Kwale banks on Sh10b KEMFSED programme to unlock fisheries potential

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki inspects works at the Shimoni Fish Port in Kwale county accompanied by Governor Fatuma Achani, Mining CS Hassan Joho, PS Betsy Njagi, ICT PS John Tanui, KPA MD William Ruto, MPs and MCAs, on January 7, 2025. [File, Standard] Kwale county government has embarked on harnessing the fisheries sector to ensure sustainable livelihoods. The county in collaboration with the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project, is advancing the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The Sh10 billion KEMFSED project which is implemented by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries with support from the World Bank will run from 2020-2025. The fishery infrastructure project is being implemented in Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu counties to enable fisherfolk to increase their catch and improve livelihoods. The blue economy sector encompasses fisheries, maritime biotechnology, aquaculture, tourism and marine transport and logistics. Governor Fatuma Achani said that the project is making great strides towards building a climate-resilient aquatic food system. Achani was optimistic that the partnership is slowly unlocking Kwale's fisheries potential and upgrading fishery infrastructure to overcome challenges and boost growth. Achani explained that the programme also invested in skills development through training 76 local fishermen as certified coxswains including four women to operate vessels and conduct deep-sea fishing expeditions. "This initiative is not just about increasing the quantity of fish caught; it's about improving the livelihoods of fishermen and their families," she said adding that it is a step towards ensuring long-term prosperity for the fishing communities. The governor said the Kwale fisheries sector plays a vital role in food and nutrition security and economic growth and the county government is ensuring access to quality inputs, sufficient infrastructure and adequate financial support. She noted that the county government has distributed 60 modern fishing boats with outboard motor engines, fish finders, GPS gadgets, and advanced fish value addition equipment. Other distributed items include multifilament fishing nets, cooler boxes, flares, bond liners, life rafts and life jacket floats to small-scale fishermen in order to turn fishing into a profitable venture. Achani further said that the investment has significantly improved fish yield, increasing daily catch for local fisherfolk in Tsunza, Waa, Tiwi, Mwaepe, Msambweni, Mkwiro, and Vanga fishing villages from two to three kilograms to over 1.5 tons. "Having access to outboard engines and improved fishing gear has allowed our local fishermen to increase the amount of fish catches," she said, adding that fisherfolk can now fish safely and sustainably. The governor said that modern fishing equipment such as the deep-sea vessels has allowed the fishermen to go to the exclusive economic zone. Kenya's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a 200 nautical mile (370 km) area extending outwards from its coastline, granting the country sovereign rights over its resources such as fisheries, oil and gas and other seabed minerals within that zone. She revealed that previously the boats used by local fishermen were not sustainable for fishing in exclusive economic zone waters. "Limited access to modern fishing equipment, inadequate skills, and the growing impact of climate change have hampered their productivity and income over the years," she said. Achani noted that the KEMSFED project has also facilitated the construction of nine fully equipped fish landing sites outfitted with cold storage and modern handling facilities in Shimoni, Vanga, Gasi, Chale, and Tsunza fishing villages. County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and Fisheries, Roman Shera, said the new facilities have allowed the fishermen to store their catch for longer periods, reducing waste and boosting profitability. Shera said the cold storage facilities have allowed fishermen to supply fresh fish, which sells for a higher price than dried fish to external marine fisheries markets.

Kwale banks on Sh10b KEMFSED programme to unlock fisheries potential

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Kwale banks on Sh10b KEMFSED programme to unlock fisheries potential

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