The Association is committed to developing community based groups and projects and environmental protection and conservation. WMA was formed in September 2007 as a result of a workshop that brought marine stakeholders together in a much needed and long overdue forum to address conflicts and develop working partnerships.

We promote community empowerment and advocate for the protection of Watamu Marine Park and marine life. WMA is a unique initiative at the Kenyan coast bringing together members from the community, tourism and environment sectors.

Specific issues addressed by WMA:

• Lack of environmental education and awareness within the community.
• Addressing problems related to poverty and unemployment through highlighting the value of the marine resource as a potential source of revenue and developing Income Generating Activities.
• Bridging the gap between the tourism sector and local community groups to resolve conflicts and identify common areas of collaboration and partnership.
• Empowerment of community groups to participate in management and decision making processes related to marine resource use.
• Degradation and destruction of protected coastal habitats.
• Coastal pollution.
• Threats to coral reefs and mangrove forests.
• Illegal and destructive fishing methods and over fishing.

Watamu

Below is a list of WMA projects:

• Environmental Welfare
  A landmark victory for coastal communities holding back a wave of unscrupulous property developers.
• Community Education
  Many of WMA member groups are local Community Based Organisations (CBO’s), including women’s, youth and self-help groups. The groups are highly motivated and enthusiastic in promoting their self development and self-sustainability.
• Community Waste Management
  In Watamu non-biodegradable waste is polluting our beaches and threatening vulnerable marine life. Plastic bags are littering the area and the overall environment is deteriorating resulting in threats to human health.
• Dolphin Eco-Tourism and Conservation
  To promote eco-tourism best practices and dolphin conservation in the Watamu area the WMA has embarked on a Dolphin Conservation and Eco-Tourism Project. See Kenyas first national newsletter below
• Promoting Quality Tourism
  Poverty and opportunity seeking has led to a large influx of people touting for business on Watamu beaches. Unfortunately, Watamu can’t sustain more beach workers and bad working practices are on the increase.
• Sports Programme
  Sports activities can provide the answer to many of the social problems that Watamu unemployed youth suffer from, both girls and boys. Watamu Marine Association helps to promote self help youth groups and sports teams to realise their full potential
• Sustainable Fisheries Programme
  The marine life in Kenya’s inshore waters is being decimated by unsustainable fishing methods. Commercial scale fisheries are being permitted to fish indiscriminately without recourse to the law and without adequate research into the impacts.
• Volunteer Community and Marine Conservation Project
  Do you want to directly contribute to helping communities, and assist in conserving the marine environment and wildlife, plus have the experience of a lifetime in the stunningly beautiful tropical Watamu National Marine Park on the Kenyan Coast?

There are currently 8 projects listed here.