Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development

Abstrait

Social Economic Survey and Feasibility Study to Initiate Cage Fish Farming in Kenyan Coastal Creeks

Holeh GM, Magondu EW, Njiru JM, Tsuma S, Salim A, Muriuki AM, Fulanda A, Kilonzo J, Ochola O, Ndirangu S, Zamu MS, Athoni G, Luyesi J

The objective of the study was to determine the feasibility of introducing cage fish farming in the North and Southern Coast of Kenya and the most appropriate species for culture. This was based on socio-economic survey and physio-chemical parameter analysis during the study including the speed of the current, direction, and tidal variation which was done using the Acoustic Wave and Current Profiler (AWAC). Fish identification, phytoplankton productivity and harmful algal determination was also factored to determine favorable species to be cultured and conditions of plankton groups, biomass and diversity where the cage installation will take place. On the socio-economic survey, 34.3% were between the ages of 26-35 forming the majority of the residents responds. 78.4% of respondents were males and 64.7% were primary school drop outs. 83.3% of the respondents had lived in the area of study for over 20 years. 41.2% of the respondents were full time fishermen making fishing their main source of livelihood in their households. 77.5% of the respondents admitted there is a high fish demand of the particular areas having started the fishing job at an early average age of 10-19 years and majority of them (48.53) inherited the fishing techniques from parents. At least 89.55 of fishermen prefer doing fishing as a group and seine net is the most used gear used by the fishermen while 7.5% use long liners and 1.5% dive to fish. Prawns, Chaa (Sesame) and Tuna were the mostly caught fish in the areas. The survey showed that the current speed of Dabaso North coast and Tsunza creek at the South was 0.344m/s and 0.890m/s respectively. This was quite a low speed indicating the area is suitable for cage installation. The highest tide in Dabaso, North coast was 2.59m and Tsunza creek South coast was 4.52m with lowest tide at 0.72m and 1.10m respectively and variation difference of 1.87 and 3.42. In responding to the perception of cage culture in the areas, 93% of the respondents accepted the idea of cage fish farming and both areas had good security as per the respondents. Most conflicts that arose in these areas were due to theft, competition and net destruction. It was observed that the North coast communities were not conversant with cage fish farming and as such, much time was taken explaining about cage fish farming.