Country's fish demand rises amid drop in production

The country’s annual fish demand has risen to 700,000 tonnes against a production of 120,000, according to the latest data by the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI).

To address the current shortage, the research institution says the country needs to produce over 100 million fingerlings every year for the aquaculture sector to meet demand.

This came as the government defended the import of fish produce from China, noting that this assisted in addressing the high demand.

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According to KEMFRI chief executive James Njiru, the only way the country could meet the rising demand was through aquaculture farming.

He said the catch in various lakes is on the decline as more farmers entered into aquaculture which was more productive and profitable.

“Of the total annual fish catch in the country, 90 per cent is from fish captured in our lakes and ocean and we still have a deficit of over 500,000 tonnes,” he said.

Under the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP), Njiru said they were working with KALRO to support aquaculture fishing.

Addressing the press in Naivasha during a stakeholders meeting, he identified provision of quality fingerlings and feed as the major challenge currently facing the sector.

“We have received complaints over imports of fish from China but we also export some of our fish products to other countries and we should thus embrace competition,” he said.

To this end, he said the government had set aside Sh12 billion towards the construction of a state of the art hatchery in Shimoni in the Coast to produce quality fingerlings.

On her part, Dr Jane Wamuongo from KALRO said they are working with 24 counties under the Climate Smart Agriculture Project.

Of the 24, Kakamega, Busia, Siaya, Lamu and Marsabit would get support towards aquaculture farming.

“This programme is worth more than Sh41 million and it’s meant to produce quality fingerlings for the five identified counties to increase fish production and empower the farmers,” she said.

The coordinator of the five-year Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project James Singi said World Bank had provided Sh25 billion in supporting the programme across the 24 counties.

He said they were working with various research institutes in the country like KALRO and KEMFRI to address the issues of production and modern farming.

“This is a five-year programme that is meant to increase production through new technology and assist our farmers in getting market for their produce,” he said.

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