Hollywood actress and global ocean advocate Kate Walsh has arrived in Mombasa, Kenya, to champion the rights of small-scale fishers and coastal communities ahead of an international summit set to put Africa at the center of global ocean conservation discussions.
The actress, widely recognized for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery on the hit television series Grey’s Anatomy, is visiting Kenya in partnership with Oceana, the world’s largest international ocean conservation organization.
Her visit comes just weeks before the 11th annual Our Ocean Conference, which will be held in Mombasa from June 16 to 18, 2026.
The conference carries historic significance as it marks the first time the globally influential event will be hosted on the African continent. Leaders from governments, environmental organizations, scientific institutions, businesses, and coastal communities are expected to converge in Kenya to discuss the future of the world’s oceans and the communities that depend on them.
The actress is using her platform to amplify the voices of local fishers and coastal residents whose livelihoods, food security, and economic well-being are closely tied to the health of marine ecosystems.
During her stay in Mombasa, Walsh is meeting directly with fishers, community leaders, and conservation stakeholders to better understand the challenges facing coastal populations and to advocate for their inclusion in international ocean policy decisions.
Her engagements are designed to ensure that African coastal communities are not merely represented in global conversations but are placed at the center of them.
Walsh is also expected to serve as a keynote speaker during the upcoming Our Ocean Conference, where she will join global leaders and conservation experts in discussions on sustainable fisheries, marine biodiversity, climate resilience, and ocean governance.
Among the key issues being highlighted are fisheries transparency, stronger protections for marine habitats, and improved accountability within the global fishing industry.
Kenya has invested heavily in positioning itself as a regional leader in sustainable ocean management, making Mombasa a fitting venue for this year’s conference.
The event is expected to generate new commitments from governments and organizations aimed at protecting marine ecosystems, expanding sustainable fisheries practices, and strengthening climate resilience in coastal regions.
The campaign aims to ensure that small-scale fishers, coastal families, and Indigenous maritime communities are recognized not only as beneficiaries of ocean protection but as essential partners in shaping its future.
