Oceans Alive Trust

Oceans Alive Trust, also known as Oceans Alive Foundation, is a Kenyan non-profit organisation dedicated to marine conservation and coastal community development. Founded in 2016 by Des Bowden and colleagues, it grew out of the pioneering community-led conservation work initiated at Kuruwitu in Kilifi County, where local fishers established one of Kenya's first Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in 2006. Oceans Alive's mission is to create, connect and catalyse co-management initiatives by supporting Beach Management Units (BMUs) and coastal Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs), sharing knowledge and building capacity. The organisation works across Kenya's coastline, with a strong presence in Kilifi County. It facilitates fisheries co-management, restores marine ecosystems—particularly coral reefs—and promotes sustainable coastal livelihoods. Key activities include coral out-planting (over 25,000 corals since 2019), supporting a network of 18 BMUs in Kilifi, and implementing education and outreach programmes that have reached more than 10,000 school children. Oceans Alive also runs livelihood programmes, with over 735 women participating, and works on elasmobranch (shark and ray) conservation and permaculture. Oceans Alive operates through partnerships with government agencies, conservation organisations, donors and community institutions. Its role is to provide technical, scientific and institutional support, mobilise funding, monitor impact and document lessons, ensuring that coastal communities remain the primary stewards of marine resources. The organisation has received recognition including the IUCN Blue Champions Award in 2022 and a visit from HM King Charles III in 2023. It continues to expand its model, with 30 communities replicating the Kuruwitu approach. As a non-profit entity, Oceans Alive Trust is not a commercial brand but a mission-driven organisation. Its 'brand' is built on community trust, scientific credibility and policy influence. It aligns its work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The organisation is led by a board chaired by Ali Kaka, with Des Bowden as Director/CEO, and a core team of 18 specialists based in Kilifi County.

Oceans Alive Trust was founded in 2016 to scale and support the community-led marine conservation approach that began at Kuruwitu, in Kilifi County, Kenya. The roots of this approach trace back to the late 1990s, when coral bleaching devastated Kenya's reefs and fish stocks collapsed. In response, residents and the fishing community of Kuruwitu united to form the Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare Association in 2003 (now the Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare CBO). In 2006, the CBO established one of Kenya's earliest community-driven Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs): a 30-hectare no-take sanctuary governed under traditional law, known as a tengefu. The success at Kuruwitu demonstrated that when communities are given the tools and authority to manage their marine resources, conservation can strengthen livelihoods, restore ecosystems and shape policy. Oceans Alive was established as a distinct partner to provide technical, scientific and institutional support to help scale these locally led successes along the Kenyan coast. The Kuruwitu-CBO manages the sanctuary and local community welfare, while Oceans Alive facilitates, strengthens capacity, provides technical advice, monitors, mobilises funding, supports learning and documents lessons. Since its founding, Oceans Alive has expanded its work significantly. It supports a network of 18 Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Kilifi and works with 30 communities replicating the Kuruwitu model. The organisation has out-planted over 25,000 corals since 2019 and has reached more than 10,000 school children through education programmes. It has also engaged over 735 women in livelihood programmes. Its work covers fisheries co-management, coral reef restoration, elasmobranch conservation, permaculture and marine education. Oceans Alive has gained recognition for its impact. It received the IUCN Blue Champions Award in 2022 and was visited by HM King Charles III in 2023. In 2025, it participated in the IUCN World Congress. The organisation continues to work with coastal communities, government agencies, conservation partners and donors to create healthier oceans and more resilient coastal communities, aligning its efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

• 2025

  Participates in IUCN World Congress.

• 2023

  HM King Charles III visits Oceans Alive's work.

• 2022

  Receives IUCN Blue Champions Award.

• 2019

  Coral out-planting programme begins; over 25,000 corals out-planted since.

• 2016

  Oceans Alive founded to scale community-led conservation.

• 2006

  Kuruwitu-CBO establishes a 30-hectare no-take sanctuary (tengefu), one of Kenya's earliest LMMAs.

• 2003

  Kuruwitu Conservation and Welfare Association founded by local fishers.

Community-led marine conservation and fisheries co-management facilitator in Kenya.

• REEL School Outreach Program
• Elasmobranch Awareness & Permaculture

1. 1Oceans Alive Foundationoceansalive.org
2. 2Our Story - Oceans Alive Foundationoceansalive.org
3. 3Our Team - Oceans Alive Foundationoceansalive.org
4. 4Mission & Vision - Oceans Alive Foundationoceansalive.org
5. 5Wikidatawikidata.org