Effective management of protected areas requires feedback of information throughout the entire management cycle. However, partly due to the lack of scientific knowledge to guide the various stages in the management process, the goals and objectives of protected areas are not always achieved. This Annotated Bibliography will serve as an important source of knowledge for Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers and other stakeholders in Kenya. Although MPAs have been in existence officially in Kenya since 1968, and have received a great deal of attention from scientists, there is no single reference source that documents the breadth of scientific information that is available and the gaps in knowledge. To this end, this bibliography aims to; 1) serve as a comprehensive reference source for research on MPAs, 2) act as a basic guide for use during MPA management planning and effective evaluations, and 3) act as a source for prioritizing research needs for MPAs. In addition, it is envisaged that the information contained within the bibliography will be utilized to contribute to the improved management of MPAs, and the understanding of a larger regional audience on the benefits of MPAs.
