Abstract
Marine fisheries in Kenya mainly comprise of the artisanal fishermen who use non-motorized boats. Competition of these dwindling resources has led to overfishing and degradation of coral reef ecosystems. One of the methods which have been used to enhance sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources is the use of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). The study was conducted in two areas along the Kenyan coast which are: Msambweni in the southern part and Kuruwitu (Vipingo) in the northern part of the Kenyan coast. A combination of systematic site surveys: structured and semi structured interviews with key informants (community leaders and resource users); participant observations; descriptions of daily and seasonal time use; and analyses of secondary sources, such as fisheries records, was used to gather information and triangulate results. The perception of the community about FADs was determined by conducting a socio-economic survey before and after deploying FADs. Colonization and biomass survey around the deployed FADs was undertaken and fish associated with FADs was recorded. Results indicate that nine families of fish aggregated around FADs and at different distances. Catch and effort at FADs have been evaluated by monitoring catch data from fishers on daily basis after deployments.
Highlights
Kenya’s coastline extends about 600 km along the seafront, from Somalia’s border at Ishakani in the north, to Tanzania’s border at Vanga in the south
From the interviews done in Kilifi and Msambweni, it was found out that 30.7% were at the age of 30 - 40 years, 22.7% at the age of 20 - 30 years, 18.2% at the age of 40 - 50 years and 28.4% were more than 50 years
On the reconnaissance and socio economic survey, it was concluded that there is a good potential for the implementation of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in Kenya because pelagic fish appeared to be sufficient to allow aggregation of fish around FADs
Summary
Kenya’s coastline extends about 600 km along the seafront, from Somalia’s border at Ishakani in the north (longitude 1 ̊41'S), to Tanzania’s border at Vanga in the south (longitude 4 ̊40'S). A distinctive feature of Kenya’s coastline is a fringing coral reef running parallel to the coastline from Vanga to Malindi bay [1]. The coastal climate of Kenya is influenced mainly by large scale pressure systems of Western Indian Ocean and Monsoon winds. Most of marine fishing in Kenya is small-scale artisanal that operates in the coastal near-shores [2]. Competition of these dwindling resources has led to overfishing and degradation of coral reef ecosystems
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