Dr. Edward Kimani

Email: ekimani@kmfri.go.ke

Dr Edward Kimani is a prominent marine scientist specialising in fisheries and marine ecology, with a strong commitment to stakeholder engagement for the sustainable use of marine resources. He holds a BSc from the University of Nairobi, an MSc from Ryukyus University, and a PhD from the University of Nairobi. His current responsibilities include planning strategic marine research, securing funding through multidisciplinary proposals, and communicating findings to policymakers and stakeholders. His recent research programs and projects include the Kenya EEZ fish stock assessment (2020–2025), the pilot Electronic Monitoring of Kenya's industrial fishing vessels (2022–2025), and the RV Mtafiti fisheries and environmental research program, where he oversaw planning and implementation of KMFRI's oceanographic research vessel operations (2015–2018). Dr. Kimani served as the Regional Coordinator for the Census of Marine Life and led the Crustacean Fisheries component of the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project (2005–2012). Since 2010, he has been a member of the Kenya Prawn Fishery Management Committee. He served as a national delegate to the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission's Scientific Committee and has served as its chair for three years. An accomplished author, he has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and technical reports, contributed to national and regional assessments, and mentored many postgraduate students. His background and research expertise position him as a leader in advancing fisheries management and conservation in Kenya and beyond.

• ▹ 2020-2025: Coordinator, Kenya Marine Offshore Fisheries Stock Assessment, leading the efforts to assess the status of offshore marine fish stocks in Kenya, providing crucial data for sustainable management
• ▹ 2020-2024: Coordinator of the Deep-water Snapper Fishery Stock Assessment in the North Kenya Banks under the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Social Economic Project (KMFSED)
• ▹ 2021-2026: Coordinator, Marine Fisheries Electronic Monitoring Pilot Project by overseeing the implementation of electronic monitoring systems to enhance transparency in the fishery and improve management practices
• ▹ 2015-2018: Coordinator of the RV Mtafiti Fisheries and Environment Research, responsible for planning and implementing the program, focusing on fisheries and environmental assessments
• ▹ 2016-19: Chairman, South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission's Science Committee, heading discussions on regional fisheries management
• ▹ 2008-2013: National Coordinator of the Crustacean Component within the South West Indian Ocean Project (SWIOFP) responsible for coordinating surveys under the project
• ▹ 2013-2018: Assistant Director of the Coastal and Marine Fisheries Research at KMFRI, responsible for coordinating research within the Oceans and Coastal Fisheries Research Department
• ▹ 2006-2013: Marine and Coastal Fisheries Research Programme Coordinator at KMFRI, responsible for coordinating and supervising a team of 6 scientists and 4 technicians
• ▹ 2005-2010: Census of Marine Life - Natural Geography of Inshore Areas (NaGISA) Coordinating and planning activities in the Indian Ocean

• ▹ Fish biology
• ▹ Fish stock assessment
• ▹ Fisheries management
• ▹ Marine ecology
• ▹ Marine biodiversity

• ▹ PhD – University of Nairobi, Kenya
• ▹ MSc – Ryukyus University, Japan (1994)
• ▹ BSc – University of Nairobi, Kenya (1989)

• ▹ Member – Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
• ▹ Member – East African Wildlife Society (EAWS)
• ▹ Member – Kenya Sea Turtle Conservation Association (KESCOM)
• ▹ Member – Network of Tropical Fisheries Society (NTFS)

• ▹ Member – Shallow Water Prawn Fishery Management Committee
• ▹ Member – Southwest Indian Ocean Scientific Committee