KESCOM uses a site based approach to implement sea turtle conservation and management activities in Kenya. Initial sea turtle conservation efforts were limited to the Mombasa area (especially the area around the Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve) with the support of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Baobab Trust. Currently KESCOM activities are conducted in more than 16 sites along the entire Kenyan coast by a network of community based turtle conservation groups (TCGs).
The TCGs include (from south to north-coast); Jimbo Environment Group , Baobab trust, Bodo Turtle Conservation Group, Funzi Turtle Club, Msambweni Marine & Turtle Conservation Group, Diani Turtle Conservation Group, Bureni Turtle Watch, Takaungu Turtle Conservation Group, Dabaso Conservation Group, Watamu Turtle Watch, Delta Friends of Conservation (DEFCO), Tana Friends of the Marine Environment, Mayungu Conservation Group, Ozi Friends of Conservation, Lamu Marine Conservation Project and WWF-Kiunga project. The increase in spatial coverage follows a sustained conservation education program, support from local communities and key government institutions which include the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Ministry of Fisheries, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Coastal Development Authority and volunteers.
TCGs Activities
The activities of TCGs involve collection of turtle data and information at site level and engaging local communities and the hotel industry in the conservation process through awareness and education, beach patrols and surveillance-to protect turtle nests and nesting females, tagging of sea turtles, and fishermen-turtle-release programs. They also participate in beach-clean up events and currently some of them are involved in habitat protection activities mainly mangrove replanting in degraded areas. Their activities cover over 51% of the Kenyan Coast and adjacent waters.
The data and information collected by TCGs is organized into a national database managed by KESCOM and is used provide direction for effective conservation and management as well as inform policy and legislation.

TCGs Activities

The activities of TCGs involve collection of turtle data and information at the ground level and engaging local communities and the hotel industry in the conservation process through, beach patrols and surveillance-to protect turtle nests and nesting females, tagging of sea turtles, and fishermen-turtle-release programs. They also participate in beach-clean up events and currently some of them are involved in habitat protection measures mainly focusing on mangrove replanting. Their activities cover 50% of the Kenyan Coast and adjacent waters.

The data and information collected by TCGs is organized into a national database managed by KESCOM.