Community Based Ecotourism (CBET) has the potential to both improve the conservation status of mangrove ecosystems and stimulate local economies. However, these ecotourism initiatives often fail due to a lack of active local participation, poor management and a lack of an appropriate benefit sharing scheme. This paper explores perceptions, opportunities and challenges of community mangrove-based ecotourism in Gazi Bay, Kenya. Data collected from household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used to examine local perceptions, challenges and opportunities with respect to their participation in ecotourism as a tool for mangrove conservation. The results obtained indicated that 81.4 % of the Gazi village community was aware of the ecotourism activities being undertaken in the area with 62.8 % acknowledging the socio-economic as well as the environmental impacts of the ecotourism activities. Also, 66.0 % of the local community identified cultural traditions and local skills possessed by the community as having the potential to promote sustainable ecotourism activities in the area. For the design and implementation of any ecotourism venture and the management of mangroves to be sustainable, including that undertaken by the Gazi community, this study recommends prioritising effective local participation and capacity building. In addition, private sector involvement is essential for the mobilisation of resources to further enhance the management and conservation of mangroves in the long-term. The results provide key insights needed not only to improve the design and management of community-led marine conservation initiatives but also for ensuring that optimal conservation benefits are achieved.

Many global biodiversity datasets overlook or misrepresent the knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and Afro-Descendants (IPLCAD). We propose minimum data and metadata standards for a global data infrastructure on biodiversity knowledge and use, co-designed with IPLCAD, including information on language, community attribution and consent, to ensure data traceability and ethical use. This initiative integrates ancestral and academic sciences to advance inclusive biodiversity governance, addressing historical inequities for global sustainability.

The artisanal fishery is one of the sources of livelihood along the Kenya coast. Catches of retained fish of artisanal fishers between two fishing areas on the south coast of Kenya were compared. Artisanal fishers usually retain a portion of their daily catch which is reserved for family consumption while the rest is traded for cash to meet other family needs. This study hypothesized that retained fish catches were influenced by fishing area, fishing gear type and season. Daily fish landings and retained fish catches among artisanal fishers were monitored between August 2020 to July 2021 covering the South East Monsoon (SEM) and North East Monsoon (NEM) in Msambweni and Vanga fishing areas. A total of 60 fishers (30 for each area) were randomly selected and their retained catch monitored on a daily basis. The overall total fish landings were 23.3 tons and 210 tons in Msambweni and Vanga, respectively. The mean catch rate at Msambweni was 3.3 ± 0.12 kg.fisher-1day-1 in the NEM season and 2.2 ± 0.09 kg.fisher-1day-1 in the SEM season. Fish catch rates in Vanga was 8.5 ± 0.28 kg.fisher-1day-1 in the NEM season and 7.9 ± 0.29 kg.fisher-1day-1 in the SEM season. A total of 0.98 tons (only 4.2 %) of fish was retained versus 22.32 tons (95.8 %) not retained by the artisanal fishers in Msambweni, while in Vanga a total of 1.64 tons (only 0.78 %) was retained versus 208.36 tons (99.22 %) not retained. Retained fish catch varied significantly with season and type of fishing gear used (p < 0.05). Among the retained species in Msambweni, Siganus sutor made the highest contribution (53 %), followed by Lethrinus mahsena, (5.08 %). The species Euthynnus affinis and Sphyraena obtusata were mostly retained in Vanga with a contribution of 10.4 % and 10.2 %, respectively. The same retained fish species represented the most abundant species in the overall fish landings, however sizes were significantly smaller than those not retained by fishers (p < 0.05). Results of non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (nMDS) ordination showed differences in species composition between fishing areas, seasons and fishing gear types with implication on fishers’ retained catches.

Mangrove forest ecosystems provide essential services to tropical coastal communities, includ- ing as a source of food, fuel and building materials. During the Covid-19 pandemic human movements were restricted at all levels, including locally in coastal communities. The impact of these measures on marine ecosystems such as mangroves were not well understood. A household survey was conducted in a mangrove-dependent community at Mtwapa Creek to evaluate their perceptions on the rate of mangrove degradation, factors contributing to man- grove degradation, and species that were most exploited during the pandemic period. Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was used to determine the association of Covid-19 with eco- nomic activities. Due to the restrictions on human interactions and travel during the pandemic, some natural ecosystems thrived, but in contrast accelerated destruction of mangrove forests occurred along Mtwapa Creek. The MCA indicated significant association between mangrove degradation rate and unemployment, charcoal burning, and reduced farming activities. A Chi- square test confirmed significant degradation of mangrove forests. Loss of income sources dur- ing the pandemic led to an increase in exploitation of Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Avicennia marina. These species were mainly harvested for construction and charcoal burning. Mangrove management measures could not be effectively enforced during the pandemic.

Marine fish is a rich source of minerals in the diet of humans, but seasonal variation in fish mineral concentrations is relatively unstudied. We investigated seasonal mineral concentrations among four marine fish species retained by small scale fishers in Msambweni and Vanga fishing villages in Kenya. The fish species were Siganus sutor (rabbitfish) in Msambweni and Decapterus macarellus (mackerel scad), Sphraena forsteri (bigeye barracuda) and Sphyraena obtusata (obtuse barracuda) in Vanga. Mineral concentrations were quantified in 120 fish specimens (60/season) and their mineral supplementation potential evaluated. The concentrations of Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) and Iodine (I) were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. K, Mg, Zn and I levels in fish samples varied between seasons with higher concentrations during the wet and cool southeast monsoon (SEM) season (April to October). However, Fe concentration was significantly higher during the dry and warm northeast monsoon (NEM) (November to March). S. fosteri recorded the highest concentrations of Mg (72.29 mg/100g in SEM) and Fe (3.63 mg/100g in NEM). S. sutor was the richest source of K (410.21 mg/100g in SEM). These two species also recorded the highest concentration of I (57.6 μg/100g in SEM) while D. macarellus had the highest Zn concentration (5.84 mg/100g in SEM). Mineral concentrations were dependent on fish species as well as season, influencing the mineral intake in Msambweni and Vanga villages.