Francis Okalo is marine conservation scientists with a background in Coastal and Marine Resource Management. He has experience in coastal aquaculture, artisanal fisheries and marine conservation. He has been involved in mangrove conservation, suitability mapping of mariculture sites, development of sustainable aquaculture systems, socio-economic surveys in the artisanal fisheries sector, promoting community conservation efforts and community development. He is passionate about promoting sustainable ocean economy especially developing solutions that enhance livelihoods of coastal communities by linking research and community development. Francis has worked in the Kenyan seaweed sector for seven years his vision is to have a sector that is well integrated with other ocean uses to achieve conservation and livelihood goals.