Of Chinese tilapia imports and our huge unexploited potential

Judith Otieno selling fried fish at Jubilee market, Kisumu. [Denish Ochieng, Strandard]

It is true that despite the enormous potential of aquaculture production in Kenya, capture fisheries and aquaculture production cannot match the growing demand for fish proteins. With the current fish consumption per capita of 4.5 kg/person/year, many Kenyans, especially those living in the rural areas, will continue to suffer from malnutrition complications.

Food and Agriculture Organisation recommends fish consumption per capita of 20 kg/person/year. Capture fisheries statistics has been declining over the years, mainly due to deteriorating health of aquatic ecosystems, overfishing and climate change effects. Annual fish production was estimated at 180,000 tonnes in 2015-2016. Today the production is about 120,000 tonnes annually.

Attempts to popularise...