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Kenyas mystical marine mammals: The call of the humpback

Discovering Kenya’s little known dolphins

Dolphins and humpback whales are threatened by fishing pressure & plastic pollution. Support Michael in his cause to protect Kenya's large marine mammals.

Michael Mwango'mbe

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Michael works with the Kenya Marine Mammal Network with the aim is to provide consistent data on occurrence and abundance of marine mammals along the Kenyan coast. This project will help to define areas of “High Importance” for marine mammals.

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## In short
Michael is a Researcher conducting research in a marine area of complete data deficiency, with the data he gains he’s creating incentives to protect Kenya's large marine mammals who are threatened by climate change. 

**Background in IT**
My background is in IT and I first came to work with marine mammals after volunteering with a local fishing community. I was working with data entry and analysis and Kenya Marine Mammal Research and Conservation had a need for a data analyst at that time. I was so excited to be able to use my knowledge in data to help gain information about dolphins and whales. 

**Constant decline**
Sadly, relatively little is known about the marine mammal species around Kenya. Some of these species have been in constant decline in the Western Indian Ocean, facing real threats such as by-catch in fishing gears, loss of habitat, overfishing, and unregulated tourism.​ The situation for marine mammals is also affected by the increased coastal development and unfortunately, marine mammals are not addressed from a national policy perspective. 

**Fighting for dolphins and whales**
My main focus is to research these incredible mammals. I track dolphins and humpback whales and collect data, especially in Kenya, since this is where they are breeding. The goal with our project is to complete a full database of the marine mammals that are found in Kenyan waters and then extend to the rest of East Africa. That way, we can create a transboundary action plan to protect the animals and other marine species.

## My organization
﻿I work for the Kenya Marine Mammal Research and Conservation and my work is often carried out within the Kenya Marine Mammal Network project, which in turn works within the following projects:

**Marine Mammals on the Kenyan coast**
This project aims to provide the first consistent data on occurrence and relative abundance of marine mammals along the Kenyan coast. Also, it will help to define areas of “High Importance” for marine mammals, which will improve our understanding of these species in the region and on a broader temporal scale. At the same time, this data is extremely important for the marine mammal conservation and management strategies in Kenya and it may be used as a baseline for further studies.
﻿
﻿Expected outputs:
- Development of a marine mammal sightings database.
- Development of photo identification database.
- Contribution to protected status of marine mammals along the Kenyan coast.
- Development of an understanding of the natural factors (oceanography, bathymetry, etc) that could influence the occurrence of marine mammals in Kenyan region.
- Promote community awareness.

The Kenya Marine Mammal Network has been collecting data since October 2011 from Shimoni (South coast) to Lamu (North Coast). In total, 301 sightings have been reported from 8 species (Humpback whale, Sperm whale, Killer whale, Pilot whale, Indo-Pacific bottlenose and humpback dolphin, common and spinner dolphin).
﻿
**Population ecology studies in Kisite and Watamu MPA:s**
The aims of the GVI and WMA marine research programmes is to create an extensive and comprehensive long-term cetacean monitoring project around Kisite-Mpunguti MPA and Malindi/Watamu MPA, respectively, utilising daily vessel-based surveys to identify which species are present, population sizes, residency rates (how many are present year round and how many are migratory visitors) and habitat utilisation. 

With this baseline information we can begin to monitor the populations over time and assess the anthropogenic impacts (influence of human activities) to inform long-term management decisions. Collecting data on the interactions of tour boats with dolphins will assist KWS to understand and manage tourism and its potential impacts on local populations with the aim of understanding which species are encountered, where and how often, as well as how this may change seasonally.
﻿
Since 2006, GVI and WMA have recorded more than 1300 sightings from four different species (Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, spinner dolphin and humpback whale).

This data has given us a greater understanding of their distribution and movement, as well as making it possible to estimate local population size of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins which are the most common coastal dolphin. The populations were estimated through the creation of photo-identification catalogues and the application of capture-recapture models, giving a number between 60 to 80 individuals in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Protected Area and 70 to 90 in the Malindi-Watamu Marine National Reserve. We also compared the photo-identification catalogues from both areas and found that at least three individuals have been moving between the north and south coast, travelling a minimum distance of 140 km.

**The Humpback whale network on the Western Indian Ocean coast**
In 2008, the Humpback Whale Network was formed as an initiative aimed at encouraging the reporting of humpback whale sightings along the Western Indian Ocean coast. All the information gathered from Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique contributes to a greater understanding of migration routes and patterns, humpback whale behaviour, population abundance and threats. Currently the network is comprised of approximately 15–20 regular whale watching locations/observers and holds records of 3200 humpback whales. 

In 2011, a record 1989 humpback whales were recorded off the East African coast, with 69 of those whales sighted in Kenya. 

As part of GVI and WMA’s involvement with the network, the teams participated in a Synchronised Whale Watching Day (SWWD) on Saturday 4th August 2012, reporting a total of 18 humpback whales.

**Education**
Dolphin watching boat excursions have been a popular tourist activity in Watamu and Shimoni for many years. They are run by community boat operators, hotels and other companies. However, until recently internationally accepted guidelines have not been in place or enforced. In order to ensure the welfare of dolphins, both WMA and GVI have created Good Dolphin Watching Guidelines, aiming to promote this as an ecotourism activity which can both economically benefit the local community and ensure that dolphins are protected from human harassment and disturbance.
​
WMA and GVI train boat operators and safari sellers on dolphin watching best practices and customer services to increase professionalism and promote ecotourism principles. KWS is working closely with both organizations in order to ensure the guidelines are followed. So far, the response from boat operators who have been trained is good and compliance to guidelines is high.﻿﻿
 
**Local dolphin-watching tour operators**
The Watamu Association of Boat Operators (WABO) was formed in 1993. Currently the community group has 60 members who among them own 15 boats. WABO takes visitors on boat excursions generating income for the local community through eco-tourism activities.

Another association is the The Kisite Boat Operators Association that was established in 2012 and is formed by 79 members, including boat owners, crews, captains and sellers. 

## Publications

**In the news**

- [Michael Mwango’mbe: A Self-taught Dolphin and Whale Scientist in Kenya](https://www.wildlifeclubsofkenya.org/Komba.pdf), Komba Magazine, 2019

In short
Michael is a Researcher conducting research in a marine area of complete data deficiency, with the data he gains he’s creating incentives to protect Kenya's large marine mammals who are threatened by climate change.

Background in IT
My background is in IT and I first came to work with marine mammals after volunteering with a local fishing community. I was working with data entry and analysis and Kenya Marine Mammal Research and Conservation had a need for a data analyst at that time. I was so excited to be able to use my knowledge in data to help gain information about dolphins and whales.

Constant decline
Sadly, relatively little is known about the marine mammal species around Kenya. Some of these species have been in constant decline in the Western Indian Ocean, facing real threats such as by-catch in fishing gears, loss of habitat, overfishing, and unregulated tourism.​ The situation for marine mammals is also affected by the increased coastal development and unfortunately, marine mammals are not addressed from a national policy perspective.

Fighting for dolphins and whales
My main focus is to research these incredible mammals. I track dolphins and humpback whales and collect data, especially in Kenya, since this is where they are breeding. The goal with our project is to complete a full database of the marine mammals that are found in Kenyan waters and then extend to the rest of East Africa. That way, we can create a transboundary action plan to protect the animals and other marine species.

My organization
﻿I work for the Kenya Marine Mammal Research and Conservation and my work is often carried out within the Kenya Marine Mammal Network project, which in turn works within the following projects:

Marine Mammals on the Kenyan coast
This project aims to provide the first consistent data on occurrence and relative abundance of marine mammals along the Kenyan coast. Also, it will help to define areas of “High Importance” for marine mammals, which will improve our understanding of these species in the region and on a broader temporal scale. At the same time, this data is extremely important for the marine mammal conservation and management strategies in Kenya and it may be used as a baseline for further studies.

﻿Expected outputs:
Development of a marine mammal sightings database.
Development of photo identification database.
Contribution to protected status of marine mammals along the Kenyan coast.
Development of an understanding of the natural factors (oceanography, bathymetry, etc) that could influence the occurrence of marine mammals in Kenyan region.
Promote community awareness.

The Kenya Marine Mammal Network has been collecting data since October 2011 from Shimoni (South coast) to Lamu (North Coast). In total, 301 sightings have been reported from 8 species (Humpback whale, Sperm whale, Killer whale, Pilot whale, Indo-Pacific bottlenose and humpback dolphin, common and spinner dolphin).

Population ecology studies in Kisite and Watamu MPA:s
The aims of the GVI and WMA marine research programmes is to create an extensive and comprehensive long-term cetacean monitoring project around Kisite-Mpunguti MPA and Malindi/Watamu MPA, respectively, utilising daily vessel-based surveys to identify which species are present, population sizes, residency rates (how many are present year round and how many are migratory visitors) and habitat utilisation.

With this baseline information we can begin to monitor the populations over time and assess the anthropogenic impacts (influence of human activities) to inform long-term management decisions. Collecting data on the interactions of tour boats with dolphins will assist KWS to understand and manage tourism and its potential impacts on local populations with the aim of understanding which species are encountered, where and how often, as well as how this may change seasonally.

Since 2006, GVI and WMA have recorded more than 1300 sightings from four different species (Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin, spinner dolphin and humpback whale).

This data has given us a greater understanding of their distribution and movement, as well as making it possible to estimate local population size of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins which are the most common coastal dolphin. The populations were estimated through the creation of photo-identification catalogues and the application of capture-recapture models, giving a number between 60 to 80 individuals in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Protected Area and 70 to 90 in the Malindi-Watamu Marine National Reserve. We also compared the photo-identification catalogues from both areas and found that at least three individuals have been moving between the north and south coast, travelling a minimum distance of 140 km.

The Humpback whale network on the Western Indian Ocean coast
In 2008, the Humpback Whale Network was formed as an initiative aimed at encouraging the reporting of humpback whale sightings along the Western Indian Ocean coast. All the information gathered from Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique contributes to a greater understanding of migration routes and patterns, humpback whale behaviour, population abundance and threats. Currently the network is comprised of approximately 15–20 regular whale watching locations/observers and holds records of 3200 humpback whales.

In 2011, a record 1989 humpback whales were recorded off the East African coast, with 69 of those whales sighted in Kenya.

As part of GVI and WMA’s involvement with the network, the teams participated in a Synchronised Whale Watching Day (SWWD) on Saturday 4th August 2012, reporting a total of 18 humpback whales.

Education
Dolphin watching boat excursions have been a popular tourist activity in Watamu and Shimoni for many years. They are run by community boat operators, hotels and other companies. However, until recently internationally accepted guidelines have not been in place or enforced. In order to ensure the welfare of dolphins, both WMA and GVI have created Good Dolphin Watching Guidelines, aiming to promote this as an ecotourism activity which can both economically benefit the local community and ensure that dolphins are protected from human harassment and disturbance.
​
WMA and GVI train boat operators and safari sellers on dolphin watching best practices and customer services to increase professionalism and promote ecotourism principles. KWS is working closely with both organizations in order to ensure the guidelines are followed. So far, the response from boat operators who have been trained is good and compliance to guidelines is high.
Local dolphin-watching tour operators
The Watamu Association of Boat Operators (WABO) was formed in 1993. Currently the community group has 60 members who among them own 15 boats. WABO takes visitors on boat excursions generating income for the local community through eco-tourism activities.

Another association is the The Kisite Boat Operators Association that was established in 2012 and is formed by 79 members, including boat owners, crews, captains and sellers.

Publications

In the news

Michael Mwango’mbe: A Self-taught Dolphin and Whale Scientist in Kenya, Komba Magazine, 2019

Dolphins and humpback whales are threatened by fishing pressure and plastic pollution. Michael works for the only organization researching these animals and the threats along the Kenyan coast.

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