Kwale distributes 13 fiberglass boats to fishermen and seaweed farmers
Hussein Abdullahi-KNA
Kwale County Government, in collaboration with the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project, has distributed 13 fibre boats to local fishermen and seaweed farmers to ease their venture.
The 2020-2025 KEMFSED project, worth Sh10 billion, is implemented by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries with support from the World Bank.
The project is being implemented in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu to improve livelihood activities among coastal communities.
It aims at expanding access to livelihood support, food security services, and grants for poor and vulnerable households and businesses to boost socio-economic development of the coastal counties.
The Kwale County Government underscored the importance of the initiatives to enhance food and nutrition security and support local fisheries and agriculture.
Governor Fatuma Achani said the boats, that come with outboard engines and other auxiliary fishing equipment, were distributed to boost productivity and improve livelihoods of the coastal communities.
She commended KEMFSED project and the national government on the partnership to uplift artisanal fisheries value chain in the coastal region.
Achani said ocean fishing plays a significant role in the coastal region’s economy and food systems but noted that sustainable practices are essential to protect fish stocks and the livelihoods that depend on them.
She said the boats distributed to the local fishing and seaweed farmers were part of the commitment to supporting the fishery value chain as the fisheries sector has been facing multiple challenges including climate change and the depletion of marine resources.
Speaking during the distribution event held at Mkunguni Beach Management Unit in Ramisi Ward, Msambweni Sub- County, Governor Achani urged beneficiaries to use the boats responsibly.
Achani said that six boats would be used by seaweed farmers to harvest seaweed from the Indian Ocean while the remaining seven boats would be used by fisherfolks to enable them to undertake deep-sea fishing activities in the sea and increase the fish catch per person per trip from 2.3 kilogrammes to 1.5 tons on daily basis.
Governor Achani who was accompanied by the County Executive Committee Member in-charge of Agriculture and Fisheries Roman Shera termed seaweed farming as an ‘untapped treasure’ adding that the devolved government is committed to supporting its growth through various interventions.
“So far, we have established 21 seaweed farming groups with about 420 active farmers in Msambweni and Lunga Lunga Lunga Sub-Counties. We are also supporting seaweed farmers every year with seaweed farm inputs including ropes, gumboots, gloves and weighing scales,” she said.
Achani said the devolved government through the KEMFSED project has in the past provided the fish farmers with free fish feeds, nets, ropes, floats, deep-sea fishing vessels and sinkers.
Deep sea fishing is undertaken beyond the limit of territorial waters, which is seven nautical miles from the shore, and within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles from the shore.
Kenya's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is a 200 nautical mile (370 kilometers) area extending outwards from its coastline, granting the country sovereign rights over its resources such as fisheries, oil and gas and other seabed minerals within that zone.
“The main focus of the partnership with KEMFSED scheme is to provide assistance to farmers in order to enhance their productivity and create wealth across the agricultural value chain,” Achani said, noting that Kwale would continue to support sustainable practices by small-scale fisheries and aqua farmers.