By Damaris Kinyua
Growing up on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, the ocean was always something I admired from a distance. I didn’t fully understand it, but I knew it was powerful, mysterious, and vital to life along the coast. Years later, that distant admiration grew into a deep, personal commitment to ocean conservation.
Today, when I hear the theme “One Ocean, One Future,” I don’t just think of science or the policy. I think of the faces of fishers I have worked with across the Kenyan coast, the women restoring mangroves in Lamu-Tana Seascape, the students I have mentored at Pwani University, and the quiet determination of communities trying to protect their resources with limited means. These are the people who shape my daily work.
Over the last few years, I have worn many hats; from researcher, trainer, project coordinator, to mentor. Whether I was co-leading research, contributing to influencing policy, strengthening local governance structures, and advancing ecosystem-based management, one thing became clear: community involvement is not optional. It is the foundation of any meaningful, lasting impact. Lasting, impactful conservation efforts can only be achieved when local voices are actively included in decision-making and implementation.
During my various assignments over the years, I have had opportunities to engage with diverse stakeholders. These engagements are not just data-gathering sessions, rather, they remain deeply human moments. I listen to fishers, traders, and resource users tell their stories: of what the ocean has given them, what it has taken away, and what they fear losing if things don’t change. Many times, I leave those conversations feeling both humbled and energized. It reminds me that we cannot talk about sustainability without talking about equity and justice.
My academic background in limnology, wetland management, and applied aquatic sciences gave me the scientific tools. But it is the fieldwork: walking through mangroves, engaging in community workshops, and holding space for dialogue, that has taught me how to connect the dots between science, policy, and people. That’s where real solutions emerge.
When I reflect on the upcoming WIOMSA 2025 Symposium, I see a chance for all of us—researchers, policymakers, community leaders, and young ocean champions—to come together and co-create a new story for our ocean. I’m looking forward to hearing fresh ideas, sharing lessons from my work, and being inspired by others who care just as deeply.
I believe that the Western Indian Ocean can be a model of what’s possible when diverse voices are appreciated and included. It’s an opportunity to invest in community knowledge systems, amplify local voices, and support policies that recognize the contributions and rights of those living closest to the ocean.
My message to everyone is that: your voice matters! Whether you are conducting research, documenting local practices, organizing beach cleanups, or simply asking hard questions, your role in this movement is essential. We each have something to contribute.
As we gather in Mombasa for WIOMSA 2025, let’s commit to action that goes beyond the conference room. Let’s write policies that reflect real needs, conduct science that includes all stakeholders, and build bridges that connect generations, disciplines, and borders.
Because we truly have One Ocean, and what we do now will shape its future!
