Research Scientist Fisheries & Ecosystem Based Management Fisheries Dynamics & Ecosystem Functioning Fish Stock Assessment • Trawl Fishery • Artisanal Fisheries • Cephalopods • Mud Crabs Email: efondo@kmfri.go.ke Email: efondo@yahoo.com Academic Qualifications PhD – University of Queensland, Australia (Effects of fishing on ecosystem dynamics)
MSc – Fisheries Science
BSc – Biological Sciences Research Location & Specialization KMFRI Mombasa
Department: Fisheries
Specialization: Fisheries and Ecosystem Based Management
Research Interests: Ecosystem functioning, fisheries and fish stock assessment Research Projects Involved Inventory of Mida Creek Biodiversity
Status of Trawl Fishery of Malindi Ungwana Bay
Biological Baseline Port Survey of Mombasa (GloBallast Program – IMO)
Artisanal Fishery Study – Selected Sites along Kenyan Coast
Exploitation Trends of Cephalopods – South Coast of Kenya
Mud Crabs – North Coast of Kenya | Leadership Focus: Advancing ecosystem-based fisheries management, assessing fish stock dynamics, and informing sustainable utilization of Kenya's marine fishery resources through evidence-based research. Dr. Esther Fondo has worked in various national and international research projects undertaken at KMFRI, which include the Inventory of Mida Creek Biodiversity and the Status of Trawl Fishery of Malindi Ungwana Bay. She has also participated in the Biological Baseline Port Survey of Mombasa under the GloBallast program of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Dr. Fondo has undertaken a study of artisanal fishery in selected sites along the Kenyan coast, investigated exploitation trends of Cephalopods in the South Coast of Kenya, and studied Mud crabs in the North Coast of Kenya. This diverse research portfolio demonstrates her comprehensive understanding of Kenya's varied coastal fishery systems. She holds a PhD from the University of Queensland, Australia, where her research focused on the effects of fishing on ecosystem dynamics – a critical area of study for understanding how fishing activities impact marine ecosystems and for developing sustainable management strategies. Research Specializations & Expertise Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Fish Stock Assessment Ecosystem Functioning & Dynamics Trawl Fishery Assessment Artisanal Fishery Studies Cephalopod & Crustacean Fisheries Key Research Contributions & Publications Prawn Trawling & Biodiversity – Lead author on diversity of shallow-water species in prawn trawling in Malindi–Ungwana Bay, Kenya (Diversity 2022) and observations of industrial shallow-water prawn trawling in Kenya (Oceanography Supplement 2021), providing critical data for trawl fishery management. Sustainable Crab Fisheries – Published research on sustainable crab fishery for blue economy in Kenya (Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 2021), contributing to livelihoods and economic development. Fisheries Discards & Ecosystem Impacts – Critical research on banning fisheries discards abruptly having a negative impact on charismatic marine megafauna (PLoS ONE 2015), informing discard policy and ecosystem-based management approaches. Review of Marine Fish Resources – Comprehensive review of marine fish resources research in Kenya and influence on management (Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 2014), synthesizing knowledge for improved fisheries governance. International Collaboration – Participation in the GloBallast Program (IMO) for Biological Baseline Port Survey of Mombasa, contributing to global efforts on invasive species management through ballast water control. Dr. Esther Fondo's research at KMFRI brings critical expertise in ecosystem-based fisheries management, fish stock assessment, and the effects of fishing on ecosystem dynamics – strengthening the Institute's capacity to provide scientific advice for sustainable fishery utilization, inform policy on trawl and artisanal fisheries, and advance Kenya's blue economy agenda through evidence-based fisheries management. | 
