Africa, a BMU executive member, Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI), The Nature Conservancy and a commercial fisheries representative. Coastal communities and fishing groups were central to the process, with experienced shark fishers, traders and Beach Management Unit leaders providing grounded insights based on daily interactions with the ocean. Their contributions reflected the outcomes of earlier fisher dialogues along the coast, ensuring that the strategy incorporated local knowledge and community priorities.
“Fishermen need to be sensitized to protecting breeding grounds – fishing in other areas,” said Said Mote, Chairman of the Ngomeni Beach Management Unit. “We can also implement seasonal closures to help sustain our fisheries.’’
Consensus was achieved through a collaborative national workshop held in Mombasa from 1–3 April 2025. More than forty participants attended the meeting, including senior officials from the KeFS, WRTI, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) and coastal county governments, ensuring strong representation from the agencies responsible for fisheries management, protected areas and maritime enforcement. Fishers and international and local conservation NGOs were also widely represented. The workshop was led and professionally facilitated by the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group, guiding participants through threat analysis, governance challenges, and solution mapping.
The Road Ahead
To move the conservation framework from plan to implementation, a core team has been proposed. This team will coordinate delivery, track progress and ensure that actions remain grounded in both scientific evidence and community realities. Regular monitoring, data sharing and community involvement will ensure that decisions evolve with new evidence and local insights. With the strategy in place, Kenya now possesses a clear, actionable roadmap, and the partnerships needed, to restore depleted shark and ray populations, rebuild ecosystem resilience and secure the coastal livelihoods that depend on a healthy ocean.
“The global significance of the challenges associated with shark conservation is well acknowledged, with Kenya being a signatory to multiple international and regional agreements focused on the conservation and management of sharks, rays, and their habitats,’’ said Dr. Mohammed Omar, Principal Research Scientist, WRTI. “This strategy highlights the unwavering commitment to sustained efforts to maintain a thriving shark population.”
Acknowledgements
This publication has been produced with financial support from Milkywire and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad). It further recognises the contributions of all organisations and community representatives who helped shape this national roadmap for recovery.
Publication and Contacts
Full paper: Authors/Editors. (2025). “Conservation Strategy for Key Threatened Sharks and Rays in Kenya.” https://www.cpsg.org/documents/conservation-strategy-key-threatened-sharks-and-rays-kenya
STRATEGY LEAD CONTACTS:
Dr. Melita Samoilys
Director, CORDIO East Africa
Email: melita.samoilys@gmail.com | Web: www.cordioea.net
Evelyne Ndiritu
Fisheries Scientist, CORDIO East Africa
Email: endiritu@cordioea.net
MEDIA CONTACT:
Timothy Allela
Communications Manager, CORDIO East Africa
Email: tallela@cordioea.net.