Effect of climatic and non-climatic factors on fishing activities in Lake Victoria, Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

Abstract. Akoth AJ, Mahiri OS, Obiero K. 2019. Influence of climatic and non-climatic factors on fishing activities in Lake Victoria, Kisumu County, Kenya. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 11: 7-17. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of climatic factors like dry spells, rainfall, and wind strength, as well as non-climatic factors like overfishing, water hyacinth, and predators on fishing activities on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kisumu County. The research used a descriptive survey design. The study area comprised thirty-two beaches, of which eight were chosen to represent Kisumu County as a whole. The eight beaches were sampled using a systematic sampling technique. The data was collected using a sample size of 362 respondents. Fish landing data over the past ten years was collected at the beaches and at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI), while climate data was received from the Kisumu Airport Regional Meteorological Department. Primary data was collected from the beaches using questionnaires and interviews, whereas secondary data was collected from KEMFRI using document analysis guidance, books, and publications. The results were processed and analyzed with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) application, which assisted in the calculation of frequencies, means, and percentages. The study discovered a linkage between climatic factors and fishing activity. Climatic factors and fishing activities have a substantial relationship, according to the study. The amount of rainfall had an effect on fish captures, albeit the effect differed by fish species; Orechromis (r =.260), Lates niloticus (r =.130), and Protopterus (r =.184) had positive correlations with rainfall, whereas Rastrinoebola argentea and Claras gariepinus had negative correlations. Overall, the findings showed a positive correlation coefficient (r =.079) between rainfall and total fish catch. Fish numbers in the lake have decreased due to a dry season accompanied by high temperatures. Strong wind had a negative impact on fishing activities, whereas mild to moderate wind favored fish catch. Non-climatic factors had a significant detrimental impact on fishing activity in Lake Victoria, according to the study. The researcher came to the following conclusions based on the findings: there was a relationship between climatic elements and fishing activities; non-climatic factors primarily influenced fishing activities negatively; however, fishermen implemented mitigation strategies to help address non-climatic factors. Policymakers should regulate fish harvesting as dictated by climatic and weather variations, assess the impact of non-climatic elements in fish production and recommend appropriate mitigation measures, and finally, regulations should be enhanced to save endangered fish species from extinction, according to the findings.