Research Scientist Fisheries Socioeconomics Environmental Monitoring & Management GIS & Remote Sensing • Aquatic Sciences • Fisheries • Socioeconomics Email: ewaithaka@kmfri.go.ke Email: ewaithaka@yahoo.com Academic Qualifications MPhil – Environmental Studies (Monitoring, Planning and Management) – Moi University, Eldoret PGD – Human Resource Management – Maseno University, Maseno BSc – Management Information Systems – United States International University (USIU), Nairobi International Certifications Ocean Governance – International Oceans Institute (IOI), Cape Town, South Africa (2017) International Diploma – Law of the Sea – Yeosu Academy, South Korea (2016) Fisheries Governance – Wageningen Centre for Innovation and Development, Netherlands (2015) Wetland Steward – Wetland International & Wageningen Centre (2015) Ocean Governance – IOI Canada & IOI South Africa (2021) Research Location & Specialization KMFRI Naivasha Department: Freshwater Systems Research Specialization: Environmental Monitoring, Planning and Management Research Interests: GIS & Remote Sensing, Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries, Socioeconomics | Leadership Focus: Advancing fisheries socioeconomics and environmental monitoring, integrating GIS and remote sensing for aquatic resource management, and promoting sustainable fisheries governance through evidence-based research and policy engagement. Ednah Waithaka has been working in the field of aquatic sciences and in particular fisheries socioeconomics. She is a graduate student of Moi University, School of Environmental Studies, and holds a BSc in Management Information Systems from the United States International University in Nairobi. She has completed an international course on New Developments and Emerging Issues in Ocean Governance by IOI Canada and IOI South Africa (4th October to 4th November 2021) and is a certified wetland steward with training from Wetland International and Wageningen Centre for Innovation and Development in the Netherlands (2015). She has been awarded two certifications in the field of: (i) Ocean Governance at the International Oceans Institute in Cape Town, South Africa (2017); and (ii) Fisheries Governance at Wageningen Centre for Innovation and Development, Netherlands (2015). She has also attained an international diploma in the Law of the Sea at Yeosu Academy of the Law of the Sea in South Korea (2016). Ednah's research focuses on understanding the socioeconomic dimensions of freshwater fisheries, applying GIS and remote sensing technologies for aquatic resource assessment, and developing evidence-based management strategies for sustainable fisheries in Kenya's inland water bodies, particularly Lake Naivasha. Research Specializations & Expertise Fisheries Socioeconomics GIS & Remote Sensing Applications Aquatic Sciences Environmental Monitoring & Planning Ocean Governance & Law of the Sea Fisheries Governance Wetland Management Key Research Contributions & Publications Population Biology of Tilapia – Lead author on population biology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Lake Naivasha, Kenya (Lakes & Reservoirs 2020); co-author on aspects of the biology and population structure of Oreochromis niloticus, Coptodon zilli and Oreochromis leucostictus tilapia in Lake Naivasha (Lakes & Reservoirs 2022). Common Carp Population Biology – Co-authored research on population biology of common carp, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758), in Lake Naivasha, Kenya (Lakes & Reservoirs 2020). Fisheries Economics & Management – Lead author on trends in fishing on Lake Naivasha and their implications for management (African Journal of Tropical Hydrobiology and Fisheries 2019); has the latest fish introduction in Lake Naivasha improved income of fishermen? The economics of Nile tilapia in Lake Naivasha (Fish Aqua Journal 2018). GIS & Remote Sensing Applications – Lead author on assessment of macrophyte populations in Lake Naivasha, Kenya using GIS and Remote Sensing (Journal of Environmental Pollution and Management 2018). Illegal, Unreported & Unregulated (IUU) Fishing – Lead author on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Lake Naivasha: Are we winning or losing? (Environmental Science 2017). Emerging Fisheries – Research on angling as an emerging fishery in Lake Naivasha (Journal of Biodiversity and Endangered Species 2017). Lake Naivasha Fishery Overview – Co-authored an overview of Lake Naivasha fishery: Challenges and management strategies (The Open Fish Science Journal 2017). Calamities & Fisheries Management – Co-authored research on consequences of calamities and their management: the case of COVID-19 pandemic and flooding on inland capture fisheries in Kenya (Journal of Great Lakes Research 2020). Ednah Waithaka's research and expertise at KMFRI strengthens the Institute's capacity to assess fisheries socioeconomics, apply geospatial technologies for environmental monitoring, and develop evidence-based management strategies – contributing critical scientific information for the sustainable management of Kenya's freshwater fisheries, particularly Lake Naivasha, and for advancing ocean and fisheries governance in the region. |