Project launched to save rare fish, marine species

A global wildlife trade monitoring network has launched marine species information boards in Kenya and Tanzania to guide fishers and traders on prohibited species.

The information boards launched by Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce (Traffic) are expected to aid in identification of threatened marine species.

The information boards are also expected to remind fishing communities to follow the laws to avoid wiping out rare species whose populations are under threat.

"In response to concerns over unsustainable and illegal catch and trade in East African nearshore fisheries, Traffic has launched information boards to raise awareness of prohibited species among fishers and traders, and aid compliance officers in identifying threatened marine species," the organisation said in a statement.

The information boards have been placed at strategic landing sites in Kenya and Tanzania and include a wide range of species all of which are protected by national law.

It also includes a number of species whose trade is restricted internationally by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).

These include turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks, molluscs, corals and others.

Apart from listing the banned species, the information boards also detail prohibited fishing methods and gear in each country, as well as the minimum permitted mesh size of fishing nets.

Among prohibited fishing gears and methods include spear guns, monofilament nets and electrification. Text on the information boards is in both Swahili and English, and local fish names have been used to make the boards understandable.

"Making such regulations clearly visible at each landing site will provide compliance officers with the capacity to regulate fishing gear," the organisation noted.

Previously, nationally protected species including the Humphead Wrasse, a species listed as endangered and Bowmouth Guitarfish which is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species have been found being sold in markets.

In 2022, Traffic revealed a list of 489 different marine species for sale at artisanal fish markets.

A 2020 report found inadequate enforcement of fishing laws in Kenya and Tanzania is due to insufficient funding, lack of compliance capacity and knowledge of protected marine species.