Coast fishermen to benefit from modern boats and landing sites

Bakari Mzee, a 45-year-old fisherman operating in Tiwi, has been in the trade for more than 20 years now but has nothing to show for the years of hard work.

According to Bakari, who spoke to the Eastleigh Voice, the lack of proper equipment and financial constraints hinder his progress. 

The father of five children says he started fishing when he was only 24 years old and has faced multiple challenges in sustaining his livelihood. 

"I started fishing earlier, because as teens, my friends and I used to fish in rivers but I started pursuing it as a career when I was 24 years old. My father, who was also a fisherman, introduced me to the trade," Bakari recalled. 

He, however, says local fishermen like himself find it hard to progress because of poverty, which is preventing them from purchasing modern equipment that can allow them to venture deep into the sea safely. For that reason, most fishermen operating in the region are languishing in poverty.

"We have boats but cannot withstand the huge waves in the deep sea so we are forced to fish closer to the shore to avoid accidents," he said.

Another fisherman, Hafidhi Ali, said most of the time they are forced to sell their catch at a throwaway price for fear of the fish rotting.

"We have no proper storage facilities. The cooler boxes we use provide limited space for storage and preservation, making it difficult to store many fish," he explained while speaking to the Eastleigh Voice. 

Like other fishermen from the coast, Mzee and Ali have welcomed the government's project to revive the fishing sector. The project involves the construction of a Sh1.4 billion landing site from Lamu to Vanga in Kwale County. 

The fishermen are optimistic that the project will improve their financial status. 

Mining CS Salim Mvurya engages with fishermen at Msambweni in Kwale County during the World Ocean Day on June 8, 2024. (Photo: Mishi Gongo)

Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya assured the fishermen that the sites will improve conservation, aquaculture, and livelihoods.

According to CS Salim, the president has already authorised the disbursement of money to build improved fish landing sites in coastal counties.

"The projects have been tendered to contractors. Mokoye, Mtangawanda, and Kipini (Lamu), Ngomeni and Kilifi Central in Kilifi, Kidongo in Mombasa, and Mwaepe in Kwale are some of the areas set to benefit," he said.

The modern landing sites will contain cold storage, ice production, cleaning and processing facilities to prevent post-harvest losses and improve value addition for the fish. They will also be equipped with CCTVs, floodlights, and security monitoring rooms to enhance security for a 24/7 economy.

"We, as the government, want to exploit the blue economy opportunities and transform fisheries as a key investment area," said the CS, adding that the project seeks to empower coastal fishermen and improve their living standards. 

President William Ruto, he emphasised, is determined to put in place the right infrastructure to ensure fishing is productive and the local fishermen get a sustainable income. 

In addition to the vast landing site, the government has also purchased 150 modern boats that will be distributed to the fishermen at the coast and assist them in deep fishing. Modern fishing vessels will prevent the overexploitation of shallow-water marine life and allow the utilisation of the abundant untapped resources in deep seawater.

The modern fishing boats will have nets, outboard motors, cooler boxes, flares, bond liners, GPS gadgets, life rafts, lifesaving rings, and life jackets to enhance the safety of the fishermen while in the ocean.

"The government wants to empower local fishermen to venture into the country's exclusive economic zone and fish beyond its territorial waters," CS Salim insisted, stating that many local fishermen in the region are using traditional boats (canoes), which limits them from effective fishing.