Mombasa County government announces major investments to grow fishing industry

MOMBASA: The county government has announced new measures intended to generate better income from the fishing industry.

Fisheries Development Executive Anthony Njaramba said the county will invest in the industry and facilitate formation of Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (Saccos) for 2,000 fishing stakeholders.

The executive said formation of these Saccos will be rolled out starting March this year and they are expected to boost earnings by giving fishermen greater price negotiation and helping them acquire improved fishing gear.

Mr Njaramba said this on Wednesday when he addressed more than 200 members of the Mombasa Old Town Beach Management Unit (BMU) at Fort Jesus Museum during an awareness meeting.

The meeting was held ahead of a move to form Saccos for the 15 BMUs in the county

"Saccos will connect us to supermarkets and other marketing outlets which will eliminate middlemen who exploit you. You sell a kilo of tuna at Sh200 on landing yet the same can fetch up to Sh600 at supermarkets after value addition," he said.

BOAT TRAINING

The Mombasa Old Town BMU secretary Mr Adil Ahmed urged the Government to facilitate registration of all fishing sector stakeholders and election of new officials, saying this will ensure smooth formation of Saccos and boost security at sea.

"We particularly need to know the boat owners and the operators for security reasons and to ensure these vessels are not used to ferry contraband goods like hard drugs," Ahmed said.

Njaramba said refurbishment of the fishing industry has begun after the county government and Kenya Ports Authority acquired four boats at Sh4 million each.

"The county government plans to purchase a boat each for the 15 BMUs to help them increase their catch," he said.

He also announced plans for fishermen to undergo a six-month training course before they are issued with coxswain certificates to enable them operate modern fishing boats and venture into deep sea fishing.

"This will make it possible for local fishermen to operate big trawlers once they are introduced in this region instead of relying on foreigners. We will train 10 fishermen at a time," he said.