Vipingo: Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) has entered a strategic partnership with Kenya’s Oceans Alive Foundation to expand its environmental conservation efforts into East Africa. The collaboration is set to enhance science-driven coral restoration, community training, and marine storytelling along Kenya’s coastline through Canon’s new brand campaign, ‘Canon’s World Unseen: 2.0-Coral’.
According to Kenya News Agency, CCNA Managing Director Somesh Adukia highlighted the program’s reflection of Canon’s dedication to protecting coral reef ecosystems. These ecosystems, although covering less than one per cent of the ocean floor, support nearly 25 per cent of marine life, protect coastlines, and contribute to food security for millions globally. Adukia pointed out the alarming rate at which coral reefs have deteriorated in the past three decades due to various environmental stresses.
The East Africa Chapter of Canon’s initiative aims to tackle these pressures with science-based restoration, advanced imaging technology, and local capacity building to ensure long-term reef recovery. Adukia emphasized the importance of a consistent and lasting program that addresses the critical needs of African communities dependent on these ecosystems.
CCNA’s research underscores the broader impact of coral reef conservation on the livelihoods of fishermen and their families. Healthy reefs are crucial for their income and food security. Kenya was chosen as the first African country to implement World Unseen 2.0 due to its suitable coral ecosystems and the strong partnership with Oceans Alive Foundation.
Adukia noted that World Unseen 2.0 is part of a wider strategic effort across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), with related activities already underway in the Seychelles and the UAE. Canon plans to expand similar initiatives throughout the region.
The Kenya Chapter, as Adukia explained, will strengthen community-led conservation through its partnership with Oceans Alive Foundation. This will involve expanding restoration work, advancing scientific monitoring, and facilitating knowledge transfer.
Des Bowden, Founder of Oceans Alive, expressed that the partnership reinforces a community-led conservation model that began in Kuruwitu. Bowden highlighted the transformative power of making the ocean visible to communities, fostering a sense of value and protection for marine resources.
Oceans Alive, founded in 2018, collaborates with Beach Management Units (BMUs) and supports alternative livelihoods such as ecotourism and aquaculture. This support is crucial during the rough-sea months when fishermen are unable to access the ocean. The Foundation also encourages fishmongers to engage in coral restoration, providing them with a deeper understanding of the relationship between coral health, fish populations, and their livelihoods.
Under the partnership, Canon will sponsor necessary infrastructure for coral propagation and outplanting, while Oceans Alive will lead restoration and community engagement, supported by comprehensive scientific data collection. Canon will equip Oceans Alive with advanced imaging tools to document various aspects of coral and ecosystem health, aiding scientific assessments.
Adukia revealed Canon’s plans to develop a program that goes beyond underwater photography to support the journalism sector in Kenya. This includes providing professional printing systems to transform research outputs into educational materials for communities and visitors.
Canon and Oceans Alive will also conduct underwater photography workshops, youth-led media projects, and environmental education sessions through Canon Academy. These initiatives aim to develop local skills in digital storytelling, scientific documentation, and conservation reporting.
