Fishermen reap from new farming method

 By PATRICK BEJA

Mombasa County

Fishermen in Coast Province have enhanced fish stocks through creating community conservation enclosures.

The fishermen identify areas in coral reefs and close them to allow breeding and growing of fish.

Dr Nyawira Muthiga, a marine programme officer and conservation scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), said the fishermen along the coastline have embraced the new method through the Beach Management Units (BMUs).

This fisherman in Mombasa is proud of his catch. Fishermen in the region are using coral reef closures to breed and conserve fish. [PHOTO: MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD]

Several fishing groups have identified closures measuring between five and 50 hectares for breeding fish and conservation, she said.

Some BMUs at the Coast, however, still resist the creation of restricted fishing zones for fear of losing traditional fishing grounds despite falling fish stocks.

"The fishermen have established 13 closures and have restricted fishing to improve stocks. The concept was introduced following dwindling stocks," she said.

The first community closure was established at Kuru Witu in North Coast in 2006 and has reportedly enhanced fish stock.

The Director of Fisheries Godfrey Monor said the Government was considering gazetting the closures, locally known as tengefu, to enhance fish conservation.

"The Government fully supports the idea of communities creating conservation areas because they have improved fish stocks. We are considering gazetting the conserved areas to enhance their protection," Monor said.

The conservation closures are set to be put on Global Positioning System to improve monitoring.

Monor and Muthiga were addressing 120 fishermen from Kwale, Mombasa and Kilifi counties at an annual forum on fishing in Mombasa Thursday.

destroy environment

Coast Director of Fisheries Nicholas Ntheketha also addressed the meeting.

Muthiga said WCS has been conducting research on fisheries to ensure sustained fish stocks.

She said fishermen were also being sensitised on the use of proper fishing gear to improve the quality of catch and minimise environmental destruction.

"We have been working with fishermen to stop the use of beach seine fishing gear since the method catches fingerlings and destroys the environment," she said.

She said fishermen were being educated on the use of gated fish traps that ensure only intended fish are caught.