Sea Turtle Conservation
Bycatch Reduction & Fisher Partnerships
Working side by side with fishers so that turtles and livelihoods can both thrive on the North Coast.
Introduction
Respecting fishers as partners
Accidental capture in fishing gear is one of the biggest threats facing sea turtles along Kenya’s Coast. Lasting solutions only work when local fishers are respected as partners, listened to with care, and supported with practical options that fit daily life on the water.
Pwani Bora works alongside Beach Management Units, crew members, and coastal communities to reduce harm, strengthen trust, and protect both turtle survival and household livelihoods. The work is grounded in shared responsibility, local knowledge, and a hopeful path forward for the coast.
How we work together
Partnership grows through listening, practical action, and shared problem-solving rooted in the realities of fishing life on the North Coast.
01
Building trust
We create space for open dialogue with fishers and Beach Management Units so concerns, experience, and local insight shape the work from the start.
02
Safe handling and release
Practical training helps crews respond calmly when turtles are accidentally caught, improving the chances of safe release back into the sea.
“When fishers are treated as partners, solutions become stronger, more practical, and more lasting for both people and turtles.”
03
Better fishing practices
Together we raise awareness of high-risk areas and seasons, and support choices that reduce accidental capture while respecting livelihoods.
04
Joint problem-solving
Rather than top-down rules, we work through challenges together, building solutions that communities can carry forward with confidence.
Why it matters
Shared benefits, shared future
For turtle survival
Faster response, safer release, and stronger awareness can reduce avoidable losses and give more turtles a chance to survive.
For fishing households
When solutions are practical and respectful, fishers can protect livelihoods while taking pride in caring for the coast they depend on.
For the North Coast
Partnerships between communities, BMUs, and conservation actors build long-term stewardship for healthier seas and stronger coastal futures.
Working coast to coast
Pwani Bora works alongside Kenya Wildlife Service, local Beach Management Units, and community members to strengthen practical bycatch solutions across Kenya’s North Coast.
If you want to support fisher partnerships, explore collaboration, or learn more about this work, we would love to hear from you.
