Gloom for fishing industry as processing companies close

Rose Akinyi sells fish at her stall in Obunga, Kisumu town, yesterday. The fish popularly known locally as mgongo wazi goes for a minimum of Sh30. [PHOTO: DENISH OCHIENG]

The ongoing closure of fish processing companies is causing panic among stakeholders.

Kenya Fish Processors and Exporters Association (KFPEA) says the closure of more fish processing factories in Kisumu, Migori and Homa Bay counties and increased harvesting of immature fish have complicated matters further.

The closure of Pecha Foods Ltd, which specialised in Nile Perch processing around Lake Victoria, paints a picture of an industry on its death bed.

The association is now urging the Government to intervene and stop illegal fishing to save the industry.

It says stern action should be taken against those involved in illegal fishing.

Many people are now jobless after the fish processing companies were closed, according to the association's chief executive officer Beth Wagude.

streamline sector

"At least 16 factories that rely on Lake Victoria for their fish have been closed. We now have only two still in operation but we are not also sure about their future unless necessary steps are taken to streamline the sector," she said.

She added: "Ten companies closed due to lack of adequate fish while three closed because they could not attain the required hygiene and sanitation standards. The last three closed due to financial challenges."

Wagude urged the Government to invest more in the management of the industry. "The department of fisheries should closely monitor fishing activities and ensure illegal fishing is stopped," she added.

Lake Victoria is a major resource in the region making fishing a major economic activity.

The lake spans five counties; Busia, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Migori and Siaya. Other than fishing, the lake also provides water both for domestic use and irrigation.

Today, the lake produces fish worth Sh14 billion annually, according to Wagude. Nile perch is the most common and contributes Sh4 billion of all exports.

Out of the close to 170,000 metric tonnes of fish harvested every year, up to 94 per cent are not mature enough.

"Fishing is open and uncontrolled. This means anyone can fish, whether they have knowledge of the industry and what needs to be done or not. The number of fishermen has steadily increased each year and this has continued to reduce the stocks in the lake," Wagude said.

A 2013 survey report by Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation showed illegal gill nets (less than five inches) increased by 61 per cent between 2000 and 2012.

To address the problems facing the industry, Wagude said exporters and processors should not accept fish that are not mature enough.

However, even with this, she added, the challenge will still not go away because most of the fish ends up in the local markets, which is largely controlled.

The Standard also learnt that some fish processing and exporting companies are also facing a new problem after some exporters resorted to cannibalising the Nile Perch and only taking away the maws, which are in high demand in the Middle East.

This means that the companies can no longer buy the already cannibalised fish because they are most likely contaminated after that.

"As the illegal fish market opened up, the fish maws market also opened up. Today, the Nile perch is gutted at the beach and the maws removed and exported mainly to the far east, " says Wagude.

fishing industry

 Wagude said the challenges facing the fishing industry need a multi-sectoral approach to resolve.

"We must all come together and chart the way forward and address the issues ailing this sector. Otherwise, auxiliary industries supported by fishing such as packaging, boat building and net making will also suffer," the official said further.