New facility to reduce post-harvest fish loss

Around 48 Beach Management Units (BMUs) ranging from Lamu to Vanga and LungaLunga will benefit.

To produce ice and dry fish, a portion of the project has already been installed in Mwazaro, Pongwe-Kidimu, and Lunga Lunga Kwale County.

The solar cooling and drying project, according to KIRDI's lead researcher, Linus K'Osambo, is completely off the grid and targets small-scale fishermen in remote areas who operate from small-scale landing sites.

With a fish deficit of over 300 tonnes in the country, no fish should go to waste, said K'Osambo, adding that the project will aid in preserving the harvest.

"The project was designed to intervene and prevent post-harvest losses of fish, especially given that we are having a fish production deficit. So we're not supposed to lose any fish that we farm or catch," K'Osambo said.

According to him, the project is intended to produce ice to assist farmers and fishermen in preserving fish as they are caught, as well as shelf-stable fish that can reach inland markets through high-quality drying.

"The goal is to have systems that can be installed in areas where our power grid cannot reach. We plan to build 48 BMUs from Lamu to Vanga on Kenya's South Coast," said K'Osambo.

He added that the project would also focus on capacity building and fish handling, both of which are necessary for Kenyan fish to be sold in high-end markets.

"We must produce high-quality fish that adheres to quality standards. So this project is doing onsite capacity building, producing ice, drying fish, and marketing it," K'Osembo added.

Dr James Mwaluma, the KMFRI's Director for Oceans and Coastal Systems in Mombasa, said the project will benefit Tana River fishermen who have a bumper harvest of bronze and snappers.

Mwaluma said during the peak season, Tana River fishermen suffer massive post-harvest losses.

He said the project would be beneficial as they seek to introduce mariculture farming (ocean fish farming), with a hatchery already established in Shimoni.

"The main challenge for mariculture production has been a lack of seeds. So, in our strategy, the project will be useful when there are a lot of harvests because it will help farmers preserve the fish so that they can reach a wider market," Mwaluma added.

He said the project would also help to dry up seaweed farming in the shorelines of Kibuyuni and Nyumba Sita, as well as add value to the resources.

Dr Albert Esper, the Managing Director of Innotech Company, said the solar-powered system would keep fish for more than a year and guarantee zero food losses during harvest.