Kulwa Mtaki is a marine scientist specializing in fisheries management and ocean governance. She holds a PhD and MSc in Marine Sciences from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In 2025, she was awarded the prestigious United Nations–Nippon Foundation Fellowship, through which she conducted research on illegal, Unreported and unregulated fishing at the University of Rhode Island in USA. Kulwa serves as a Marine Conservation Warden at the Marine Parks and Reserves Unit in Tanzania, where she focuses on strengthening the sustainable management of marine protected areas. Her work integrates scientific research and community engagement to address challenges related to climate change, ecological resilience, and conservation governance.