By Dan Ashtiva, Kenya
My favorite memory of the ocean is rooted in the enchanting stories my mom and elder relatives used to tell me. They spoke of a vast body of water that would embark on a journey each day, only to return in the evening. As a child, this imagery captivated me—a mysterious sea that would go for a walk and then come back. It was only later that I realized they were describing the tides. The way the ocean would recede in the morning and return by evening was its way of “taking a walk.”
Years later, I went to college to study Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, finally getting a chance to interact with the ocean beyond stories. My first real encounter came during a school field trip in my third year to Malindi Marine Park in Kenya. We arrived in the evening to find the water high, but by morning, it had receded. Standing there, I could almost see the ocean taking its mysterious walk, just as my relatives had described.
Since then, the ocean has been an integral part of my life and career. I’ve had countless interactions with it, both during my studies and in my work as a marine ecologist. The ocean isn’t just a subject of academic interest; it’s a source of endless fascination and a livelihood for me and many others.
Two experiences stand out vividly. The first was taking my family on a boat ride. Watching my young children’s eyes light up as they saw the diverse marine life for the first time was magical. Their excitement mirrored the wonder I felt as a child listening to those ocean stories. The second was a cruise ship dinner in Sweden, part of a course on integrated, sustainable coastal development. It was an unforgettable evening, dining on the open sea, enveloped by the vastness of the ocean.
The ocean is more than just a job for me; it’s a source of wonder, livelihood, and connection. It sustains not only my family but also countless others through fisheries and tourism, particularly in Kenya. Every time I think of the ocean, I am reminded of its immense beauty and importance. It’s a mysterious fortress, a livelihood, and a place of endless exploration.
“Journeys to the Sea” is a new series of inspiring stories that highlight the personal connections of marine professionals with the ocean. As a follow up to World Oceans Day on June 8th, WIOMSA is excited to launch a three-month-long celebration dedicated to the ocean. The series will feature 34 unique stories from across the Western Indian Ocean region. These stories will share firsthand accounts of ocean-related experiences, reflections, and narratives from participants who have been part of the Sida-funded International Training Programme on marine spatial planning, “Planning for a Sustainable Blue Future in the Western Indian Ocean”. The stories have been part of the Ocean Storytelling component of the workshop, led by Dr Mia Strand, Nelson Mandela University. Read the collection of stories here.
Feature photo: Lower Mpunguti, Kisite during low tide. © Kenya Wildlife Service
