Government restocks Turkwel Dam with 80,000 fingerlings

ANTHONY MELLY-KNA

The Government has restocked Turkwel Dam with 80,000 tilapia fingerlings in a bid to replenish the dwindling fish stock and sustain the fishery as a vital source of livelihood.

Addressing the press at Turkwel Dam, Ann Mokoro, the regional director for five counties in the North Rift region— including West Pokot, Trans vital food sources and income through fish sales, and supports environmental conservation efforts.

‘‘The income generated from fishing allows people to afford education for their children,’’ Mokoro said.

She encouraged fishers to harvest fish only after they have laid eggs and matured, and to ensure they return smaller fish back to the dam to promote stock growth.

‘‘Fishers should obtain licenses and register with Beach Management Unit (BMU) for legal recognition and to receive government support,’’ Mokoro said.

She disclosed that there is a formal process for formation and registration of BMUs, which oversee dam management and ensure that only fishers benefit from government support, including donations and resources.

Mokoro also said the Kenya Fisheries Services department is collaborating with the county government in West Pokot to engage the local community to form a BMU.

She said the formation of BMUs helps the fisheries department identify those involved in dam management, ensuring they can benefit from government support.

She said given the size of Turkwel dam, the distribution for restocking consists of 40,000 fingerlings to the Kango’letiang area and 40,000 to the Riting area to replenish fish stocks and ensure sustainable harvests.

Mokoro emphasized the importance of community cooperation, proper regulations, and government support to sustain the fishery, improve livelihoods, and maintain ecological balance in the dam.

She urged the local community to care for restocked fish and remind those who have not yet obtained their fishing licenses to do so too. 

In his remarks, Samoei Kosgei, the director of fisheries department in West Pokot County, expressed gratitude towards the national government and the Kenya Fisheries Services for the donation of the high-quality fingerlings from Sagana National Research and Breeding Center.

He noted that it was the first time the county government had received fingerlings from Sagana, noting that previously they had been sourcing from Kisumu and Chwele in Bungoma County.

Kosgei cautioned locals against using illegal fishing nets and emphasized the importance of caring for the fish population, which would ultimately benefit the community.

He encouraged proper fishing practices, urging fishers to return any small fish caught back to the dam. He urged fishermen to register with the beach management unit to participate in fishing activities at the dam, stating that future support from the government, including fishing nets and boats, would only be available to those registered.

Anton Mulegeni, the Chairman of the Kapsendu Beach Management Unit at Turkwel Dam, expressed gratitude to the government for their efforts in restocking fish in the dam.

He noted they had experienced low and small-sized fish catches and expressed optimism that the increased fish stock will boost local incomes.