Sea Turtle Conservation Project

Sea turtles along the Kenyan coast face increasing threats, including fisheries bycatch, illegal poaching of adults and eggs, coastal development and habitat loss, marine pollution from plastics and industrial waste, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. These pressures have made sea turtle conservation a critical priority across coastal ecosystems, requiring coordinated protection efforts and sustained community involvement.

The Mariners for Action (MFA) Sea Turtle Conservation Project focuses on strengthening the protection and recovery of sea turtle populations through a community-led conservation model. We work directly with existing Beach Management Units (BMUs), community-based organizations, youth and women groups, and local conservation networks to establish and strengthen community-based monitoring teams responsible for safeguarding nesting beaches, feeding grounds, and key migratory corridors.

We conduct regular beach patrols—both day and night—during nesting and hatching seasons to monitor turtle activity, identify nests, relocate vulnerable nests where necessary, and record nesting success rates. We also maintain a structured strandings response system, documenting stranded or injured turtles, collecting standardized field data, and escalating critical cases to relevant authorities for intervention and rehabilitation support.

We provide structured training programs for community monitors, focusing on turtle identification, nesting ecology, data collection protocols, safe handling practices, GPS mapping, and reporting procedures. These trainings are designed to strengthen local capacity and ensure consistency in monitoring across different coastal sites. In addition, we equip community teams with essential field tools such as patrol gear, torches for night patrols, data sheets or mobile reporting tools, protective equipment, and basic first-response materials for stranded turtles.

We integrate strong community awareness and behavior change initiatives as a core part of the project. We conduct regular sensitization forums with fisher groups, landing site committees, schools, and coastal households to promote understanding of the ecological importance of sea turtles and the threats they face, including bycatch in fishing gear, plastic ingestion, and habitat degradation. We also promote safer fishing practices and encourage reporting of turtle sightings, nests, and strandings through community reporting channels.

We strengthen collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service and other conservation stakeholders to support enforcement of protected areas, improve response coordination, and enhance compliance with wildlife protection regulations. We also support joint monitoring efforts and data sharing to inform national conservation strategies and reporting frameworks.