Overview
About Shimoni Centre (NAMARET)
The Shimoni Centre, designated as Kenya's National Mariculture Research Centre (NAMARET), is KMFRI's centre of excellence for marine aquaculture research and development. Located at Shimoni on the southern Kenya coast near the Tanzania border, NAMARET conducts research into the culture of high-value marine organisms — including sea cucumbers, seaweed, oysters, and marine finfish. Established in 1993, the centre also undertakes coral reef monitoring and reef restoration trials, and manages a marine aquarium used for research, education, and public outreach.
At a Glance
Established
1993
Ecosystem
Marine & Coastal
Email
shimoni@kmfri.go.ke
Address
P.O. Box 234
Shimoni, Kwale County, Kenya
Shimoni, Kwale County, Kenya
Coordinates
4°38′S, 39°21′E
Research
Research Focus Areas
Sea Cucumber Culture
Closed-cycle hatchery development, juvenile production, and grow-out optimisation for tropical sea cucumber species with high export value.
Seaweed Farming
Agronomic trials, disease management, and value-addition research for Eucheuma and Kappaphycus seaweed cultivation on the southern Kenya coast.
Coral Reef Monitoring & Restoration
Long-term reef transect surveys, coral fragment propagation, and outplanting trials to restore degraded reef areas.
Marine Finfish Culture
Pilot-scale culture trials for high-value marine species such as snapper and rabbitfish using cage and pond systems.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure & Facilities
- Marine hatchery and larval-rearing units
- Sea cucumber nursery and grow-out tanks
- Seaweed farming demonstration plots
- Coral reef restoration nursery
- Marine aquarium (public education)
- Wet and dry research laboratories