Dr. Gladys Okemwa
I am a senior research scientist at KMFRI with over 25 years of experience including coordinating the fisheries catch assessment programme. I have served as a member of various regional and national working groups and taskforces including: the regional taskforce on African Ornamental Fisheries, the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission (SWIOFC) Regional Minimum Terms & Conditions (MTC) Taskforce, the SWIOFC Working Party on Collaboration and Cooperation in Tuna Fisheries, SWIOFC Working Party on Demersal Fisheries, SWIOFC Working Party on Data and Statistics, and the Kenya National Sea turtle Taskforce, and various fisheries management plans among others.KMFRI Mombasa
Fisheries
Marine and coastal fisheries and conservation
My research interests broadly focus on the assessment and sustainable management of marine fisheries. In relation to this, I also undertake ecological research to understand recruitment dynamics of juvenile reef fish. I work closely with resource managers at the National and County government in developing sustainable fisheries management plans and strategies. I also have a passion in the conservation of endangered and threatened species especially sea turtles and working with community stakeholders and mentoring upcoming scientists.
PhD. Fisheries & Aquatic Resource Management, University of Eldoret
MSc in Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
BSc in Zoology, University of Eastern Africa, Baraton
PUBLICATIONS:
- Okemwa G.M, Kaunda-Arara B, Kimani E (2019) Patterns of Juvenile Reef Fish Recruitment in Kenya’s Shallow Fringing Lagoon Reefs. African Journal of Marine Science (DOI: 10.2989/1814232X.2019.1657497)
- Pascal Thoya, Sergi Pérez-Jorge, Gladys Okemwa, Hamadi Mwamlavya, Arthur Tuda, Nina Wambiji, Joseph M. Maina (2019) Spatial patterns and environmental risks of ringnets fishing along the Kenyan coast. African Journal of Marine Science
- Mary B Ontomwa, Benerd M Fulanda, Edward N Kimani, Gladys M Okemwa (2019) Hook size selectivity in the artisanal handline fishery of Shimoni fishing area, south coast, Kenya Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 18 (1): 29-46
- James Njiru, Renison Ruwa, Edward Kimani, Harrison Ong’anda, Gladys Okemwa and Melckzedeck Osore (eds). (2018) The RV Mtafiti: Marine Research towards Food Security and Economic Development for Kenya.115 pp (KMFRI), Kenya. 177 pp.
- Kimani EN, Aura CM, Okemwa GM (eds.) (2018) The Status of Kenya Fisheries: Towards the sustainable use of renewable aquatic resources for economic development. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Kenya. 177 pp.
- Gladys Okemwa, Nina Wambiji, Edward Kimani, Rashid Anam, Boaz Orembo, Mary Ontomwa, Jane Nyamora, Fatuma Mzingirwa, Athman Almubarak, Kyriah Karama (2018) Status of Small-scale Nearshore Finfish Fisheries. In: The Status of Kenya Fisheries: Towards the sustainable use of renewable aquatic resources for economic development. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Kenya. Pp 9 - 17
- Gladys Okemwa, Cosmas Munga, Emmanuel Mbaru, Benedict K Kiilu, Edward Kimani Pascal Thoya, Athman Almubarak, Remy Oddenyo, and Benrick Ogutu (2018) Status of the Pelagic Fisheries. In: The Status of Kenya Fisheries: Towards the sustainable use of renewable aquatic resources for economic development. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Kenya. Pp 34 - 54
- Jacob Ochiewo, Esther Fondo, Gladys Okemwa, Nina Wambiji, Nelly Kadagi, Frida Munyi and Benrick Ogutu (2018) Status of Non-conventional Marine Fisheries. Pp 55 - 76
- Mary B Ontomwa, Gladys M. Okemwa, Edward N. Kimani, Clay Obota (2018) Seasonal variation in the length-weight relationship and condition factor of thirty fish species from the Shimoni artisanal fishery, Kenya. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 17 (1): 103 – 110.
- Karama K.S., Matshushita Y., Kimani E, Okemwa G, Mwakiti S., Aura C., Ndegwa S. (2017) Codend mesh size of beach seine nets influences fish species and size composition in Lamu, northcoast, Kenya. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 16(2):79-88
- Olendo M, Okemwa G.M., Munga C. M., Mulupi L., Mwasi L., Bwanamkuu H., Sibanda M. and Ong’anda H. (2017) The value of long-term, community-based monitoring of marine turtle nesting: a study in the Lamu archipelago, Kenya. Oryx, doi:10.1017/S0030605317000771
- Gladys M. Okemwa, George W. Maina, Cosmas N. Munga, Elizabeth Mueni, Mwaka Barabara, Stephen Ndegwa, Pascal Thoya and Nicholas Ntheketha (2017) Managing coastal pelagic fisheries: A case study of the small-scale purse seine fishery in Kenya. Ocean and Coastal Management 144: 31-39
- Obota Clay Okoth, Fulanda Bernerd Mulwa, Okemwa Gladys Moragwa and Kimani Edward Ndirui (2017) Reproductive Biology and Body Condition of Exploited Populations of Emperor Angelfish, Pomacanthus imperator (Bloch, 1787) along the Kenyan Coast. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science
- M. Okemwa, Boaz Kaunda-Arara, Edward. N. Kimani and Benrick Ogutu (2016) Catch composition and sustainability of the marine ornamental fishery in Kenya. Fisheries Research 183: 9-31
- Opiyo, M., James Bundi Mugo, Domitila Kyule and Gladys Okemwa (2016) Overview of ornamental fish production in Kenya: current status, opportunities and challenges. Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa – Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources. December Special Edition pp193 – 200
- Mike Olendo, Cosmas Nzaka Munga, Gladys M. Okemwa, Lily Mwasi, Hassan Mohamed (2016). The current status of sea turtle protection in the Lamu Seascape, Kenya: Trends in predation and mortality levels. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 15(1): 1-13.
- Gladys M. Okemwa, Boaz Kaunda-Arara , Edward N. Kimani, B. Ogutu, Harrison Ong’anda, Clay Obota, and Mary Ontomwa (2015) Gear-based species selectivity and potential interactions between artisanal and aquarium fisheries in coastal Kenya: implications for reef fisheries management. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 14: 39-51
- Bourjea, J. Mortimer, J. Garnier, G. Okemwa, B. Godley, G. Hughes, M. Dalleu, C. Jean and S. Cicione (2015) Population structure enhances perspectives on regional management of the Western Indian Ocean Green Turtle. Conservation Genetics DOI 10.1007/s10592-015-0723-3
- Esther N. Fondo, Edward N. Kimani, Cosmas N. Munga, Christopher M. Aura, Gladys Okemwa and Simon Agembe (2014) A Review on Kenyan Fisheries Research: 1970-2009 Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science Vol. 13. No. 2, pp. 143 – 162.
- Edward Kimani, Gladys Okemwa and Gorret Mwangi (2014) Suitability of selected coral species for culture in the ornamental aquarium trade. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 13(1): 11 – 22.
- Kimani E, G. Okemwa and J. Kazungu (2009) Fisheries of the Southwest Indian Ocean: Trends and Governance Challenges. In: Transnational Trends. Perspectives from the Indian Ocean Region. Amit Pandya and Ellen Laipson (eds). The Stimson Center. Pp 3 - 18.
- Wamukota, A.W., and Okemwa, G (2009) Perceptions about trends and threats to sea turtles in Kenya. In J. Hoorweg and N. A. Muthiga, (editors). Advances in Coastal Ecology. African Studies Centre, Leiden, Netherlands African Studies Centre, Leiden, Netherlands. Pp 193 - 208.
- G. Okemwa, B. Fulanda, J. Ochiewo and E. Kimani (2009). Exploitation of Coral Reef Fishes for the Marine Ornamental Trade in Kenya. In: J. Hoorweg and N. A. Muthiga, (editors). Advances in Coastal Ecology. African Studies Centre, Leiden, Netherlands African Studies Centre, Leiden, Netherlands. Pp 1 – 8