Research Scientist Marine Spatial Planning & Blue Economy Geo-information & Spatial Ecology AIS/VMS • Spatial Monitoring • IUU Fishing • Environmental Impact Email: pthoya@kmfri.go.ke Email: pascalthoya@gmail.com Academic Qualifications PhD Candidate – Marine Spatial Planning MSc – Marine Spatial Planning / Marine Research BSc – Fisheries / Marine Sciences Research Experience Over 10 years of experience in marine research working in the Western Indian Ocean Research Location & Specialization KMFRI Mombasa Department: Fisheries Research Specialization: Blue Economy Geo-information, Spatial Planning, Spatial Ecology, Environmental Impact, Fisheries Research Interests: Marine Spatial Planning, Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, Fisheries Spatial Monitoring | Leadership Focus: Advancing marine spatial planning and blue economy through geospatial technologies, integrating vessel monitoring systems for sustainable fisheries management, and addressing data gaps for informed decision-making in the Western Indian Ocean. Pascal Thoya is a Research Scientist at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI). He has background training in marine spatial planning and has over ten years of experience in marine research working in the Western Indian Ocean region. His expertise lies in the application of geospatial technologies to address marine management challenges, with a particular focus on integrating vessel monitoring systems (AIS and VMS) to support sustainable fisheries management and marine spatial planning. He has contributed significantly to understanding fishing effort distribution, spatial ecology, and environmental impacts of fishing activities along the Kenyan coast. Pascal's research addresses critical issues including Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, fisheries spatial monitoring, and the cumulative impacts assessment for ecosystem-based marine spatial planning. His work supports evidence-based decision-making for the sustainable development of the blue economy in Kenya and the broader Indian Ocean region. Research Specializations & Expertise Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Blue Economy Geo-information Spatial Ecology & Environmental Impact AIS & VMS Data Integration Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Fisheries Spatial Monitoring Small-Scale Fisheries Access & Catch Dynamics Key Research Contributions & Publications AIS & VMS Ensemble for MSP – Lead author on research demonstrating that AIS and VMS ensemble can address data gaps on fisheries for marine spatial planning (Sustainability 2021), providing innovative solutions for data-limited fisheries management. Trawling Effort & VMS – Co-authored research on trawling effort distribution and influence of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) in Malindi-Ungwana Bay, Kenya, with implications for resource management and marine spatial planning (Marine Policy 2019). Small-Scale Fisheries Access – Research on effects of assets and weather on small-scale coastal fishers' access to space, catches, and profits (Fisheries Research 2019), contributing to understanding of fishery dynamics and vulnerability. Spatial Patterns of Ring Nets – Co-authored research on spatial patterns and environmental risks of ring nets along the Kenyan coast (African Journal of Marine Science 2020), informing gear-specific management strategies. Cumulative Impacts Assessment – Co-authored work on cumulative impacts assessment to support ecosystem-based marine spatial planning in Kenya (Marine Spatial Planning: Methodologies, Environmental Issues and Current Trends, Nova Publishers 2017). Marine Protected Areas Outlook – Co-authored chapter on marine and coastal areas under protection in Kenya for the Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Areas Outlook: Towards achievement of the Global Biodiversity Framework Targets (UNEP-Nairobi Convention, GEF and WIOMSA 2020). Spatial Variation in Fish Assemblages – Co-authored research on spatial variation in benthopelagic fish assemblage structure along coastal East Africa from recent bottom trawl surveys (Regional Studies in Marine Science 2016). Fisher Displacement & Livelihood Benefits – Co-authored research on winners and losers in marine conservation: fishers' displacement and livelihood benefits from marine reserves (Society & Natural Resources 2014), contributing to understanding of social impacts of conservation. Satellite-Derived Bathymetry – Co-authored case study on satellite-derived bathymetry for Mombasa Port Channel and its approaches, Kenya (Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 2018). Pascal Thoya's research and leadership at KMFRI strengthens the Institute's capacity to integrate geospatial technologies into marine management, address data gaps for marine spatial planning, and support sustainable fisheries governance – contributing critical scientific evidence for the blue economy, IUU fishing mitigation, and ecosystem-based management in Kenya and the Western Indian Ocean region. |