New law to boost war on illegal fishing in Kenya

President Uhuru Kenyatta

MOMBASA: President Uhuru Kenyatta has signed the Fisheries Management Development Bill.

The new law allows the Kenyan navy to intercept unauthorised fishing ships in Kenya's waters and also protect the country's's Exclusive Economic Zone.

The law establishes Kenya Fisheries Services and Kenya Fisheries Advisory Council to ensure conservation, development of standards on management, sustainable use and protection of the country's fisheries resources.

The President signed the new law at the Port of Mombasa on Saturday after he commissioned the Sh30 billion second container terminal.

And the President has formed a committee to formulate strategies on how Kenya can protect its marine resources in the Indian Ocean.

The team, which will be chaired by Chief of Defence Forces Samson Mwathethe, has two months to propose ways the country can increase its surveillance in the Indian Ocean and develop necessary infrastructure for the sector.

The committee will also look into ways of building fishing vessels and industries that will create jobs for Kenyans, especially in the Coast region.

The bill also provides for conservation, management and development of fisheries and other aquatic resources to enhance livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing.

Further, the law gives guidance on importation and exportation of fish and fish products.