The Dilemma of Enforcement vs. Empty Stomachs

Ocean Patrol at Yawi Chanel - Lamu

Conservation is deeply fulfilling and visionary work, but the weight of that responsibility truly hits home when you have to enforce and implement the rule of law. For over 6 years, we have been conducting ocean patrols, guided by intel from community members who look out for their marine resources. Last year, in partnership with the Platcorp Foundation, we began working with a team of patrollers and purchased a new boat called ‘Tunza’, which means 'to protect' or 'to care for.' Read on to gather some things we have learnt while on this journey so far.

The Risk of Sleeping Hungry in the Name of Conservation

These two men were using mosquito nets to fish at a breeding site, scooping out juvenile fish; it was disheartening to see. The obvious reaction would be to condemn this act and immediately arrest them, as using mosquito nets to fish is against the law. However, guided by Bausi, our Lamu County fisheries officer on site, we approached the two men, confiscated the net, and got to know why they did it. 

These elderly men have no other source of income and cannot afford to purchase the right gear. They have children and grandchildren at home to feed; they were not even fishing to sell, just to eat that day. We let them go, but really, it opened our eyes to a need. We recognise the urgent need for a gear exchange program - a way to replace destructive nets with sustainable tools without punishing those already struggling. While we do not yet have the resources to implement this, we see it as a vital future initiative and are actively seeking the support and funding needed to make it a reality. Otherwise, families risk sleeping hungry in the name of conservation, which, if we are being honest, they will not. That is a choice no one should have to make.

The Dilemma of Mangroves Benefactors

Musa, one of our patrollers, took us on a trip to witness mangrove destruction, and on our way back, he had much to say. As a crab fisherman, he heavily depends on the well-being of mangroves to get his daily catch. In his opinion, despite there being laws regulating mangrove logging, no none should be cut down at all. Mangroves are natural habitats for crabs, so any time the trees are cut down, his source of income is at risk. To make it worse, the very big mangroves that provide shade for the 100 or so under it are the ones targeted most. It is such a big loss!

However, having got the perspective of a logger we had encountered earlier, it is quite a tricky balance. The logger has a family to feed and knows no other way to earn his living. Mangroves are a source of housing and dhow construction material. They say we win some, we lose some; so who should lose here? 

Patrol officers at a mangrove logs landing site

This really highlighted the need for alternative and complementary livelihoods to reduce overreliance on a single source of income. With the Lamu population growing rapidly, there will be more stress on the marine ecosystem to support livelihoods. But if we support alternative and complementary means of livelihoods, there is hope after all. Otherwise, the dilemma for mangrove benefactors will remain that - a costly dilemma where everyone loses. 

Moving Forward: Our 2026 Roadmap with Platcorp

We know that Tunza cannot just be a boat used to catch people doing the wrong thing; it must be a vehicle for doing things right. This year, we are kicking off an ambitious new phase of our partnership with Platcorp Foundation to move from reactive patrolling to proactive management. 

The boat Tunza

Our 2026 strategy focuses on four key pillars:

1. Advanced Professional Training

We are conducting advanced training for our 10 BMU patrol chairmen and our undercover intelligence team. This goes beyond basic surveillance, focusing on Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) and hands-on intelligence gathering to ensure our team is effective and professional.

Ocean Patrollers MCS Training

2. Digitalising the Deep Blue

To bridge the gap between "intelligence" and "action," we are donating laptops to individual BMUs. This allows local communities to create digital systems to manage their own fisheries data, track trends, and prove the impact of their stewardship.

3. Strengthening the Rule of Law

Tunza will be busy with Multi-Agency Ranger Patrols, focusing on confiscating illegal gear and documentation. This isn't just about us; it's a coordinated effort involving law enforcement and county fisheries to ensure the rules are applied fairly and consistently.

4. The Kinyika Fisheries Operational Plan

The north star for this year is the co-creation and validation of the Kinyika management measures. This includes:

• BMU Endorsement: 10 days of intense feedback sessions with community assemblies to ensure the plan belongs to the people.

• Stakeholder Forums: We are bringing boat owners, businessmen, and the County Co-Management Coordination Committee (CCCC) together to tackle migrant fisher challenges and sensitise boat owners on sustainable practices.

• Official Institutionalisation: A joint Community–Government session to formally endorse the implementation of the Kinyika closure operational plan.

Join Us!

LaMCoT patrol team in action.

We are no longer just "policing” the water; we are training leaders, empowering communities, and building a system that is open for everyone. We invite you to join us as we seek long-term solutions to the problems pressing our communities. 

The ocean cares for us - it is time we returned the favour.

Written By: Evelyn Kimori

Photography by Tanwira Mohamed & Evelyn Kimori