Crossword Genius

"Poorly managed reef, greater action necessary" - Kenyan oceanologist taking sides (6,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

granny knot

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'greater action necessary kenyan oceanologist taking sides' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'poorly managed reef' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'managed' could be 'ran' (both can mean organised or was in charge of) and 'ran' is present in the answer.
'reef' could be 'knot' (I've seen this before) and 'knot' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for granny knot that I've seen before include "Rope fastening" , "Elderly relative's attempt at tying string?" , "Result of not tying a reef properly" , "Fastening that will slip or jam" , "Something tied but liable to slip" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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