Despite the huge potential, the fishing industry in Kenya is yet to achieve its full potential. Research by the Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) on fish stocks in designated coastal locations shows that 4,050 tonnes can be harvested to fetch Sh7.5 billion per year.
Speaking during the World Fisheries Day in Kilifi last week, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Livestock Chief Administrative Secretary Lawrence Omuhaka said the current tonnages for fish landed from the ocean waters remains low. “There are obvious reasons for this. They range from the use of outdated fishing methods to adverse weather conditions,” Omuhaka pointed out.
Kenya’s fisheries and aquaculture sector contribute approximately 0.54 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Earlier reports indicate that fish consumption has been declining from a modest 6.0 kg/caput in 2000 to 4.5 kg/caput in 2011.
The value of fish exports was about USD 62.9 million in 2012, or about five times greater than the USD 12.3 million in fish imports. In 2013, around 129,300 people derived their livelihood from fishing and fish farming activities (including 48,300 in inland waters, 13,100 in coastal waters fishing and around 67,900 in fish farming).
To change the tide, the government is looking at ways of promoting aquaculture and using cured fish products for food relief programmes to enhance national food security. In the marine sector, one issue is the control of foreign-flag vessels that are fishing tuna in the Exclusive Economic Zone and where illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is known to occur.
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https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/farmkenya/article/2001430600/why-fishing-industry-in-coast-remains-untapped