Research Scientist Aquaculture & Fisheries Conservation Freshwater Aquaculture & Biodiversity Cage Aquaculture • Fish Biodiversity • Wetland Management • Technology Transfer Email: jokechi@kmfri.go.ke Email: jokechi_1263@yahoo.co.uk Academic Qualifications PhD (Biology) – Boston University, Boston, MA, USA MSc (Aquaculture) – Ghent University, Gent, Belgium BSc (Agriculture) – University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya Professional Memberships New England Cichlid Association • WIOMSA • IOC-UNESCO • SARNISSA • East African Water Association (EAWA) • AFRAKEN Research Location & Specialization KMFRI Kisumu Research Centre Department: Aquaculture Specialization: Aquaculture Production and Biodiversity Conservation Research Interests: Freshwater Fish Culture, Environment, Fish Biodiversity and Conservation | Leadership Focus: Advancing sustainable freshwater aquaculture and biodiversity conservation through research on cage culture impacts, technology transfer to target groups, and ecosystem-based management of wetland fisheries. Dr. John Okechi is an aquaculture and fisheries conservation researcher at the Aquaculture Division, KMFRI Kisumu Research Center, specializing in aquaculture production and biodiversity conservation. He holds a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, an MSc in Aquaculture from Ghent University, Belgium, and a PhD from Boston University, USA. Dr. Okechi has research experience covering diverse aspects of freshwater aquaculture, fisheries, and biodiversity conservation in freshwater ecosystems. His research encompasses interactions between cage aquaculture, community dynamics and ecosystem functioning, and responses to anthropogenic and climatic changes. He also has research interests in culture and propagation of selected freshwater species; innovation and transfer of aquaculture technology to target groups; wetland fisheries management, and sustainable utilization and conservation of resources. Dr. Okechi has been at the forefront of examining the ecological health of Lake Victoria in the face of growing cage aquaculture, providing critical scientific evidence for balancing lake-use and culture fisheries. His work integrates ecological assessment, socio-economic analysis, and innovative monitoring technologies to support sustainable aquaculture development in Kenya's freshwater ecosystems. Research Specializations & Interests Freshwater Fish Culture & Propagation Cage Aquaculture & Ecosystem Interactions Fish Biodiversity & Conservation Wetland Fisheries Management Aquaculture Technology Innovation & Transfer Responses to Anthropogenic & Climatic Changes Key Research Contributions & Publications Ecological Health of Lake Victoria – Lead author on research examining the ecological health of Lake Victoria (Kenya) in the face of growing cage aquaculture (Conservation Science and Practice 2022), providing critical insights for sustainable management. Cage Culture in Lake Victoria – Co-authored research on the state of cage culture in Lake Victoria focusing on sustainability, rural economic empowerment, and food security (Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 2021) and economic analysis of tilapia cage culture using different cage volumes (Journal of Applied Aquaculture 2021). Innovative Monitoring Technologies – Co-authored research on the use of unmanned aircraft systems and high-resolution satellite imagery to monitor tilapia fish-cage aquaculture expansion in Lake Victoria, Kenya (Bulletin of Marine Science 2020). Cage Aquaculture Debate – Co-authored research on whether cage fish culture in Lake Victoria is a boon or a disaster in waiting (Fisheries Management and Ecology 2019), contributing to policy discussions on sustainable aquaculture development. Socio-Economic Integration – Co-authored research on integration of mapping and socio-economic status of cage culture towards balancing lake-use and culture fisheries in Lake Victoria, Kenya (Aquaculture Research 2018). Wetland Fisheries Management – Co-authored research on balancing community needs and resource protection in Lake Kanyaboli, Kenya (Journal of Biodiversity & Endangered Species 2018). Artisanal Fisheries – Co-authored research on evaluation of artificial shelters in the artisanal spiny lobster fishery in Gazi Bay, Kenya (South African Journal of Marine Science 1995) and co-editor of the book Spiny Lobster Management (Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1994). Book Chapters & Technical Manuals – Contributor to State of Aquaculture Report in Kenya 2021, State of Cage Culture in Lake Victoria, Kenya (2018), and A Fish Farmer's Manual for Beginners, Students and Hatchery Managers (2011). Dr. John Okechi's research and leadership at KMFRI Kisumu strengthens the Institute's capacity to assess the ecological impacts of cage aquaculture, promote sustainable freshwater fish farming practices, conserve aquatic biodiversity, and transfer innovative technologies to target communities – contributing critical scientific evidence for balancing aquaculture development with ecosystem health in Kenya's freshwater systems. |