Kenya
Student taking environmental resource management. Interested on marine ecology
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) is a State Corporation established in 1979 by the Science and Technology Act, Cap 250 of the Laws of Kenya, which has since been repealed by the Science, Technology and Innovation Act No. 28 of 2013 which has recognized KMFRI as a national research institution under section 56, fourth schedule.
I work on marine pollution and currently focusing on plastic pollution. This involves:
- Marine litter characterization and quantification
- Monitoring and assessment of marine litter and micro plastics
I am a co-author in four published papers on the subject of marine litter pollution.
I'm an environmental analytical chemist with a special interest in microplastics pollution in East African marine waters and is currently in the final year undertaking a Ph.D. in Environmental Analytical Chemistry at Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya, studying microplastic pollution in water, sediments and looking into possible risks of microplastics in the marine environment.
My work focuses on marine conservation through locally managed marine areas, enhancing sustainable marine resource use. Communicating science to local communities. And putting action to science at the local level to enhance the change that is desired.
I believe that the success of community based natural resource management lies in empowering locals to take up the mantle through good governance, understanding and engaging in economically viable social enterprises.
Marine Pollution, Marine Litter, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental Monitoring
Dr. Ochiewo has competencies in Development studies, socioeconomic surveys, environmental economics including economic valuation of natural resources, causal chain analysis, project design and implementation, community development, governance, and natural resource policy analysis.
Lenice currently serves as a project manager (Science & Policy) for CORDIO East Africa. She has over nine years of experience working on development-focused projects from 2010, transitioning to more research-oriented work in 2014. Her past six years have focused on transforming coastal and marine resource management within Western Indian Ocean region (WIO) through research, encompassing multilevel climate change adaptation and governance; community-based natural resource management with a focus on artisanal fisheries management and community-driven management of marine litter.
David Obura is a founding director of CORDIO East Africa, a knowledge organization supporting sustainability of coral reef and marine systems in the Western Indian Ocean.