Research Projects Directory
Western Indian Ocean Climate Change Adaptation (WIOCA)
Assessing climate vulnerability of Kenya's coastal fisheries and developing community-based adaptation strategies. Covers reef fisheries, demersal stocks, and artisanal fleet adaptation. Includes socioeconomic vulnerability mapping for coastal fishing communities and development of adaptive management frameworks co-designed with county government stakeholders.
Kenya Coral Triangle Initiative — Phase III
Reef restoration, coral nursery expansion, and community-based conservation across Kwale and Kilifi counties. Includes gear exchange program to reduce ecological pressure on inshore reefs.
Oceanographic Buoy Network — Kenya Coast Real-Time Monitoring
Deployment and operation of six oceanographic monitoring buoys between Shimoni and Lamu providing real-time sea surface temperature, salinity, and current data to KMFRI and international networks.
Blue Carbon Stocks Assessment in Kenya's Mangrove Ecosystems
Quantifying carbon sequestration capacity of Kenya's 61,000 hectares of mangrove forests. Supporting development of blue carbon credit frameworks for climate finance.
North Kenya Banks Deep-Sea Resource Assessment
Systematic demersal and pelagic stock surveys of the North Kenya Banks and Lamu Arch using RV Mtafiti. Generated the first comprehensive bathymetric and fisheries productivity map of this high-value area.
Kenya Sea Turtle Population Monitoring and Conservation
Long-term nesting beach monitoring at Watamu, Malindi, and Lamu Island. Mark-recapture studies, genetic analysis, and community-based nest protection program.
Lake Victoria Fisheries Enhancement and Livelihoods Improvement Project (LVEMP III)
Strengthening fisheries governance and ecological health of Lake Victoria through improved monitoring, co-management structures, and community-based conservation. KMFRI leads Kenya's stock assessment, data management, and ecological monitoring components. Parallel programs run by Uganda NFIRI and Tanzania TAFIRI under East African Community coordination.
Climate Change Impacts on Lake Victoria Fisheries Productivity
Quantifying how rising water temperatures, stratification changes, and increased algal bloom frequency affect fish distribution, recruitment, and productivity across Kenya's Lake Victoria fishing zone.
Lake Turkana Fisheries Ecology and Community Livelihoods
Annual hydroacoustic surveys and biological sampling at 18 landing sites on Lake Turkana. Includes assessment of impact of Gibe III dam on downstream hydrology and fisheries recruitment.
Lake Naivasha Ecological Assessment and Fisheries Management
Multi-parameter ecological assessment of Lake Naivasha addressing horticulture runoff, water hyacinth dynamics, black bass population control, and sustainable fisheries management.
Kenya National Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Program (KNAGBP)
Developing genetically improved Nile tilapia strains adapted to Kenya's diverse aquaculture environments through eight generations of family-based selection. Includes feed-efficiency, disease-resistance, and growth-rate traits. The programme has distributed improved fingerlings to over 800 farms across six western Kenya counties, earning the Kenya National Innovation Award 2024.
Locally-Sourced Aquafeed Development for Smallholder Fish Farmers
Developing cost-effective, locally-sourced fish feed formulations using black soldier fly larvae, soybean, and other Kenya-available protein sources to reduce dependence on imported fishmeal.
SAWA Platform Enhancement — Aquaculture Spatial Planning Tool v3.0
Upgrading KMFRI's Spatial Aquaculture Assessment and Planning tool with county-level suitability layers, mobile interface for field use, and integration with Kenya's national land information system.
Socioeconomic Assessment of Kenya's Blue Economy Sectors (SABES)
Comprehensive economic valuation of Kenya's marine and freshwater fisheries, aquaculture sector, and coastal economy. Quantifying employment, income, food security contribution, and investment potential. Outputs will feed directly into Kenya's National Blue Economy Master Plan and contribute to national accounts via KNBS.
Gender, Food Security and Fish Trade Along Lake Victoria Landing Sites
Documenting women's economic roles in fish processing, trade, and credit systems along Kenya's Lake Victoria shore, identifying barriers to equity and pathways for women's economic empowerment.
Post-Harvest Fish Losses Assessment — Kenya Coast and Lake Victoria
National quantification of post-harvest losses in Kenya's fish value chains — from landing to consumer. Identifying technological, infrastructural, and policy interventions to reduce losses and improve food safety.
See an opportunity to collaborate?
KMFRI welcomes research partnerships, co-funding proposals, and expert collaboration on all active and planned programs. Contact the relevant directorate or our partnerships team directly.