Kwale county government in collaboration with the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project has initiated a programme to distribute fiberglass boats to local fishermen as part of efforts to boost the fishing industry and improve livelihoods.
The KEMFSED project is implemented by the national government through the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries with support from the World Bank. The project duration is 2020-2025 with funding worth Sh10 billion.
The fishery project is being implemented in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu to enable fisher-folk to increase catches and improve livelihood activities in coastal communities.
The blue economy sector encompasses fisheries, maritime biotechnology, aquaculture, tourism, and marine transport and logistics.
Kwale County has in collaboration with KEMSFED been providing boats, along with outboard engines, fishing gear and other auxiliary fishing equipment to support artisanal fisheries.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to address challenges faced by fishermen, such as depleted marine resources and climate change impacts.
Area Governor Fatuma Achani says the new initiative aims to enhance fishing practices, increase fish production, and ultimately improve the economic standing of local fishermen in the coastal county.
Achani said the fully equipped fiberglass boats with outboard engines would enable the beneficiaries to venture into offshore fishing, boost incomes and promote sport fishing.
She was speaking in Tiwi beach when she commissioned two brand-new Eco-Tourism Boat and safety equipment to Coconut Beach boat operators and a modern fishing boat, fishing gears, safety gears and post-harvest handling equipment to Tiwi Turtle group in Tiwi Ward, Matuga Sub County.
Achani says the initiative is part of a broader effort by the devolved unit to strengthen the local fisheries and aquaculture industry, improve food security, and enhance livelihoods.
“This is a significant step toward boosting the income of the beach operators from the tourism sector as well as supporting the growth of sport fishing activities within the area, more so to enhance access to offshore fishing grounds and improve daily catches and income,’ she said.
The county boss said so far, the devolved government has issued 50 modern fishing and eco-tourism boats to fisher folks in Shimoni, Tsunza, Funzi and Mwaepe fishing villages.
“We remain committed to unlocking the full potential of our coastline through sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally friendly initiatives,” said Achani.
She appealed to the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the boats so that more fisher folks in the marine communities would also be accorded the same gesture.
Achani said with the partnership with the KEMSFED project, her administration aims to transform the fishing sector into a more sustainable and economically viable industry.
The governor said in addition to equipment distribution, the KEMSFED project has facilitated the construction of nine fully equipped fish landing sites outfitted with cold storage and modern handling facilities in Shimoni, Vanga, Gasi, Chale, and Tsunza fishing villages.
The coastal county boss says that modern fishing equipment such as the deep-sea vessels has allowed the fishermen to go to the exclusive economic zone.
Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a 200 nautical mile (370 km) area extending outwards from its coastline, granting the country sovereign rights over its resources such as fisheries, oil and gas and other seabed minerals within that zone.
Achani says previously, the boats being used by local fishermen were not sustainable to fish in exclusive economic zone waters.
“Limited access to modern fishing equipment, inadequate skills, and the growing impact of climate change have hampered their productivity and income over the years,” she said.
Tiwi Ward MCA Juma Ali lauded the governor for her continued support to the residents, calling on beneficiaries to use the boats responsibly and ensure they contribute to the region’s economic growth.
“These boats will not only improve fishing capacity but also open new opportunities in ecotourism. Our goal is to create jobs, reduce poverty, and promote environmental conservation,” he added.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and Fisheries Roman Shera welcomed the distribution of fiberglass boats saying they are safe in case of boat disasters.
He said with climate change, water bodies were becoming more turbulent for fishing, noting that fiberglass boats could sail in stormy waters without their stability and robustness being affected.
Rama Amani, a representative of the local beach operators, expressed deep gratitude to the county government noting that the boats would greatly enhance their services, improve livelihoods, and help promote sustainable tourism along the coastline.
He thanked the Kwale county government and the KEMSFED project for the partnership to uplift the local artisanal fisheries value chain in the region.
Amani, who comes from a long line of fishermen, says the lives of local fisher folk and their families are bound for improvement upon receiving the fiberglass boats and engines.
By Hussein Abdullahi
