Kenya’s fish output grows to Sh39 billion despite Lake Victoria slowdown
Inland capture fisheries supplied more than half of Kenya’s fish, with Lake Victoria producing 67,575 tonnes, a four per cent drop from 70,313 tonnes the previous year.
Kenya’s fish industry posted impressive growth in 2024, with total production valued at Sh39.6 billion, despite lower catches from Lake Victoria, the nation’s largest fish source.
The Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), as reported by Business Daily, that the country harvested 168,424 tonnes of fish last year, a 4.4 per cent increase from 161,307 tonnes worth Sh35.9 billion in 2023.
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“As has been the trend in the past, most of the production was from inland capture fisheries, amounting to 86,527 tonnes with an ex-vessel value of Sh14.5 billion. The fish production from marine and aquaculture was 48,474 tonnes and 33,423 tonnes worth Sh18.6 billion and Sh9.9 billion, respectively,” said the KeFS.
Inland capture fisheries supplied more than half of Kenya’s fish, with Lake Victoria producing 67,575 tonnes, a four per cent drop from 70,313 tonnes the previous year.
“This can be attributed to increased fishing pressure, fish-critical habitat destruction, and the prevalence of illegal unreported fishing activities,” the agency noted.
Lake Turkana, known as the world’s largest desert lake, saw production decrease slightly to 15,618 tonnes from 15,899 tonnes in 2023. KeFS attributed the decline to elevated water levels that restricted fishers’ access to their usual fishing areas.
Other freshwater sources showed varied performance. “Freshwater bodies of commercial importance whose catches increased in 2024 were Lake Baringo (9 per cent), Lake Jipe (13 per cent), and small dams (1 per cent).
The catches from the lakes in 2024 were 456 tonnes, 319 tonnes, and 440 tonnes, respectively, compared to 420 tonnes, 282 tonnes, and 434 tonnes in 2023,” the report said.
Conversely, production fell in several water bodies, including Naivasha (2 per cent), Turkana (11 per cent), Lake Kanyaboli (83 per cent), Tana River dams (4 per cent), Tana River Delta (6 per cent), and Turkwel Dam (4 per cent).
Fish farming remained a key growth area, with aquaculture output rising by five per cent to 33,423 tonnes from 31,767 tonnes in 2023.
Cage culture accounted for 25,547 tonnes, representing the largest share of farmed fish. Land-based freshwater aquaculture produced 7,742 tonnes, while coastal mariculture added 134 tonnes.
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