Coastal communities in Kwale are increasingly turning to the fisheries sector to enhance their livelihoods, particularly through aquaculture and improved fishing techniques.
This shift by artisanal fisheries in the coastal region is driven by the potential for sustainable food production, economic growth, and improved food security.
The move is being supported by the county government in collaboration with the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project.
The KEMFSED project is implemented by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries with support from the World Bank, with the project duration being 2020-2025 with funding worth Sh10 billion.
The fishery project is being implemented in the coastal counties of Kwale, Mombasa, Kilifi and Lamu to enable artisanal and small-scale fisherfolkto increase catches and improve livelihood activities in the coastal communities.
Through KEMFSED Artisanal and small-scale fisherfolk are receiving modern fishing boats through various initiatives to boost their livelihoods and the fishing industry.
The blue economy sector encompasses fisheries, maritime biotechnology, aquaculture, tourism and marine transport and logistics.
Area Governor Fatuma Achani says the KEMFSED project is making great strides towards building a climate-resilient aquatic food ecosystem.
Fisherfolk in Msambweni sub-county have received four fully equipped fibreglass motorised fishing boats through KEMFSED grants to enhance livelihoods for coastal communities.
Governor Achani who handed over the equipment says the boats will enable the beneficiary groups to venture into offshore fishing, boost incomes and promote sportfishing.
Achani said the goal of the partnership with KEMFSED is to provide fishermen with the tools and resources needed to increase their catches, improve their safety, and enhance their livelihoods.
She noted that the project is undertaken through the KEMFSED funded by the World Bank, where the groups also received engines, fishing gear, safety equipment and post-harvesting handling tools.
“This is a major step forward in empowering our fishing communities with the tools needed, including better boats, safety and fishing gear, to enhance their income,” she said.
She went further ‘as a county, we have issued at least 55 modern fishing and ecotourism boats, navigation equipment, fish finders, GPS among other fishing facilities to the fishery groups across Kwale.’
The coastal county boss has also issued value-added equipment, including cold chain facilities such as freezers, chillers, cooler boxes, fish processing and vending equipment, including modern energy-saving jikos, frying pans, display boxes, solar lamps and umbrellas, to several help groups and local Beach Management Units (BMUs).
“This project aims at boosting the income for the Small and Medium Enterprises groups (SMEs), which will further enhance their livelihood,” said Achani.
Bodo BMU chairperson Swaleh Kondo expressed gratitude to the partnership project, adding that the new boats and equipment will help them achieve better catches.
“For years we have been struggling with old boats and unreliable fishing gear. These new modern boats with outboard engines will allow us to venture deeper into the ocean,” he said.
Kondo said the challenge traditional fishers face is the uncertainty of the catch due to depleting fish resources and increasing extreme weather events.
He said with motorised boats fisherfolk can now undertake deep-sea fishing beyond the limit of territorial waters, which is seven nautical miles from the shore, and within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles from the shore.
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 the zone.
Kondo, who comes from a long line of fishermen, says having access to outboard engines and improved fishing gear has allowed local fishermen to increase the amount of fish caught.
He says that modern fishing equipment such as the deep-sea vessels has allowed the fishermen to venture into the exclusive economic zone.
Governor Achani, who was accompanied by County Executive Committee Members Roman Shera (Agriculture and Fisheries) and Saumu Beja (Environment), later led a successful fish harvesting exercise at Mwazaro, in Lunga sub-county, where 2,800 fingerlings are being reared by the Sunflower Women’s Group through the support from the KEMFSED Project.
“This initiative is more than just aquaculture; it’s about economic empowerment, food security, and giving our communities the tools to thrive,” said Achani.
She said the county has so far constructed at least 58 fishponds in the Tsunza, Msambweni, Kinango and Lunga areas with at least 70,000 fingerlings stocked.
Achani stated that the devolved government will continue implementing projects that ensure food and nutrition security and enhance the livelihoods of the residents.
“This initiative is not just about fish farming; it’s about economic empowerment. We are seeing real results on the ground, and today’s harvest is evidence that our people are embracing aquaculture as a source of income and nutrition,” said Achani.
Achani said the county is out to promote market linkages, reduce post-harvest losses, and raise the value of fish products by empowering women and youth with the right tools to thrive in the fisheries sector.
She says her administration is striving to modernise and expand aquaculture, making the sub-sector more independent and sustainable.
Mesalim Ali, Chairlady of the Maendeleo Bodo self-help group, applauded the empowerment move, terming it a game changer.
“We’ve struggled for years without proper storage facilities or tools. Now, with these freezers and solar lamps, we can store fish safely and even operate in the evenings,” she said.
Mariam Masudi from the Mkunguni self-help Group said the initiative will help reduce waste and increase profits.
“Many times, fish would spoil due to lack of cold storage facilities, especially during power outages. With these coolers and chillers, we can now preserve fish longer and sell to more of our customers,” she noted.
Alice Odhiambo, a member of the Sunflower Group, said the fish farming project has transformed their lives by generating income through the sale of fish.
“There was a time when we had no choice but to rely on others for everything – food, support, even basic needs. It wasn’t easy, constantly depending on other people and feeling helpless. But now, at least we can earn something of our own,” said Alice.
Her sentiments were echoed by Magret Menza, who said that pond fish will meet the community’s demand for fish as a food source, especially when sea fish become scarce due to changing oceanic conditions.
Stakeholders say fish populations decline with changing oceanic conditions throughout the year, a phenomenon often linked to seasonal shifts in temperature, currents, and food availability.
They contend these seasonal changes can affect fish distribution, reproduction, and overall abundance, impacting fisheries and ecosystems.
County executive for Agriculture and Fisheries Roman Shera says the empowerment drive has allowed the fishermen to store their catch for longer periods, reducing waste and boosting profitability.
Shera says the cold storage equipment has allowed fishermen to supply fresh fish, which sells for a higher price than dried fish, to external marine fisheries markets.
He says issuing modern fishing vessels with enhanced operational range and carrying capacity, increasing cold storage capacity and enhancing processing facilities are crucial steps to improving the quality and efficiency of fisheries production.
“By implementing these measures, we can optimise our fisheries potential and support the welfare of the local fishermen,” he said.
Shera says the success of the KEMSFED project has brought renewed optimism to Kwale’s coastal communities, equipping them with the tools and knowledge to compete in today’s fast-evolving fishing industry.
He says Kwale and KEMFSED have been actively distributing modern fishing vessels to fisherfolk as part of a broader effort to improve the industry.
By Hussein Abdullahi
