Watamu Marine National Reserve

Kenya Wildlife Service Marine National Reserve (WDPA 555621995) forming the multiple-use buffer around the no-take Watamu Marine National Park (gazetted 1968, Legal Notices 98 and 99; part of the Malindi-Watamu UNESCO Biosphere Reserve). In KWS marine national reserves only traditional, non-destructive fishing gear and techniques are permitted; spear guns are not a permitted method and are a nationally prohibited fishing gear (Kenya Gazette Notice No. 7565 of 9 Nov 2001), and scuba gear or spearguns may not be used to take lobster and beche-de-mer in Kenyan territorial waters (Fisheries (Prohibitions) Regulations 2003, L.N. 214/2003, reg. 2(c)). Spearfishing is therefore not lawful here.