WORLD FISHERIES DAY 21ST NOVEMBER, 2024

Theme: “Collaborative Governance for Blue Transformation and Sustainable Investments in Fisheries”

As Kenya joins the rest of the world in commemorating the World Fisheries Day, the crucial role the fisheries and blue economy sector plays in the socio-economic development of the people of Kenya cannot be overstated.

Kenya is endowed with vast marine and fresh water fisheries and aquatic resources. The inland fisheries resources and found in lakes including Lakes Victoria, Kanyaboli, Sare, Turkana, Naivasha, Baringo, Jipe, Challa, Olbolosat and Kenyatta. Other lakes in which fishing activities are not undertaken but be utilized for blue Economy development include Lake Nakuru, Lake Bogoria, Lake Elementeita and lake Magadi.

Kenya also has a coastline Kenya's coastline with a total length of 1 420 km. Most of the coastline measuring about 650 km, representing 45.7 percent of the total is found in Lamu County which, in addition to its very irregular coastline, has several islands within its boundaries. The northern end of the coast, from the Somali border down to the northern coast of Ngomeni, is in general characterized by mangroves and tidal flats. Vast tracts of mangroves are again found at the southern end of the coast from Gazi Bay down to the Tanzanian border.

pursuant to paragraph 8 of Article 76 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Kenya also has an exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) measuring 200 nautical miles including 12 nm territorial waters and a continental shelf comprising the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extends beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin.

Some of Kenya's water resources are shared with its neighbouring countries, including:

Lake Victoria: The Lake is shared among three East African countries namely Kenya (6%), Uganda (43%) and Tanzania (51%). Kenya provides about 45% of the surface water that flows into Lake Victoria, which then flows into the upper Nile River. The Lake is a vital resource for Kenya and the region, providing habitation for many species of fish and birds, and supporting the economies of the surrounding countries.

Lake Turkana: Much (90%) of Lake Turkana water comes from Ethiopia through River Omo. The remaining water comes from seasonal rivers in Kenya including Turkwel and Kerio Rivers. The Lake is about 265 km long and 32 km wide, with an average depth of about 30 m and a maximum depth of 114 m. The Lake’s surface area is 6405 Km² with a shoreline of 820 Km long. The Lake has over 60 species of fish, 8-15 of which are commercially exploited.

Trans-boundary resources management and use are based on international principles on trans-boundary waters management.

Lake Jipe: Lake Jipe, is a shared water resource between Kenya and Tanzania. The Lake’s current surface area is 27.32 Km². The Jipe Tilapia (Oreochromis Jipe) which is an endemic fish species to the lake, is one of the species found in the Lake. Its main inlet is Lumi River that descends from Mount Kilimanjaro and empties into Ruvu River and Nyumba Ya Mungu Dam in Kenya.  The lake supports artisanal fisheries by the local communities across the two neighbouring countries.

2.0 CAPTURE FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION

Capture Fisheries

By and large, the sector plays a crucial role in job creation and income generation. In 2023, the industry directly supported approximately 65,000 people as fishermen and 70,000 fish farmers. The sector supports about 1.5 million people directly and indirectly working as fishers, traders, processors, suppliers, and merchants of fishing accessories, employees and their dependents. Besides being a rich source of protein, especially for riparian communities, the sector is also essential for preserving culture, national heritage, and recreational purposes. In 2023, the total fish production was 161,308 MT worth 35.9 billion Kenya shillings.

As has been the trend, most of the production was from inland capture fisheries, amounting to 121,357MT with an ex-vessel value of Ksh. 26 billion. The fish production from marine and aquaculture was 39,950 and 31,767 MT worth Ksh. 9.9 and 10.0 billion shillings, respectively. Inland capture fisheries contributed 67% of Kenya’s total fish production, with the principal catches coming from Lake Victoria. The lake accounted for 86,394 MT which was an 8% decrease in catch compared to 94,349 MT caught the previous year.

Marine artisanal production increased from 25,380 MT worth 5.4 billion in 2021 to 35,596 MT worth 8.7 billion in 2022. Deep water trawl catches increased from 1,026 MT to 1,267 MT while deep water crab catches decreased from 137 MT to 103 MT. Shallow water trawling catches decreased to 128 MT from 330 MT while longline catches increased to 527 MT from 432.6 MT. The marine fisheries potential is estimated at 150,000 – 300,000 MT.

Aquaculture: In 2023, aquaculture in Kenya recorded 31,767 MT valued at 10.0 billion as compared to 27,939 MT valued at 9.7 billion in 2022. This increase can be attributed to expanding cage culture enterprises in Lake Victoria. On other hand the land-based aquaculture production continues to stagnate mainly due to low level of pond stocking and a considerable number of inactive ponds. Cage aquaculture is quickly expanding in the African Great Lakes Region, with the potential to boost fish output and act as a source of food security, poverty reduction, and job creation. This is in line with Kenya's Vision 2030, East African Community Vision 2050, African Union Agenda 2063 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The growing population along Lake Victoria has increased pressure on the lake's capture fisheries, resulting in a decline in the resource. As a result, many fishermen and investors have turned to cage fish farming for alternate livelihoods and trade. Cage culture is an important change agent because it lowers livelihood risks while also contributing to income generation and poverty alleviation. Cage culture has emerged in recent years as a new livelihood in Lake Victoria, in addition to safeguarding diminishing wild fish species. The practice has since spread to Lake Victoria's five riparian counties, namely Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori. Installation of cages has expanded significantly from 1663 in 2016 to 5242 currently which in turn has spurred growth in the blue economy sector within the Lake Victoria region and provided employment opportunities for the people. There is growing concern that the proliferation of fish cages in Lake Victoria may have significant consequences on the lake’s ecology. Sustainable cage culture requires strict adherence to proper husbandry procedures, which can be determined by water quality and biotic structure as well as fish health and the infrastructure cost requirement.

Fish Processing and Value Addition: Fish processing and value addition refer to the series of activities undertaken to enhance the quality, shelf life and economic value of fish and fish-based products. This process includes various techniques such as cleaning, filleting, smoking, salting, drying, freezing and canning, aimed at improving the fish palatability, preserving its nutrients and increasing its market demand. As the global demand for seafood continues to rise, efficient fish processing and value addition are becoming key elements of the fishery sector's contribution to food security, employment and economic growth.

Value addition contributes to better utilization of fish resources and has the potential to create new job opportunities, increase income for local communities and enhance food security. Furthermore, processed and value-added fish products can tap into high-value markets, including export, where consumer demand for processed fish and seafood is continuously expanding. During the year 2023, a total of 10,707 MT of fish and fishery products were exported earning the country Ksh. 6.68 billion in foreign exchange. The main destination markets were in China, EU, DR Congo USA and Japan. These were fish and fishery products that were processed, giving them a highly competitive value in the international markets.

Figure 1  Monthly trends of exports and imports in year 2023

Economic Potential and Market Opportunities

Fish processing and value addition open up a broad range of economic opportunities, including:

Increased Export Potential: Processed fish and value-added products, such as canned fish, frozen fish, and smoked fish, are highly sought after in international markets. The export of these products can significantly contribute to foreign exchange earnings for the country.

Job Creation: Fish processing industries require a skilled workforce for various stages of production, such as handling, packaging, quality control and distribution. This leads to direct employment opportunities for workers in fishing communities, as well as in urban areas where processing facilities are located.

Value Chain Development: The fish processing industry creates a value chain that includes fishers, processors, distributors, retailers, and consumers. Each stage of this chain adds value to the raw product, creating wealth for the people involved.

Diversified Revenue Streams: Fish processors can generate additional income by selling by-products such as fish meal, fish oil, and fish skin, which have applications in animal feed, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

3.0 COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE OF FISHERIES AND BLUE ECONOMY RESOURCES

Collaborative governance of the fisheries and blue economy resources is key to ensuring durable use and development of the aquatic resources in a manner which is consistent with ecologically sustainable development and uplifting of the living standards of the fishing communities while promoting economic growth.

This management strategy involves shared responsibility between the government agencies and the fisheries and blue economy stakeholders. Collaborative governance:

a)      increases transparency about the status and management of natural resources 

b)     integrate the knowledge, experience, and skills of fishermen and scientists 

c)      foster active participation of local fishing communities in managing fisheries resources

Collaborative fisheries governance in Kenya has been implemented in a number of ways including:

Fisheries Co-management: through establishment of Beach Management Units (BMUs) Decision-making. The fisher communities are involved in the planning and execution of the management strategies, conservation and protection of the fish critical habitats, fisheries data collection and management of the fish landing stations and the infrastructures therein. Fisheries co-management approach has increased ownership of the various interventions among the fisherfolks.

Multi-Agency Working: is s a collaborative effort between different key stakeholders in the fisheries and blue economy sector to provide more effective services. An inter-Agency Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) Unit has been established by the Fisheries Management and Development Act Cap 378 to address the illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and fisheries crimes. By and large, the stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process, implementation of decisions, enforcement and in data collection and research efforts.

For the transboundary fisheries resources, sustainability of the resources is guided by international principles on trans-boundary resources management. These include:

    the general principle of not causing transboundary harm,

    unlimited sovereignty of States to use natural resources for national development, cooperation based on information and prior consultation,

    public participation,

    principle of equitable and reasonable utilization,

    peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for human rights.

Current Collaborations

Kenya Fisheries Service and United Nations Office on Drug and Crime: Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS) is collaborating with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) on strengthening Monitoring Control and Surveillance to address Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and fisheries crimes. From the partnership arrangement between KeFS and UNODC: 25 MCS personnel from KeFS and Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) have undergone trainings in fisheries investigation, Boarding & Inspection and Fisheries crimes; a study visit of senior KeFS officers to Namibia on fisheries observer programme was undertaken; and a Human Resource (HR) Policy on corruption and whistle blowing developed. Other activities to be undertaken in the current financial year include: establishment of an MCS command Centre and training on crimes along the fisheries value chains.

Kenya Fisheries Service and The Nature Conservancy (TNC): KeFS has also been collaborating with TNC to improve marine fisheries governance. Key outputs from this collaboration include the development of: National Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (NPOA-IUU) fishing and Lobster fishery Harvest Strategy. Other ongoing activities include the pilot project on development of an Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) for monitoring activities on board licensed fishing vessels operating in Kenya’s marine waters.

Kenya Fisheries Service and Food and Agriculture organization (FAO):

KeFS is collaborating with FAO on a number of activities aimed at strengthening fisheries governance. These activities include development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for MCS and training of MCS personnel on Port State Measures (PSM). The review of the Fisheries Management and Development Act Cap 378 on sections relevant to PSM is ongoing.

Kenya Fisheries Service and Go-Blue Project: The collaboration is aimed at building capacity of personnel involved in fisheries governance. Out of the partnership arrangement between KeFS and Go-Blue project, 40 fisheries officers and 35 Corporal Fisheries Guards have undergone a two months training on the various aspects of fisheries management.

4.0             INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

4.1 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 – Life Below Water

The SDG 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. In the context of the sector, our goal is to conserve and sustainably utilize Lake Victoria resources for sustainable development.

Promotion and strengthening inland fisheries and aquaculture- based economies is one of the initiatives under the SDG 14 that we can adapt to the specific context of the sector. This will provide economic opportunities for everyone, including the vulnerable and marginalized, and ensure that priority habitats and fish species are conserved through protected critical Fish habitats areas or other appropriate means.

we will need to ensure that inland fisheries and aquaculture-based economies are developed in such a way that all three pillars of sustainability (environmental, social and economic) are actively incorporated, so that economic progress does not come at the expense of environmental degradation or inequitable growth.

There is need to minimize Post-Harvest Losses and Food Waste. The National and County Governments and private sector need to work with fisheries stakeholders to reduce post-harvest by improving fish handling, processing and storage facilities. This will benefit stakeholders in terms of reduced losses and waste and improve commercial gains and reduce pressure on the resources.

Diversification of capture fisheries activities by promotion of sustainable aquaculture is an important initiative. Aquaculture to some extent has capacity to provide a substitute source of fish and fish products to capture fisheries, thus should be promoted as a tool to reduce demand for wild fish and thus tackle overfishing. Cage culture and land-based aquaculture are important ventures the sector can promote for sustainable development. 

4.2 International initiatives to support fisheries and blue economy implementation.

Sustainable Financing is a requirement for sustainable fisheries and Blue Economy development. At the 2017 Our Ocean Conference in Malta, 78 concrete voluntary commitments under the theme of sustainable blue economy were announced. The 2018 Our Ocean Conference also yielded considerable commitments. The World Bank announced its PROBLUE initiative at the 2019 Our Ocean Conference, which has so far raised roughly $100 million from donors like Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and the European Union.

The PROBLUE is an Umbrella Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) administered by the World Bank, designed to help countries chart a course towards a Blue Economy approach. It focuses on sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture.

Kenya is operationalizing the Fish Levy Trust Fund to provide additional funding for management and conservation of the fisheries resources. The is expected to benefit the fishers in the country.

Nonetheless, Kenya has opportunity to mobilize more funds for implementation of blue economy including establishment of a Blue Economy and Fisheries Development Fund.

4.3             Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods

The Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods is a set of concrete agriculture goals adopted by African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in 2014, to be attained by 2025 adopted.

The African Union Heads of States pledged to enhance investment in financing agriculture (including fisheries and aquaculture); ending hunger in Africa by 2025; reducing poverty through inclusive agricultural growth and transformation; boosting intra-African trade in agricultural commodities and services; enhancing resilience of livelihoods and production systems to climate variability and other related risks; and strengthening mutual accountability to actions and results. The salient feature of the Maputo Declaration is its commitment to allocating at least 10% of national budgetary resources to fisheries and blue economy sector, to achieve the desired growth of the fisheries and blue economy

CONCLUSION

As the world commemorates the World Fisheries Day, and from the contribution of capture fisheries to the national fish production, Capture fisheries are important and a pillar for the blue transformation by being a vital source of food and nutrition security; helps reduce poverty by generating revenue, creating wealth and providing an safety net; creates employment; provision of fishery commodity for trade and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); provision of cultural diets; contribute to the sustainable economic development of coastal and riparian inland water communities

it is important to remember that as Aquaculture grows to satisfy the growing demand, there is need for more concerted efforts to ensure the Governance of the resources is collaborative and consultative for sustainable growth and development. This is urgently needed as the water resources are shared with multi-user interest which require proper planning to avoid conflicts and environmental degradation.

Fish processing and value addition are crucial for unlocking the economic potential of the fishery sector. By adopting modern processing techniques, ensuring sustainable practices and exploring innovative value-added products, the fish industry can cater to a growing global market, contribute to food security and create economic opportunities.