Assessment of the Influence of Beach Management Units on Fisheries Governance in Migingo Island, Kenya

This study examined the efficacy of community‐level fishery co‐management organizations called Beach Management Units (BMUs) along the Kenyan shores of Lake Victoria. BMUs were established to enhance sustainable Lake Victoria fishery management through increasing the level of community participation to assist in the administration of fisheries rules and regulations by, and for, the fishers. Inefficiencies have emerged, however, inhibiting the effective execution of sustainable fisheries management by the BMUs. Data were collected from 36 BMUs along the Kenyan shores of Lake Victoria. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS Version 20.0. The results indicated that BMUs are successful at educating fishers and that they are aware of fishing rules and regulations. Nevertheless, high violation rates were also observed, suggesting BMUs have limited impact on fisher decisions to comply with regulations. Data suggest that the failure to comply may be due to lack of adequate financial and equipment resources for monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) operations, making them unable to control illegal fishing in their areas of jurisdiction. Furthermore, financial mechanisms, which would allow BMUs to sustainably fund their administrative and MCS operations, are weak, thereby reducing the BMUs ability to effectively function. The data from this study highlight two activities illustrating significant indices of good performance, namely resolving disputes and receiving visitors. The data also suggest the creation of BMUs has not ensured successful implementation of co‐management of Lake Victoria fisheries. BMUs are successful at activities of a social nature, but have poorly undertaken their core functions related to enforcement and compliance with fishing rules.

Fishers’ attitudes and perception are critical towards assessing the achievement of BMUs in implementing its activities. This study, examined fishers’ perception to wide range of activities that the BMUs are supposed to undertake within their areas of jurisdiction and to investigate if the perceptions depend on specific activity, and fishers’ demographic, social characteristics and fishing activity of the fisher. These activities are those specifically designed to regulate fisheries and focus on reducing poverty among fishers. A structured questionnaire and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) as well as participant observation were used to collect data. A chi-square and multiple regression analysis and content analysis were used to analyse the generated data. A total of 62 respondents from survey questionnaire and eight informants from the KIIs were interviewed. It was conducted on two BMUs in Lake Victoria, Tanzania between January and February 2014. The survey respondents were drawn from fisheries stakeholder group while key informants comprised BMU executive committee and village leadership. The results of this study suggests that there is difference in fishers’ perception between BMUs on how activities like patrolling fishing grounds, collecting revenues, conducting meetings and initiating development projects have been conducted. The length of time one has been in the fishery, level of education and occupation in the fishery influences how fishers perceive BMUs performance. These findings reveal that the performance of BMUs could possibly be different across all activities. It is therefore recommended that a survey covering many BMUs and activities be conducted to get a better understanding of areas where support is required to strengthen the performance of BMUs in managing fisheries of Lake Victoria, Tanzania.

This study was carried out to assess the performance of Beach Management Units (BMU) in mangrove protection in Bagamoyo district; A case of Mlingotini village in Zinga ward. The study anticipated to address the three specific objectives: To examine the strategies used by BMU towards mangrove protection at the study area, to examine the extent to which BMU has reduced mangrove destruction and to explore the challenges facing mangrove protection initiatives by BMUs. A total of 97 respondents were covered including 4 key informants. Findings from this study show that awareness on mangrove protection is still inadequate. Also the study established that, although BMU has reduced cutting of mangrove for various purposes, but there is still a significant destruction which needs to be addressed. The study established lack of environmental education, building materials, business activities, lack of working facilities, social ties, unemployment, lack of government support and week by-laws as major challenges facing mangrove protection by BMU. Following the findings it is recommended that BMU should device regular awareness programmes to build understanding to the whole community. Furthermore, BMUs should device strong by-laws geared towards mangrove protection so as to make people fear of to cut mangrove. Lastly, the government support is needed to provide working facilities, to create employment and fight illegal business of mangroves.

Marine ecosystem restoration, particularly coral reef restoration, has gained popularity as a conservation intervention in tropical areas. Traditionally driven by natural science, these efforts often overlooked social aspects, such as the inclusion of relevant stakeholders. In Kenya, the co-management approach involving Beach Management Units (BMUs) has been adopted for sustainable marine resource management, fostering active and long-term coastal community participation. This paper investigates the drivers of engagement of various stakeholders, particularly understanding their motivations, capacities, and the associated challenges in engaging in coral reef restoration efforts in Shimoni, on the southern coast of Kenya. We employed marine stewardship as a framework and utilized qualitative research methodologies to collected data; eighteen semi-structured interviews with key respondents, two focus group discussions, participant observations during BMU’s meeting, and a review of secondary sources. Our results identified six stakeholder categories: local community represented under BMUs, national and county governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), funding agencies, knowledge and research institutions, and tourism businesses. Notably, the BMU and government agencies are central nodes in an extensive stakeholder network. Key motivations include a collective call to stewardship, sustainable reef management, and coral reef resilience research, while capacities vary in sense of ownership, legislative mandate, technical knowledge, and financial or supportive resources. Underlying challenges revolve around limited awareness, leadership and governance issues, project implementation, community engagement, resource mobilisation, and external threats. Understanding stakeholders, motivations, capacities and challenges is crucial for designing effective and inclusive reef restoration strategies, embedded in local societies.

Lake Baringo (located in Kenya, East Africa) fishery is currently under perturbation with diverse annual fluctuations in the catch landings. In an attempt to remedy the declining fishery, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Department and Beach Management Units, identified and demarcated three fish breeding areas for protection. To assess the effectiveness of these protected fish breeding areas, three fleets of multifilament gillnets (mesh sizes; 25.4 to 203.2 mm) were set between February and December 2018. One fleet was set inside the breeding area, whereas the other two fleets were set 200m and 400m outsides. Fish species abundance, size structure and maturity stages were analyzed from the catch. Fish species abundance was higher within fish breeding areas (67.8%) than outside (32.2%). Labeobarbus intermedius was the most abundant (55.3 %), followed by Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis (29.9%), Labeo cylindricus (13.2%) and Clarias gariepinus (1.7%). Even though larger fish sizes were recorded outside than inside fish breeding areas, they were not statistically different irrespective of seasons (P˃0.05). Majority of the fish (approx. 70%) both inside and outside the breeding areas were in gonad stages 1 and 2. The results indicate that the three areas have great potential to increase fish productivity through fish recruitment and subsequent spillover into fishing grounds. It is recommended that stakeholders, especially Beach Management Units and County Government Department of Fisheries, focus on actualizing the protection of fish breeding areas through enhanced monitoring and surveillance. Fishers should also be sensitized on protected areas concept, coupled with the need to use proper mesh sizes and fishing effort. Beach Management Units should be strengthened as co-management units to guarantee sustainable fisheries resource utilization in Lake Baringo.

Lyidia Kapapa1,2* Paul Onyango1, Philip Bwanthondi1 and Prosper Mfilinge11School of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Technology (SoAF) BOX 35064 University of Dar es Salaam- The united Republic of Tanzania2Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (TAFIRI) BOX 78850 Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaCorresponding Author*: lyidiakapapa@gmail.com ; lyidiakapapa@tafiri.go.tzIt is generally accepted that there is a crisis with future global food security due to the world population growth, the increasing demand for fish protein, and the fact that many of the world’s fish stocks are presently depleted. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is also rising at an alarming rate with biological and economic consequences. Along the coast of Tanzania, demands for fishery resources have been increasing due to population and tourism development; this has led to an increase in fishing pressure and the use of destructive gear and techniques. The present study examines factors influencing the persistence of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulating fishing along the coast of Tanzania. Only 3 beach management units (BMUs) (Kilindoni, Kipumbwi, and Kilwa Kivinje) were sampled. Data collection methods involved a questionnaire-based survey of 414 respondents interviewed. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions, direct observations, and secondary data using BMU records. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations using SPSS Version 23. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data obtained from focus group discussions and Key informant interviews. The present study showed that economic gain is among the driving factors of the persistence of illegal fishing, lack of alternative sources of income, and more than 93.1% of respondents lacking alternative livelihood activities. Types of IUU fishing reported in the study area were beach seine, use of small mesh-sized nets, and avoiding taxes/ unlicensed fishers. Such as, in the Kipumbwi site year 2018, unlicensed fishers were about (203), and licensed fishers were (113). Challenges in combating illegal fishing reported include inadequate funding mechanisms to facilitate BMU activities, it was not easy to acquire information on IUU fishing, lack of equipment (patrol boats), and the lack of incentives, thus discouraging key players such as BMU leaders from engaging fully in dealing with IUU fishing. There is a need for primary support, including availing sustainable funding mechanisms to support BMU, strengthen law enforcement, provide incentives, and purchase patrol boats.Keywords: Beachmanagement units; Illegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing; Fishers community, Small pelagic fishery.

For a long time governments made decisions on the management of fisheries resources in Lake Victoria with little or no input from the resource users and other stakeholders. This approach has been ineffective and these resources have continued to decline over the years. Legislation has therefore been enacted to facilitate the involvement of the resource users in fisheries management through the creation of a local co-management unit the Beach Management Units (BMU). Harmonised BMU guidelines were developed for the establishment and operations of these institutions with a total of 1069 having been formed along the entire shoreline. In addition, BMU networks have been formed for the development of management plans, to prevent and address conflicts, and to represent BMUs at higher levels of governance. The communities now take an active role in the elimination of illegal fishing methods, are involved in revenue collection on behalf of the governments, and in the decision making processes on fisheries related issues. There are still many challenges facing the sustainable management of Lake Victoria fisheries, including; lack of compliance with regulations and rapid increase in fishing effort, environmental degradation, inadequate service provision and the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the fishing communities. Key words: Lake Victoria, co-management, beach management units, management plans, illegal fishing, regulations.

Local embeddedness for beach management units is vital for legitimacy and sustainability. This paper employs the theory of local embeddedness to study the extent to which Beach Management Units (BMUs) will bring about the sustainability of fisheries at the community level. It draws from the perceptions of the communities living in Mtwara rural on how Beach Management Units are governed. Using key informant interviews in four villages of Mtwara rural, different levels of embeddedness were identified and measured. The findings show that although Beach Management Units were introduced to empower local communities to manage fisheries resources, they are not embedded within the community.

The sustainability of Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Homabay County, Kenya, continues to face substantial challenges due to a disconnect between community customs and formal governance structures. This study aimed to address these challenges by investigating the effect of community customs on BMU sustainability and exploring the moderating role of project committee composition. The study was guided by Hardin’s theory of the tragedy of the commons and Network Analysis theory. A concurrent mixed-method research design was employed, targeting 143 BMUs across active fishing sites, with a population of 7,151 individuals, including 1,939 key informants and 5,212 fishing participants from five sub-counties along Lake Victoria. A sample of 647 respondents was selected through stratified random sampling, proportionate stratified sampling, and purposive sampling techniques. Primary data was collected by use of structured questionnaires and key informant interview schedules that captured the various variables of the study. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. Quantitative results revealed that community customs (β = 0.123, p < 0.05) had a positive and statistically significant effect on BMU sustainability. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.711, p < 0.01) indicated a strong positive relationship, with a 71.1% probability that increased alignment with community customs would enhance project sustainability. Qualitative findings further reinforced the significance of local customs, such as traditional ecological knowledge, dispute resolution mechanisms, and collective decision-making in ensuring compliance and enhancing conservation efforts. The study concludes that aligning BMU governance structures with community customs strengthens community ownership, increases regulatory compliance, and promotes sustainable resource management. The research underscores the critical need for managers to actively engage with local communities and incorporate their customs into governance processes. It also urges policymakers to design inclusive governance strategies that bridge the gap between traditional practices and formal management structures. By fostering culturally aligned governance, BMUs can enhance project acceptance, leading to more effective and sustainable natural resource management in developing countries.

Co-management of natural resources has developed within the premise that sustainable management is more likely achieved through decentralized and participatory governance. For Lake Victoria (Kenya), the introduction of co-management through the establishment of beach management units (BMUs) coincided with apparent increases in unsustainable fishing practices associated with concurrent decline in fish stocks. In this article, we identify what institutions at the community level influence practices and how these shape the interpretation and application of formal rules laid down by fisheries policies. Primary data collected from four beaches on the Kenyan side of Lake Victoria document local fishing practices. We found fishing practices are often contrary to government regulations, despite the creation of BMUs that were established to implement government regulations. Instead, fishing practices regulated by the BMUs are highly influenced by kinship ties and corruption. This analysis uses the concept of institutional bricolage to discuss how norms and rules interact to affect resource management. The findings build on existing evidence which challenges the view that devolution of natural resource management to local institutions, even those that follow national guidelines for participatory management, provides for more sustainable fishing. We suggest the need for a perhaps radical rethink of the design of participatory fisheries within Lake Victoria if sustainable management goals are to be realized.

Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake, is the second largest producer of freshwater fishery in Kenya. The lake is co-managed by stakeholders’ groups called Beach Management Units (BMUs) in a co-management arrangement with the government. Despite the enactment of co-management policy, management related challenges including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, overexploitation and resource use conflicts still bedevil the lake leading to plummeting fisheries production. This study identified gaps in stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization methods used by BMUs. Data was collected using questionnaires from 693 respondents in eight beaches. Chi-square was used to test for statistical associations between variables (p?0.05). Results showed that 13 stakeholders grouped into county government (24%), national government (35%) and donors (42%) were included in the lake’s fisheries management. Although stakeholders’ level of inclusion was not statistically significant (x2=4.8911, df=2, p=0.08668), they were associated with certain activities (x2=202.72, df=8, p<0.001). Donors were engaged in training (84%) and provision of equipment (62%), national government mainly provided security (60%) while County government was associated with marketing infrastructure (56%). BMUs enhanced stakeholder’s inclusion by accepting their opinions (54%), invitation to BMU meetings (26%) and allocation of roles (20%). Information was disseminated through BMU secretaries (41%), announcement in public forums (35%) and phone calls/messages (24%). Although most stakeholders were included in fisheries management, key institutional stakeholders such as National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority and Kenya Ports Authority were missing indicating absence of multiple stakeholders who would provide support in specific areas of co-management. Besides, current mobilization methods were inadequate since they excluded traditional leaders, publicity materials, periodic newsletters and electronic/social media platforms. This study points out critical gaps in stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization. The gaps should be filled by careful review of fisheries co-management policy at County level to allow for effective fisheries management.

The proposed research protocol aims to evaluate the effects of digital information on behavior change in small-scale reef fisheries. The study addresses the challenges of sustainable fisheries management, particularly in environments where collective action is necessary but difficult to achieve due to diverse stakeholder behaviors and preferences. Utilizing the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice framework, the study will implement and test the WorldFish Peskas digital monitoring system across various Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Kenya. The experimental design includes five intervention levels, ranging from a control group with minimal information feedback to treatments providing increasingly localized and disaggregated. These interventions will be assessed using a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) approach. The study will test three heuristic models of human behavior: the information deficit model, the self-interested actor model, and the neighborhood interested actor model. These models will guide the interpretation of outcomes, which include changes in fishing practices, governance participation, and socio-economic benefits. The research will run over a 2-year period, with data collection on variables such as fishing patterns, compliance with regulations, and community well-being. Ultimately, this study seeks to inform policy on the effectiveness of digital tools in promoting sustainable fishing practices and improving livelihoods in coastal communities. The findings will provide governments and conservation organizations with a communication framework to better balance ecological sustainability with community needs.

There is a common agreement that establishment of co-management could be of benefit to fisher community and other stakeholders across the African Great Lakes. This could aid in promoting community livelihoods and sustainability of the fishery and lakes ecosystem. However, the effectiveness of established co-management regimes remains unknown. This study evaluated the effectiveness of established co-management units, specifically Beach Management Units, along Lake Victoria, Kenya. Data was collected through site observations, and questionnaire led interviews involving the key informants and Beach Management Units’ members. The study depicted presence of illegal gears (5.7%), pollution (10.2%), insecurity (3.4%) and targeting of undersized fish (1.1%) among others. The role of the management units in lessening aforesaid challenges was reported overall to be below 36%. Features donating to overall performance, enforcement, conflict resolution, welfare and awareness creation, were rated at 17.6%, 33.8%, 35.5% and 13.2% correspondingly. The low rating of such measurable attributes advocates lack of effectiveness of co-management in Lake Victoria, Kenya. Albeit key registers and records were known to most of the members, there were no signs of progressive growth in the management units. This was attributed mainly to lack of continuous awareness creation amid the changing lake environmental conditions and dynamics in the specific species fishery. There is need to sustain the achievements so far attained in promoting co-management and ecosystem sustainability, as enforcement of laws and regulations can be a challenging undertaking without government support. Governments should ensure financial and material provision in expanding capacity of co-management units in promoting community livelihoods and fishery sustainability.

This study presents a participatory assessment of overfished small-scale fisheries from selected landing sites in coastal Kenya using mixed quantitative and qualitative research methods. A seven-criteria ranking using a modified Delphi questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale was used. Through a process of scoring the fisheries on these crite - ria, marine aquarium fishing ranked highest with 86.7%, while beach seine ranked lowest at 55.3%. Averaging of scores and ranking across focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) at individual sites resulted in the following highest scorers: handlines (58.6%), octopus (55.9%), and basket traps (52.5%) for Bamburi; aquar - ium fishing (86.7%), handlines (85.5%), and reef-seines for Marina/Mtwapa; mixed pelagic (60.7%), octopus (60.5%), and rabbitfish (58.4%) for Nyali; and basket traps (70.4%), handline (57.8%), and monofilament nets (64.3%) for Reef. Destruction of critical habitats and prohibitive costs of fishing crafts were key management issues identified through scoring and ranking criteria, while 22 management issues were identified through FGDs. These findings suggest an existing spatial mixture of differences and commonalities among fisheries profiles and management issues. This study revealed trade-offs that should be incorporated in the co-management plans of the respective Beach Management Units (BMUs) in coastal Kenya.

The establishment, persistence, and scaling of marine community-based natural resource management in four coastal districts in Tanzania