Earlier this year, the Platcorp Foundation began a partnership with the Lamu Marine Conservation Trust (LaMCoT). A community-led organisation that has been protecting the Lamu Archipelago for more than three decades. What started as a turtle conservation initiative in 1992 has grown into a dynamic programme focused on education, habitat restoration, fisheries co-management and sustainable livelihoods.

During a recent site visit, I spent several days with the LaMCoT team at their Shela offices, met their field staff and patrol leaders, attended a multi-agency stakeholder meeting, and visited the Kinyika Joint Co-Management Area (JCMA). Seeing the work up close highlighted how deeply embedded LaMCoT is within the community and how their approach balances environmental protection with the realities of local livelihoods.

LaMCoT’s “Educate, Protect, Restore” Model in Action

LaMCoT’s work is founded on the belief that conservation succeeds only when the community is involved in designing and sustaining it. Their activities extend across schools, youth groups, women’s cooperatives, and fisher communities. Education is at the heart of what they do: teaching why mangroves matter, how sustainable fishing benefits families, and why protecting coral and seagrass is essential for long-term livelihoods.

But their work goes far beyond awareness. LaMCoT protects marine life through turtle tagging and nest monitoring, maintains locally managed marine areas such as Kinyika, and facilitates regular beach clean-ups and waste management. Their waste sorting and recycling initiatives in Shela have become a model for the wider archipelago. Restoration efforts, particularly mangrove rehabilitation and shoreline cleanups, demonstrate that conservation can be practical and community-led.

Strengthening Fisheries Governance Through Monitoring, Control & Surveillance

A core focus of our partnership is helping LaMCoT strengthen Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) for community-led fisheries governance. The Kinyika JCMA is a rich but vulnerable ecosystem facing pressures ranging from illegal monofilament nets to mangrove logging, migratory fishing, coral damage, and turtle poaching.

To support LaMCoT’s governance goals, the Platcorp Foundation funded the procurement of a fully equipped patrol boat, along with safety gear and surveillance tools. This investment has transformed the team’s ability to reach remote hotspots, conduct regular patrols, and enforce regulations. The boat is now fully operational, branded, insured, and being used for both educational soft patrols and enforcement-based hard patrols.

This equipment, combined with training for Beach Management Unit (BMU) patrol leaders and intelligence teams, has enabled LaMCoT to strengthen data collection, improve reporting accuracy, and implement a more coordinated surveillance approach.

Inside the Multi-Agency Meeting: Collaboration in Practice

One of the most insightful moments of my visit was attending a multi-agency meeting convened by LaMCoT. Representatives from the Kenya Fisheries Service, the Coast Guard, the Forestry Service, county and national government, BMUs, and community data collectors gathered to review progress, share challenges, and agree on a way forward.

Discussions highlighted ongoing issues such as illegal net use, mangrove cutting, bycatch from commercial vessels, confusion around gear regulations, and rising pressure on nearshore resources. What resonated most was the shared understanding that BMUs cannot address these issues alone. Sustainable fisheries management requires the community and state to work hand in hand.

The meeting reaffirmed the importance of joint patrols, intelligence sharing, clear communication on regulations, and community sensitisation. It also demonstrated the significant shift happening in Lamu: people increasingly recognise that protecting marine resources is essential for their own long-term well-being.

Seeing Kinyika JCMA First-Hand

A highlight of my visit was snorkelling at Kinyika JCMA alongside the LaMCoT team. The experience offered a unique view of the seagrass beds, coral formations and fish species that depend on this habitat. It brought into perspective why protecting this area is so crucial and why destructive fishing practices can undo years of natural recovery.

BMU leaders who joined us shared how recent training has deepened their understanding of ocean management and changed perceptions within their communities. Many spoke about how education and consistent patrols have improved compliance and created a growing sense of stewardship.

Aligned Strategies and Shared Goals

The Platcorp Foundation’s 2025–2030 Strategy prioritises climate resilience, strengthened local governance, and sustainable livelihoods. LaMCoT’s work mirrors these priorities almost exactly. Their commitment to capacity building, community empowerment, and practical conservation aligns seamlessly with our approach.

Throughout the year, the LaMCoT team has shown exceptional professionalism and dedication. Their reporting has been timely, their communication transparent, and their ideas innovative. Working with them has reinforced how powerful community-led conservation can be when supported by strong systems and trusted partnerships.

Looking Ahead: Building on Strong Foundations

The groundwork laid this year positions the partnership for continued growth. With the patrol boat fully operational, surveillance will expand and become more consistent. Multi-agency coordination will continue strengthening, particularly around migrant fishing and mangrove management. Ongoing training for BMUs and intelligence teams will further solidify governance structures.

There is also great potential to develop alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping, crab farming, and eco-tourism, which reduce pressure on fishing while creating new economic opportunities. Strengthening digital systems for BMUs, improving e-licensing processes, and supporting women and youth in conservation-related enterprises will be key areas moving forward.

Protecting the Ocean, Strengthening Communities

My visit to Lamu affirmed the importance of investing in community-led conservation. LaMCoT’s work is improving environmental health, enhancing local governance, and creating more resilient livelihoods. The Platcorp Foundation is proud to support their efforts, and together we are helping protect the marine heritage of Lamu for generations to come.

This blog was written by Emily Belcher, the Platcorp Foundation's Project Coordinator.