Poor funding blamed for drop in fish production

Christine Ayuma shows a carton of frozen fish imported from China in Kisumu and distributed by East African Sea Food LTD on June 29,2016. The lakeside town formerly known for massive production of fish is fed with fish from lake Turkana, River Nile in Uganda and lately China. (PHOTO: DENISH OCHIENG'/ STANDARD|

Official statistics indicate fish production has been declining due to inadequate funding. This emerged even as reports show catch imported from China has flooded the local market.

Economic Survey Report 2016 done by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicates there was a decline in production of fish from both fresh water and marine sources in 2015.

The report shows fish production from fresh water sources remained the major source of catch, accounting for over 90 per cent of the total output.

It showed during the year under review, total fish output declined by 14.3 per cent from 168,400 metric tons in 2014 to 144,300 metric ton in 2015.

Fish from fresh water sources dropped by 15.0 per cent from 159,300 metric tons in 2014 to 135,400 metric tons in 2015, mainly attributed to decline in catches from Lake Victoria and fish farming.

“The decline in landings from Lake Victoria is partly explained by dwindling stocks of the Nile perch species in the lake. Fish output from fish farming reduced by 22.4 per cent from 24,100 metric tons in 2014 to 18,700 metric tons in 2015. This was partly attributed to failure by farmers to re-stock fish ponds in 2015,” read the report in part.

Total earnings decreased from Sh22.4 billion in 2014 to Sh22.2 billion in 2015.

Below mark

The county governments along the lake have admitted to the said shortage, saying inadequate funding for fisheries development has been a major cause.

With the Maputo Declaration demanding that Agriculture gets at least 10 per cent of the budget, most counties in western Kenya have admitted to getting way below the mark, a situation which leaves very little for development.

Homa Bay County has allocated about Sh300 million for agricultural development this financial year, which translates to 6.7 per cent.

County Agriculture Executive Eliud Otieno yesterday said the county, which covers close to 70 per cent of Kenya’s lake waters, has embarked on massive fish multiplication project to bridge the shortage.

His Kisumu counterpart Henry Obade said the shortage of funds saw the county reduce the budget for agricultural development from Sh200 million to Sh170 million this financial year.

Obade said the shortage is set to be discussed in the Agriculture CEC caucus in the Council of Governors to find a lasting solution.

Migori Agriculture Executive Isca Oluoch said the county government allocated Sh23 million for fish pond projects to bridge the shortage.

“We know fish farmers are looking into the lake only, but we are working on promoting fish farming. We allocated Sh13 million towards that last year and we have another Sh10 million this year,” said Ms Oluoch.