Coral Reef Scientist Marine Ecosystems Research & Management Coral Reef Conservation & Restoration MPA Management • Reef Monitoring • EIA • Community Restoration Email: jmwaura@kmfri.go.ke Email: jelvasmwaura@yahoo.com Academic Qualifications PhD in Fisheries Science – Nagasaki University, Japan (Environmental and Fisheries Science) MSc – VLIR University, Brussels, Belgium (Marine Ecosystems Management) BSc – Egerton University, Kenya (Natural Resource Management) Current Roles Technical Focal Point (TFP) – Blue Economy Project (FAO / Government of Japan) National Coordinator – Coral Reef Task Force, Kenya Chapter Reviewer – Kenya Aquatic and Cognetta Journals Research Location & Specialization KMFRI Mombasa Research Centre Department: Research and Management (Marine Ecosystems) Specialization: Coral Reefs and Fisheries Conservation SCUBA Diver – Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) | Leadership Focus: Advancing coral reef conservation through scientific monitoring, community-based restoration, MPA management, and policy development to enhance marine ecosystem resilience and coastal livelihoods. Dr. Jelvas Mwaura holds a PhD in Fisheries Science from the University of Nagasaki, Japan. As a coral reef scientist, he has contributed immensely to the development and conservation of coral reefs in Kenya through a number of projects such as development of MPA management plans, annual reef monitoring programme of MPAs and non-protected reefs (fished), and publications of scientific and news articles on the status of coral reefs in relation to climate change, fishing pressure, and pollution. As a SCUBA diver, Dr. Mwaura contributes scientific knowledge towards Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) along the Kenya coast, especially on safeguarding marine and coastal ecosystems from adverse impacts due to coastal development projects such as sand harvesting and disposal of dredged materials. Further, his work also contributes to rehabilitation of degraded reefs through partnerships with local fishing communities along the Kenyan coast and relevant government agencies. He is periodically a reviewer of the Kenya Aquatic and Cognetta Journals. Dr. Mwaura has served as the National Coordinator for the Coral Reef Task Force-Kenya Chapter, in charge of updating and profiling datasets from different partners, useful for reporting at the national and Western Indian Ocean regional levels (2017 WIO-GCRMN coral reef status report and the 2017/18 post-bleaching assessment). He is currently the Technical Focal Point (TFP) for a new regional Blue Economy project funded through FAO and Government of Japan partnerships, where he contributes towards enhancing management of coral reefs and alternative livelihoods in Kenya. Donor Funded Research Awards (Selected) Community-based Reef Restoration – Pate-Kiunga (TNC & NRT, 2020-2024) FAO-Kenya / Japan Partnership – Livelihoods & Reef Management (2020-2024) UNDP/GEF – Biodiversity & Reef Rehabilitation, Shimoni (2020-2021) UNDP/GEF – Critical Habitats Conservation, Wasini (2019-2020) Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund – Humphead Wrasse (2017-2019) MARG I – Nutrient Enrichment in Coastal Lagoons (2015-2016) IFS Sweden – Habitat Quality & Protection on Groupers (2011-2013) ICRI/GBRF – Community Conservation Areas on Coral Reefs (2012) Research Specializations & Interests
Key Research Contributions & Publications Coral Reef Restoration – Lead author on low-tech, community-accessible methods to restore degraded reefs in Wasini Island, Kenya (Kenya Aquatica Journal 2021) and co-author on socio-economic impacts of coral reef rehabilitation from Wasini (Kenya Aquatica Journal 2021). Coral Bleaching & Climate Change – Research on spatial variability of scleractinian coral bleaching susceptibility in 2010 El Niño–Southern Oscillation between northern and southern reefs, Kenya (Coastal Marine Science 2017) and contribution to the Impact of the 3rd Global Coral Bleaching Event on the Western Indian Ocean in 2016 (GCRMN/IOC 2018). Nutrient Pollution – Evidence of chronic anthropogenic nutrients within coastal lagoon reefs adjacent to urban and tourism centers, Kenya using a stable isotope approach (Marine Pollution Bulletin 2017). Population Genetics – Co-authored research on population genetic structure of the stony coral Acropora tenuis showing high but variable connectivity in East Africa (Journal of Biogeography 2015). Regional Status Reports – Major contributor to Status and trends of coral reefs of the Western Indian Ocean region (GCRMN 2020) and Coral reef status report for the Western Indian Ocean (GCRMN/ICRI 2017). Zooxanthellae Studies – Research on seasonal fluctuations in zooxanthellae densities in corals in the Mombasa Marine Park (1998-2006) and findings that zooxanthellae densities are highest in summer months in equatorial corals in Kenya (Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Sciences 2009). Dr. Jelvas Mwaura's leadership and research at KMFRI strengthens the Institute's capacity to monitor, conserve, and restore coral reefs – contributing critical scientific evidence for MPA management, climate change adaptation, pollution control, and community-based conservation initiatives that protect Kenya's marine biodiversity and support sustainable coastal livelihoods. |