The rockpools of Watamu’s marine park are important for their diverse habitats and unique species. Easily accessible from the beach, they are enjoyed by guests of nearby hotels and give a taster of the ocean’s vast marine life. Local young men, known as ‘beach boys’, use the opportunity to show tourists around and sell them snorkelling trips and safaris. However, these beach boys often have limited knowledge, can cause damage to the habitats, and can become caught up in drugs and prostitution.

A Rocha Kenya’s field study centre is based just a few minutes’ walk from these rockpool habitats. The centre has an education building and a Kenyan marine biologist with experience studying these rockpools. Using this expertise, A Rocha will be working with the beach boys and local management authority to protect these habitats and develop a sustainable rockpool guide training programme, which will help to improve the livelihoods of these vulnerable individuals.