The Coast secretariat represented the tourism industry at a 2 day retreat on validation of draft integrated ocean management policy. The policy is part of a task force report on delineation of Kenya’s outer continental shelf. Among the key areas of discussion were the international legal framework as relates to maritime zones, ocean management principles, integrated management of marine ecosystems and ocean resources, development of maritime science, technology, education and research, maritime security and safety & policy implementation framework. The key recommendations of the forum were:

1. Establishment of an independent and non partisan institution for coordination and integration of ocean management (Directorate of National Ocean Management);
2. Formation of a marine surveillance, security, safety and enforcement unit (Kenya Coast Guard Service);
3. Setting up of an Ocean Development Fund;
4. Promotion of optimal development and utilization of ocean resources through community participation, stakeholders’ involvement and collaboration of relevant institutions at national, regional and international levels; and,
5. Undertaking of marine resource inventory and mapping.