The increase in the use of unauthorised fishing gear and casting nets in prohibited breeding zones is contributing to dwindling fish stock in Lake Turkana.
Fishmongers and consumers in major towns such as Kalokol, Lodwar and Kakuma are already feeling the pinch due to the scarcity of fish.
Jane Ikaru, a fishmonger said that supply from Lake Turkana is not reliable, noting that she is supplied once a week compared to between three to four times early this year.
Fisheries officials say that despite stringent measures put in place to control undersized fishing in the lake, some fishermen cast their nets in the prohibited zones every day.
“All stakeholders in the fish sector need to accept that there is a big problem, instead of blaming each other,” Kennedy Opiyo, assistant director for the State Department of Blue Economy and Fisheries said.
He added: “We need to sit down and agree on how to save this lake, it is a critical resource we have and if common fish species are extinct our future generation will suffer.”
The official further said, as a department, they have enforced the law on saving the lake, but nothing was forthcoming.
One of the initiatives aimed at addressing the situation is a programme initiated by the Turkana County Government and USAID-NAWIRI supporting fisherfolk along the shores of the lake with the right fishing gear.
Hussein Abdile, the Chief of Party, USAID-NAWIRI said they have invested Sh157 million to support the fishermen in organized Beach Management Units (BMUs) such as Lomekwi, Lobolo, Napeget and Moruong’or.
“The project aims to not only provide fishermen with high-quality fishing gear but also to enhance the capacity of BMUs. The livelihood programme is set to benefit more than 1,200 beneficiaries,” Mr Abdile said. The fishermen also received twines, manilla ropes, fishing floaters, and hooks.
The County Director for Fisheries, Adengo David termed USAID-NAWIRI as a valuable partner.
Philip Aemun, an official from SAPCONE said as development partners in the fishing sector, they were ready to team up with the County Government to lobby for the establishment of the Lake Turkana Development Authority to unlock the potential of the lake.
