Evaluation Report

Home , Actinopyga miliaris, Kajikia, Kenya Wildlife Service, Marine park, Watamu

EVALUATION REPORT

Watamu Marine Protected Area

Location: Kenyan Coast, Western Indian Ocean

Blue Park Status: Nominated (2020), Evaluated (2021)

MPAtlas.org ID: 68812840

Manager(s): Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)

MAPS 2

1. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1.1 Biodiversity Value 4

1.2 Implementation 8

2. AWARD STATUS CRITERIA

2.1 Regulations 11

2.2 Design, Management, and Compliance 12

3. SYSTEM PRIORITIES

3.1 Ecosystem Representation 17

3.2 Ecological Spatial Connectivity 18

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Evidence of MPA Effects 20

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Additional species of 20 conservation concern

MAPS

Figure 1: Watamu Marine Protected Area includes Watamu Marine National Park (dark blue, indicating that it is fully protected), Watamu Marine National Reserve (light blue, indicating that it is highly protected), and half of Malindi-Watamu Marine National Reserve (light blue lined; it is also highly protected). Watamu Marine National Park is a no-take marine refuge which provides coral reefs and a variety of marine species with total protection from extractive exploitation. The adjacent Watamu Marine National Reserve protects the estuary known as Mida Creek and allows limited fishing. The Malindi-Watamu Marine National Reserve, located on the coastal side of Watamu Marine National Park, also allows limited fishing. See Section 2.1 for more information about the regulations of each zone. (Source: Kenya Wildlife Service, 2015)

- 2 -

Figure 2: Watamu National Marine Park (pink) sees high visitor use. The Watamu Marine Reserve (yellow) is a Medium Use Zone. The portion of the Malindi-Watamu Reserve within Watamu MPA (olive green) is a Low Use Zone, with respect to recreational activities. (Source: Kenya Wildlife Service, 2015)

Figure 3: Watamu Marine National Park (the fully protected zone of Watamu MPA) includes littoral zones (black), coral (purple), tidepools (light orange), subtidal rocky areas (orange), beaches (light yellow), sandy bottom areas (yellow), intertidal seagrass meadows (light green), subtidal seagrass meadows (dark green) and mixed areas (green). (Source: Kenya Wildlife Service, 2015)

- 3 -

Eligibility Criteria: Biodiversity Value (must satisfy at least one)

1.1.1 Includes rare, unique, or representative ecosystems.

WMPA protects several marine ecosystems that support high biodiversity, including mangroves, coral reefs, rocky intertidal areas and subtidal reefs, beaches, and seagrass meadows.1 These ecosystems are representative of those found in the coastal areas of the Western Indian Ocean.2

Mangroves: Found within the Watamu National Reserve in Mida Creek, mangrove stands are an important sea bird haven as well as protection for numerous species of fish. Mida Creek is one of the most productive mangrove ecosystems on earth, with seven out of nine East African mangrove species found there. The total mangrove area is estimated at 17.5 km2 and is dominated by Rhizophora-Ceriops. The average stocking rate of mangroves in Mida Creek is 351,100 stems/km2, with a volume of 9,270 m3/km2. In addition to protecting the coastline against natural hazards, they also trap sediments and help build up the coastline against forces of erosion.3

Coral Reefs: In Watamu Marine National Park, coral is mostly found along the seaward facing slope of channels running through the lagoon. Patch reefs, 10-50 m long, are dominated by slow growing Porites heads separated by areas of sand and seagrass. Watamu Marine Reserve protects a fringing reef that occurs near-shore and continues outward up to 1 km off-shore.4 Coral cover is low in the Watamu Marine National Park, with only 4% live coral cover in areas near the lagoon to a maximum of 12% north of Coral Gardens and near Whale Island. Coral reefs are the least common habitat in the lagoon, covering just over .085 km2 of seabed. Watamu Marine National Park provides total protection from extractive exploitation for corals; the coral reef areas are the most popular tourist attraction in the Watamu Marine National Park.5

The scleractinian coral, Anomastraea irregularis, is a rare coral found in rock pools or at the base of fringing reefs within the Park. It is listed as vulnerable in the IUCN red-list and is provided total protection by Watamu National Marine Park.6,7,8

1 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 11. 2 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 15. 3 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 11. 4 Kaunda-Arara, B., & Rose, G. A. (2004). Effects of marine reef National Parks on fishery CPUE in coastal Kenya. Biological Conservation 118:1-13. 5 Cowburn, B., et al. (2018) The Habitats and Biodiversity of Watamu Marine National Park: Evaluating Our Knowledge of One of East Africa's Oldest Marine Protected Areas. Atoll Research Bulletin 618. 6 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 13. 7 Sheppard, C., et al. (2008) Anomastraea irregularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T133484A3767662.en 8 Cowburn, B., et al. (2018) The Habitats and Biodiversity of Watamu Marine National Park: Evaluating Our Knowledge of One of East Africa's Oldest Marine Protected Areas. Atoll Research Bulletin 618.

- 4 -

Seagrass: Subtidal seagrass is the most extensive habitat in the Watamu Marine National Park, covering approximately 40% of the shallow lagoon bed.9,10 Intertidal seagrass habitats have rich invertebrate fauna, as well as many sandy pools where juvenile fish and intertidal specialists live.11

1.1.2 Includes area of high species richness or endemism within the context of the biogeographic region.

The northern coast of Kenya, where Watamu MPA is located, is rich with diverse bird life, fish, turtles, marine mammals, and unique coral gardens.12 The Watamu Marine Protected Area (WMPA) is located along the longest fringing reef on the east coast of Africa. Most of the area is dominated by coral reef and seagrass habitats, though Mida Creek has extensive mangrove forests.13 Coastal East Africa has the highest richness of seagrass species in the world with 12 species; 11 of these are found in Watamu, including the vulnerable IUCN red listed Zostera capensis.14,15

WMPA serves as an ecological refuge to an abundance of plant, coral, and other marine species due to its high local biodiversity inside its 10 km2 no-take Marine National Park area. For instance, humpback whales, dolphins, sharks, and rays seek refuge in this protected area. These top predators are important to ecosystems as they serve as indicators of the health of marine environments by identifying exposure and effects of pollutants over temporal, spatial, and trophic scales. Additionally, this area provides refuge to sixty-five species of aquatic birds, which reach numbers of over 6,000 individuals.16

1.1.3 Includes demonstrated historic or predicted ecological refugia.

No known evidence.

1.1.4 Includes area important for threatened species (including those identified by the IUCN Red List or national legislation), keystone species, or foundational species. Important areas include migration pathways and breeding, nursery, feeding, or assembly areas.

WMPA serves as a critical protection habitat for species that utilize the park for breeding, feeding, and nursery grounds and includes several species which are globally threatened.

9 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 15. 10 Kaunda-Arara, B., & Rose, G. A. (2004). Effects of marine reef National Parks on fishery CPUE in coastal Kenya. Biological Conservation 118:1-13. 11 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 15. 12 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve. Retrieved 17 August 2020 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/watamu-marine-national-park-reserve 13 Muthiga, N.A. (2009). Evaluating the effectiveness of management of the Malindi–Watamu marine protected area complex in Kenya. Ocean & Coastal Management 52:417-423. 14 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 15. 15 Short, F.T. et al., (2010). Zostera capensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T173370A7001305.en 16 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 7.

- 5 -

In seagrass and coral reef areas, sea turtles are widely distributed along the Kenyan coastline. The government of Kenya has shown commitment to the conservation of sea turtles, an important flagship species in the marine environment. Sea turtles play important ecological roles as they directly and indirectly affect other marine species in the food web. Kenya’s maritime zones are designated as marine mammal and turtle Sanctuary where these species are afforded total protection where they can nest and forage.17 There are five species of sea turtles within the Kenyan waters: the green turtle (Chelonia mydas, EN/IUCN18), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate, CR/IUCN19), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta, CR/IUCN20), olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea, VU/IUCN21) and the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea, VU/IUCN22). All five of these sea turtle species are listed by the IUCN under Appendix 1 in CITES.23 A closed zone has been designated with the primary objective of giving maximum protection to critical breeding areas for sea turtles. The WMPA zone includes sea turtle nesting sites located in Watamu National Park’s riparian area. This zone is highly protected where the removal or harm to plants or animals is prohibited.24

As for marine mammals, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae, EN/IUCN25) from Antarctica travel to the warm tropical inner reefs of Kenya for protection to enable them to breed around May-June.26 Additionally, the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus, NT/IUCN27) utilizes the WMPA as important feeding grounds.28

Kenyan waters are also home to five species of billfish, one of which has been assessed as vulnerable and another that has been assessed as near threatened on the IUCN red list. These include: the blue marlin (Makaira nigricans, VU/IUCN29), black marlin (Istiompax

17 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 10. 18 Seminoff, J.A. (2004) Chelonia mydas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T4615A11037468.en 19 Mortimer, J.A & Donnelly, M. (2008) Eretmochelys imbricata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T8005A12881238.en 20 Limpus, C. & Casale, P. (2015) Caretta caretta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T84156809A84156890.en 21 Abreu-Grobois, A. & Plotkin, P. (2008) Lepidochelys olivacea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T11534A3292503.en 22 Wallace, B.P. et al. (2013) Dermochelys coriacea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T6494A43526147.en 23 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 10. 24 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 22. 25 Minton, G., et al. (2008) Megaptera novaeangliae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T132835A3464679.en 26 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 7. 27 Braulik, G., et al. (2019) Tursiops aduncus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T41714A50381127.en 28 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 7. 29 Collette, B., et al. (2011) Makaira nigricans. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170314A6743776.en

- 6 -

indica, DD/IUCN30), striped marlin (Kajikia audax, NT/IUCN31), sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus, LC/IUCN32), and swordfish (Xiphias gladius, LC/IUCN33).34

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus, EN/IUCN35) and sand tiger shark (Carcharias taurus, CR/IUCN36) are found in both deep and shallow coastal waters as well as the lagoons of coral atolls and reefs in the WMPA.37 These natives to the Kenyan coast are long distance migratory species. Other elasmobranches found in Watamu MPA and listed on the IUCN Red List include the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias, VU/IUCN38), blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus, NT/IUCN39), shorttail nurse shark (Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum, CR/IUCN40) whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus, NT/IUCN41), blue spotted fantail ray (Taeniura lymma, NT/IUCN42), reticulate whipray (Himantura uarnak, VU/IUCN43), reef manta ray (Manta alfredi, VU/IUCN44), and giant guitarfish (Rhynchobatus djiddensis, CR/IUCN45).46

In addition to the endangered species found in WMPA according to the management plan, Cowburn et al. (2018) identified 18 more species of conservation concern in WMPA, including 6 elasmobranchs, 6 bony fish, 4 sea cucumbers, 1 seagrass and 1 coral species. These are listed in the Supplemental Information at the end of this report.

30 Collette, B., et al. (2011) Istiompax indica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170312A6742465.en 31 Collette, B., et al. (2011) Kajikia audax. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170309A6738801.en 32 Collette, B., et al. (2011) Istiophorus platypterus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T170338A6754507.en 33 Collette, B., et al. (2011). Xiphias gladius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T23148A9422329.en 34 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 9. 35 Pierce, S.J. & Norman, B. (2016) Rhincodon typus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Retrieved August 2020 from. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T19488A2365291.en 36 Walls, R.H.L. & Soldo, A. (2016) Carcharias taurus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Retrieved August 2020 from https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3854/16527817 37 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 9. 38 Rigby, C.L., et al. (2019) Carcharodon carcharias. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T3855A2878674.en 39 Heupel, M. (2009) Carcharhinus melanopterus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T39375A10219032.en 40 Pollom, R., et al. (2019) Pseudoginglymostoma brevicaudatum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T44617A124435749.en 41 Smale, M.J. (2009) Triaenodon obesus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2005.RLTS.T39384A10188990.en 42 Compagno, L.J.V. (2009) Taeniura lymma. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009. Retrieved August 17, 2020 from. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2005.RLTS.T39412A10229354.en 43 Manjaji Matsumoto, B.M., et al. (2016) Himantura uarnak. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T161692A68629130.en 44 Marshall, A., et al. (2019) Mobula alfredi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T195459A68632178.en 45 Kyne, P.M., et al. (2019) Glaucostegus typus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T104061138A68623995.en 46 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp. 9-10.

- 7 -

Qualifying Designations

Important Bird Area (IBA)47

1.2 Eligibility Criteria: Implementation (must satisfy all)

1.2.1 The MPA is designated by a legitimate and functional government representing the interests of civil society, and the MPA’s implementation meets the IUCN standards for recognizing indigenous peoples’ rights.

The Watamu Marine Protected Area includes three designations by the Kenyan government: Watamu Marine National Park, Watamu Marine National Reserve, and half of Malindi Marine National Reserve, all of which were gazette on 26th March 1968.48 The Watamu Marine Protected Area was one of the first marine protected areas designated in Kenya in 1968, and it is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).49

The Kenya Wildlife Service has the mandate to conserve and manage wildlife in Kenya, and to enforce related laws and regulations. KWS undertakes conservation and management of wildlife resources across all protected areas systems in collaboration with stakeholders.50 The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2013) requires each wildlife protected area to be managed in accordance with an approved management plan.51

In the Malindi and Watamu townships, the Swahili people are the only Kenyan natives – the Swahili people have lived in these areas since the 14th century.52 The Swahili people, as well as the other groups living in Malindi and Watamu, can fish artisanally in the Marine National Reserve (see Section 2.1 for more information).53

1.2.2 The MPA is designated to enhance the biodiversity value of the site.

The WMPA management plan (2016-2026) states the primary objective of the MPA is to conserve biodiversity.54 The Ecological Management Program, the first of four management programs within the WMPA management plan, aims to “conserve the WMPA’s marine ecosystems and improve understanding of their health and

47 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 11. 48 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 27 October 2020. 49 Muthiga, N. A. (2009). Evaluating the effectiveness of management of the Malindi–Watamu marine protected area complex in Kenya. Ocean & Coastal Management, 52:417-423. 50 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) The Kenya Wildlife Service. Retrieved August 2020 from http://www.kws.go.ke/about-us/about-us 51 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. vii. 52 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p.18. 53 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 18. 54 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 22.

- 8 -

functioning.”55 This program provides actions to assess and secure WMPA biodiversity and targeted resources.56

1.2.3 The MPA designation is permanent or is effective for at least 25 years.

WMPA was one of the first two marine protected areas established in Kenya in 1968 with the main purpose of managing marine resources, protecting biodiversity, providing sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities, managing tourism activities, reducing conflict among users, and education and awareness.57 The designations that comprise WMPA – a Marine National Park and two Marine National Reserves – are permanent designations.

1.2.4 The MPA has a management plan that has been updated within the last 15 years.

Management plans for the WMPA are reviewed and updated every ten years. The current management plan, published in 2015, is active for 2016-2026.58

1.2.5 The MPA implements strategies to enforce its regulations and enhance compliance rates that are appropriate for the MPA’s size, accessibility, and poaching threats; managers report that regulations are actively and consistently enforced.

The strategy to enhance compliance in Watamu MPA involves: • Strengthen patrol and law enforcement operations in the area by enhancing staff number, equipment, etc. • Implementation of intelligence network and anti-poaching operations in the WMPA and the adjacent areas. • Form and operationalize a cross-sectoral enforcement committee to enforce relevant laws in the marine reserves • Empower BMU units to enforce fisheries regulation in the marine reserves • Create linkages with local law enforcement agencies, e.g., the police service59

Daily security patrols are conducted within the MPA to ensure compliance to the governance. Monthly monitoring of marine resources such as corals, seagrasses, and indicator fish species, is carried out through the Strategic Adaptive Management program where marine rangers and the warden are able to keep track of changes in the ecosystems and take adaptive measures based on the monitoring data.60

55 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. viii. 56 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 28. 57 Muthiga, N. A. (2009). Evaluating the effectiveness of management of the Malindi–Watamu marine protected area complex in Kenya. Ocean & Coastal Management 52:417-423. 58 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. i. 59 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp. 73-74. 60 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 27 October 2020.

- 9 -

Additionally, education and awareness programs are employed by Kenya Wildlife Service to enhance compliance within the local communities, and particularly among fishermen and tour operators.61 The Watamu MPA management plan indicates that while law enforcement is an effective way of combatting illegal activities within the protected area, the development of good relations with surrounding communities is an essential aspect. Educational outreach focuses on the opportunities and benefits from ecosystem conservation in Watamu MPA. As community livelihood activities around the WMPA impact conservation concerns, and vice versa, good relations between WMPA managers and communities are essential to ensure that both parties can raise issues of mutual concern before they escalate into serious problems and can work together when livelihood and conservation goals align.62

To ensure the maintenance of security, well-motivated and equipped security force is crucial as well as the provision of adequate funds to facilitate and support operations. The collaboration with other key security agencies is also necessary within the area including the regular police, Kenya Maritime Authority, Tourist Police Unit, and the Administration Police.63 The major areas of concern for WMPA operations are visitor safety, wildlife safety, coral damage, speeding, lack of equipment, prevention of illegal activities including logging of mangroves and wildlife poaching, and encroachment into MPA boundaries.64

Part of the compliance strategy for Watamu MPA involves collaborations with other relevant institutions to facilitate improving surveillance, intelligence gathering, general security, beach patrols, and sea turtle monitoring.65 Joint regular patrols and operations by the Tourism Police Unit and KWS are organized between agencies to improve compliance rates.66

Managers record regulations violations within the MPA (see table below):

Quarter Offenses No. No. period Patrols Arrests Oct-Dec Illegal logging of mangroves in the Mida Creek in the areas 80 3 2020 of Matsangoni, Kadaina, Sabasaba and Hidden Island. Fishing with monofilament fishing nets within the reserve.

Jan-Mar Illegal fishing and use of unauthorized gears in Garoda, 90 6 2021 Mida, Turtle Bay Reef and Uyombo.

61 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 27 October 2020. 62 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp. 53-54. 63 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp. 70-71. 64 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 71 65 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 27 October 2020. 66 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 71.

- 10 -

1.2.6 The MPA has a budget and staff.

The annual budget for Watamu MPA is allocated by the Kenyan government and grew from about US $30,000 in 2018/2019 to nearly US $31,000 in 2019/2020, but managers report that the budget for the current year is down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Managers also report that approximately 60% of the budget is allocated to enforcement, 10% to ecological monitoring, 5% to public outreach, and 25% to other management activities. Watamu MPA has 36 staff members.67

2.1 Award Status Criteria: Regulations Scores 1-3 = Platinum, 3-4 = Gold, 4-5 = Silver

Classification and scoring (1-8) of zones based on fishing gear, bottom exploitation, aquaculture, anchoring, and boating.

The overall regulation score for Watamu Marine Protected Area is 4.8.

WMPA is organized into three zones regulating human activities. The first is the core area of Watamu Marine National Park where minimal human activity is allowed. Second is the buffer zones, Watamu Marine National Reserve and Malindi-Watamu Marine National Reserve, where activities are compatible with conservation objectives of the core area. Lastly, a transition area, the terrestrial WMPA, where resources are managed and developed sustainably for the use of people who depend on the area.68 The terrestrial area regulations are not scored in this evaluation.

Watamu National Marine Park: Fully Protected Zone 10 km2 Zone Classification: 2 Number of Fishing Gears Allowed: 0 Fishing gears list (c indicates commercial, r indicates recreational or subsistence): N/A Fishing Gear Impact Score: 0 Bottom Exploitation and Aquaculture Index: 0 Anchoring & Boating Index: 1

The Watamu National Marine Park is a no-take zone and is highly protected where the removal or harm to plants or animals is prohibited. This no-take zone is also classified as the High Use Zone (HUV) for tourism and recreational activities. It is open to recreational activities such as walking, sunbathing, snorkeling or diving but closed to all extractive activities.69 Anchoring is prohibited in coral gardens and the number of buoys is limited to reduce overcrowding at popular dive sites. A future action calls for the installation of additional moorings and buoys at anchorage sites in WMPA.70

67 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 12 April 2021. 68 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 16. 69 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp 22-24. 70 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p 72.

- 11 -

Watamu and Malindi-Watamu Marine National Reserves: Multiple Use Zones 138.5 km2 Zone Classification: 5 Number of Fishing Gears Allowed: 2 Fishing gears list (c indicates commercial, r indicates recreational or subsistence): fish traps (r), lines (r) Fishing Gear Impact Score: 6 Bottom Exploitation and Aquaculture Index: 0 Anchoring & Boating Index: 2

The Watamu Marine National Reserve, designated in 1979, is comprised of the Artisanal Fishing Zone and the Influence Zone. The Artisanal Fishing Zone has been designated for the purpose of maintaining controlled sustainable artisanal fishing activities, which are the dominant uses of this zone. Small-scale traditional fishing gears allowed include basket traps, fence traps, and handline/hook and line.71 Recreational and artisanal fishing is only allowed in the multiple use zone where small-scale traditional fisheries for subsistence or commercial purposes are permitted under the Fisheries Management and Development Act (FMDA) 2016. Under the Act, artisanal or local fishing vessels allowed to operate in the reserve should not exceed a length of 10 m and should not be motorized by an engine exceeding 40 horsepower.72 Additionally, sport fishing is allowed in the reserve and it is strictly practiced under the FMDA 2016 marine regulations, whereby any person engaging in sport fishing should (1) release alive all oceanic white tip sharks and thresher sharks caught during fishing and (2) keep full, complete and accurate records of all catches and releases of oceanic white tip sharks and thresher sharks.73 Respective county governments are responsible for issuing licenses with respect to using any vessel for recreational fishing in the Kenya fishery waters.74

2.2 Award Status Criteria: Design, Management and Compliance 5 Attributes = Platinum, 4 Attributes = Gold, 3 Attributes = Silver

2.2.1 Size: MPA ≥ 100 km2 or explicitly designed as part of a network of MPAs to support population connectivity.

The total area of the WMPA is 148.5 km2.75

71 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 27 October 2020. 72 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 27 October 2020. 73 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 27 October 2020. 74 Republic of Kenya (2016) The Fisheries Management and Development Act No. 35 of 2016, p. 812. 75 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 27 October 2020.

- 12 -

2.2.2 Ecological Isolation: Ecological or other protected area buffers surround habitats targeted for conservation within the MPA (e.g., soft sediment or deep water surrounding coral reefs).

The core no-take Watamu National Marine Park protects important coral reef ecosystems within its boundaries (see Figure 1 & 3). This area is buffered by various other surrounding habitats protected by the Watamu Marine National Reserve including intertidal and subtidal seagrass beds, soft sediment, and sandy areas.76

2.2.3 Age: MPA regulations in the site, comparable to the current regulations, are ≥ 10 years old.

WMPA was one of the first marine protected areas established in Kenya in 1968, making it over 50 years old.77

2.2.4 Effective Management Plan: The management plan identifies

2.2.4.1 Measurable conservation targets The Protected Area Planning Framework was used to develop the WMPA management plan which employs the Nature Conservancy’s Conservation Action Planning process as a foundation for designing the Ecological Management Program. The first step of the process is to define conservation targets which represent the unique biodiversity contained within the protected area as well as any ecological features that require specific management actions, such as endangered species or habitats. The conservation of these focal targets will ensure the conservation of all native biodiversity within functional landscapes and seascapes.78

Using the Protected Area Planning Framework, the WMPA management plan addresses the three main stages in applying the Conservation Action Planning methodology; the selection of conservation targets, the identification and ranking of threats to the conservation targets, and the development of management objectives and actions to address these threats and enhance the conservation targets.79

The WMPA management plan lays out focal conservation targets, each of which has certain Key Ecological Attributes that are used to help define and assess its ecological viability or integrity.80 The six conservation targets identified are: • coral reef ecosystems • seagrass beds • sandy beaches • sea turtles

76 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp 13-15. 77 Muthiga, N. A. (2009). Evaluating the effectiveness of management of the Malindi–Watamu marine protected area complex in Kenya. Ocean & Coastal Management, 52:417-423. 78 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp. 28-29. 79 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 29. 80 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p.29.

- 13 -

• waders (shore birds) • marine mammals.

The management plan describes how each Key Ecological Attribute can be measured to track its status.81 Managers have developed measurable management objectives related to the conservation targets and threats: • Conservation of WMPA’s threatened marine species enhanced • Important WMPA habitats conserved • Threats to WMPA’s critical components reduced • WMPA’s ecological components and processes are understood82

2.2.4.2 Threats to the conservation targets The WMPA ten-year management plan lists the priority threats impacting or likely to impact the WMPA conservation targets and their KEAs and ranks each threat as low, medium, high, or very high.83 Threats of highest concern to conservation targets within the WMPA include: • climate change and sea level rise • destructive fishing practices • overfishing • pollution • removal of beach cast • beach alteration and erosion • land tenure system • habitat alteration • poaching of sea turtles.84

2.2.4.3 Planned activities to mitigate threats and achieve conservation targets For each of the four measurable management objectives related to conservation targets and threats, five to ten management actions and opportunities are described in the management plan.85

2.2.4.4 Monitoring plans to measure progress towards conservation targets The WMPA management plan includes a monitoring framework designed to provide guidance for the assessment of the potential impacts resulting from the implementation of each of the four management programs: Ecological Management Program, Tourism Development and Management Program, Community Partnership and Education Program, and MPA Operations and Security Program. The Ecological Management Programme Monitoring Plan includes four objectives: Objective 1: Conservation of WMPA’s threatened marine species enhanced Objective 2: Important WMPA’s habitats conserved

81 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 30. 82 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 32. 83 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp. 31-32. 84 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp. 31-32. 85 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 32.

- 14 -

Objective 3: Threats to WMPA’s critical components reduced Objective 4: WMPA’s ecological components and processes are understood.86

This monitoring program is designed with a strategic adaptive management approach and includes easily measurable and quantifiable indicators for assessing impacts.87

A summary of the WMPA monitoring activities between October 2020-March 2021 follows:

Time Frame Monitoring/ Strategic Adaptive Management Activities Oct-Dec 2020 3 aquatic monitoring exercises 3 beach monitoring exercises 1 Mooring replacement exercise 6 Swimming classes 2 Sharks and Rays surveys 4 Beach cleanups 1Marine mammal research 1 Ecological monitoring 10 Turtle Anti-poaching surveys Jan-Mar 2021 3 aquatic monitoring exercise 3 beach monitoring exercises 2 BRUVs Deployment 2 swimming lessons 6 beach walks 1 coral bleaching monitoring 2 Scuba dives 10 beach clean-up 1 Dolphin Monitoring 2 Turtle nest monitoring

Several theses and monitoring reports relating to coral reef and mangrove habitats have been published. These reports formed the basis for the development of the Ecological Management Program.88

2.2.5 Community Engagement: The local community is engaged in the management of the MPA.

86 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 76. 87 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 3. 88 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 12 April 2021.

- 15 -

The WMPA management plan acknowledges the local community as the heart of the delivery of management and conservation objectives set out in this plan. It recognizes the community’s significant role in the use of natural resources within WMPA as well as the diversity of allowable users with conflicting interests and uses. Therefore, WMPA management plan sets the aim of incorporating indigenous knowledge into education and awareness programs and working with communities, partners, and government agencies to build consensus on natural resources for successful management.89

The MPA planning process involved a high degree of stakeholder participation in which the local community contributed to the plan development process through two stakeholder workshops. The first workshop was held at the beginning of the plan review process, and was aimed at identifying the MPA’s values, key problems, opportunities and responsive interventions to be addressed by the plan. The second workshop was held at the end of the plan development process to enable stakeholders to review, comment on, and endorse the final contents of the draft management plan.90

WMPA management involves a number of programs that engage stakeholders directly in management activities. The stakeholder programs include the Beach Management Program, the Northern Kenya Biodiversity Program, and the Kenyan Coastal Development Program.91,92 Designed by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank, the Kenyan Coastal Development Program aims to protect the natural resources and enhance the management of Kenya’s coastal and marine resources. This multi-sectoral development project is implemented by seven agencies which include Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, the State department of Fisheries, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Coast Development Authority, Ministry of Lands Department of Physical Planning and the National Environmental Management Authority.93

The Kenya Wildlife Service also supports community-based projects through its Corporate Social Responsibility program. Communities living near the MPA are encouraged to form community-based organizations which can identify projects that need KWS support. Several community-based projects have already been implemented in WMPA, including the construction of washing and picnic sites.94

2.2.6 Resources and Capacity: The MPA has adequate resources and capacity (including budget, staff, training, and leveraged partnership) to implement its management plan and

89 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), pp. 37, 64. 90 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 27 October 2020. 91 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Beach Management Programme. Retrieved August 2020 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/beach-management-programme#. 92 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Northern Kenya Biodiversity Programme. Retrieved August 2020 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/northern-kenya-biodiversity-programme. 93 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Kenya Coastal Development Programme (KCDP). Retrieved August 2020 from http://www.kws.go.ke/content/kenya-coastal-development-programme-kcdp. 94 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 12 April 2021.

- 16 -

its enforcement strategies.

Kenya Wildlife Service recruits skilled, motivated, and a properly resourced workforce that is committed to achieving the WMPA objectives and contribute to long-term success. KWS aims to retain qualified MPA staff with requisite skills in marine conservation and management. They equip their workforce with essential working tools to ensure management objectives are deliverable.96 Their objectives for WMPA’s enhanced management security include: • A competent and motivated workforce deployed and maintained in WMPA • Stakeholders collaboration enhanced • Infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment to support MPA administration enhanced and maintained • MPA security operations enhanced97

The managers of WMPA collaborate with three NGOs that help to carry out marine conservation activities in the MPA, including: ecological data collection, community relationships and links with tourism. Watamu Turtle Watch operates a turtle rehabilitation center. Watamu Marine Association connects local marine stakeholders, tourism businesses and government organizations to discuss conservation issues. A Rocha Kenya’s marine program conducts ecological research in the MPA.98

3.1 System Priorities: Replicate Ecosystem Representation

Blue Parks prioritizes nominees and Accelerator projects protecting ecosystems that are under-represented within their biogeographic region (<30% are protected in Blue Parks) or are rare in the biogeographic region.

Watamu MPA protects mangroves, coral reefs, rocky intertidal areas and subtidal reefs, beaches, and seagrass meadows.99 These ecosystems are representative of those found in the coastal areas of the Western Indian Ocean;100 however, coral reefs are currently represented in only two awarded Blue Parks in the Western Indian Ocean – Chumbe

95 Mohamed Omar, Senior Marine Research Scientist, Kenya Wildlife Service, personal communication, 12 April 2021. 96 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 64. 97 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 64. 98 Cowburn, B., et al. (2018) The habitats and biodiversity of Watamu Marine National Park: Evaluating our knowledge of one of East Africa’s oldest marine protected areas. Atoll Research Bulletin 618. 99 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 11. 100 Kenya Wildlife Service (2015) Watamu Marine Protected Area Management Plan (2016-2026), p. 15.

- 17 -

Island Coral Reef Sanctuary and Aldabra Atoll Special Reserve. Mangroves and seagrass beds are represented in Aldabra Atoll.

3.2 System Priorities: Ecological Spatial Connectivity

Blue Parks also prioritizes nominees and Accelerator projects that improve ecological spatial connectivity among existing Blue Parks.

Watamu Marine Protected Area has potential for ecological spatial connectivity with two existing Blue Parks in the area that also protect coral reefs, Chumbe Island Coral Reef Sanctuary located off the coast of Tanzania, 334 km to the south of WMPA, and Aldabra Atoll Special Reserve in the Seychelles, 980 km to the southeast (see Figure 3 below). Aldabra Atoll also protects other ecosystems found in WMPA – seagrass beds and mangroves – but it is likely that only highly migratory species that spend time in these MPAs could connect them, given the long distance without stepping stone ecosystems between them. Another 2021 Blue Park nominee, Kisite Mpunguti MPA, also protects similar ecosystems and is 166 km to the south of KMMPA. We know of no scientific research that provides evidence of ecological connectivity among these MPAs in the Western Indian Ocean.

- 18 -

Figure 4: Distance (in km) between WMPA (Blue Park nominee) and Kisite Mpunguti Marine Protected Area (another Blue Park nominee), Aldabra Atoll (Blue Park, 2019), and Chumbe Island Coral Reef Park (Blue Park, 2018).

- 19 -

Supplemental Information: Evidence of MPA Effects

In Kenya there is a higher diversity, abundance, and biomass of key coral reef finfish inside marine protected areas than outside marine protected areas.101 A study published in 2009 found that Watamu MPA had significantly higher abundances of coral reef finfish averaging 408 individuals/500 m2 compared to 299 individuals/500 m2 in unprotected reefs.102

Research on fishery catch per unit effort (CPUE) published in 2004 indicated that the density of most fish species was higher inside the no-take Watamu Marine National Park than outside; which is thought to result from increased protection from fishing and habitat protection within the park. The same study found larger fish densities in Watamu Marine National Park, compared to the neighboring Malindi Marine National Park, where some fishing is allowed, suggesting that the different levels of protection afforded by the two parks is the reason for observed differences.103

Supplemental Information: Additional species of conservation concern in Watamu MPA

Common Name Scientific Name IUCN Listing Black-tip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus NT104 White-tip reef shark Triaenodon obesus NT105 Blue-spotted sting ray Taeniura lymma NT106 Brown-marbled grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (NT)*VU107 Malabar grouper Epinephelus malabaricus (NT)*LC108 Sharp-nose stingray Himantura gerrardi VU109 Honeycomb stingray Himantura uarnak VU110

101 Muthiga, N.A. (2009). Evaluating the effectiveness of management of the Malindi–Watamu marine protected area complex in Kenya. Ocean & Coastal Management 52:417-423. 102 Muthiga, N.A. (2009). Evaluating the effectiveness of management of the Malindi–Watamu marine protected area complex in Kenya. Ocean & Coastal Management 52:417-423. 103 Kaunda-Arara, B., & Rose, G. A. (2004). Effects of marine reef National Parks on fishery CPUE in coastal Kenya. Biological Conservation 118:1-13. 104 Heupel, M. (2009) Carcharhinus melanopterus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009-2.RLTS.T39375A10219032.en 105 Smale, M.J. (2009) Triaenodon obesus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2005.RLTS.T39384A10188990.en 106 Compagno, L.J.V. (2009) Taeniura lymma. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009. Retrieved August 20 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2005.RLTS.T39412A10229354.en 107 Rhodes, K., et al. (2018) Epinephelus fuscoguttatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. Retrieved August 20 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T44673A100468078.en 108 Samoilys, M., et al. (2018) Epinephelus malabaricus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. Retrieved on August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T61338A46627320.en 109 Manjaji Matsumoto, B.M., Fahmi & White, W.T. (2016) Maculabatis gerrardi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016- 3.RLTS.T161566A104186555.en 110 Manjaji Matsumoto, B.M., et al. (2016) Himantura uarnak. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T161692A68629130.en

- 20 -

Alfred’s manta ray Manta alfredi VU111 Giant grouper Epinephelus lanceolatu (VU)*DD112 Saddle-back coral grouper Plectropomus laevis (VU)*LC113 Thorny seahorse Hippocampus histrix VU114 Hedgehog sea cucumber Actinopyga echinite VU115 White-belly sea cucumber Actinopyga mauritiana VU116 Military sea cucumber Actinopyga miliaris VU117 South African eelgrass Zostera capensis VU118 Crisp pillow coral Anomastraea irregularis VU119 Humpback wrasse Cheilinus undulatus EN120 Edible sea cucumber Holothuria scabra EN121 Table 1: Additional IUCN red-listed species found in Watamu Marine National Park identified in Cowburn et al. (2018) that are categorized as near threatened (NT), vulnerable (VU), or endangered (EN). Where a status is listed in parentheses, it was identified in Cowburn et al. (2018) with this status that does not match the current IUCN Red List status. (Source: Cowburn et al., 2018)

111 Marshall, A., et al. (2019) Mobula alfredi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T195459A68632178.en 112 Fennessy, S., et al. (2018) Epinephelus lanceolatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T7858A100465809.en 113 Choat, J.H., et al. (2018) Plectropomus laevis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018. Retrieved August 2020 https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T64412A100467190.en 114 Pollom, R. (2017) Hippocampus histrix. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T10070A54905206.en 115 Conand, C., et al. (2013) Actinopyga echinites. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T180518A1642310.en 116 Conand, C., et al. (2013) Actinopyga mauritiana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T180337A1616879.en 117 Conand, C., et al. (2013) Actinopyga miliaris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T180265A1607822.en 118 Short, F.T., et al. (2010) Zostera capensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T173370A7001305.en 119 Sheppard, C., et al. (2008) Anomastraea irregularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T133484A3767662.en 120 Russell, B. (2004) Cheilinus undulatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004. Retrieved August 2020 https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T4592A11023949.en 121 Hamel, J.-F., et al. (2013) Holothuria scabra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013. Retrieved August 2020 from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T180257A1606648.en

- 21 -