Emmanuel Kakunde Mbaru

Dr Emmanuel Mbaru  holds a PhD in Marine Science from James Cook University, Australia and has made several contributions to products and initiatives that have had a significant impact in Kenya and which can be applied to the WIO Region. Emmanuel was involved in piloting gated traps in the traditional trap fisheries of Kenya and these studies indicated large reductions in bycatch, without loss of income by fishers. As coordinator of the fish aggregating devices (FADS) project, he has contributed to sustainable nearshore coral reef fisheries in Kenya using FADs – deploying more than 15 FADs since 2013 in four different areas along the Kenyan coast. Dr Mbaru has been involved in 11 research grants and has received four professional research awards. He has authored or co-authored several research papers, delivered multiple conference and keynote presentations and has supervized seven Master’s and undergraduate students.

” I am proud to be one of the first  recipients of the WIOMSA Emerging Scientist award. I am very grateful! This gives me a reason to work even harder.”