In this issue• Marine Fisheries Sector contribution

to the Blue Economy• State of the Art Research Equipment

a big boost towards harnessing Marine Fisheries

• New Law big boost to Fisheries Sector• Ireland Marine Institute shares experience with

KMFRI on emerging global trends in Marine Fishery

• Kibarani Dumpsite• Pictorial News• From Slave Caves to Eco-tourism Gel• Human activities pushing Lake

Kenyatta to extinction

Prof. James M. Njiru has been appointed the

new Director at the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute with effect from 1st of July 2016 after a competitive recruitment by the Board of Management.

Prof. Njiru boasts a wealth of experience in Fisheries Research and Academia. He is a graduate of Moi University with a BSc in Zoology, Botany and Chemistry, MSc in Aquatic Science, Fish Biology and Ecology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. He obtained his Ph.D from Moi University in the same field.

Prof. Njiru started his career as an Assistant Research Officer in KMFRI in 1989 where he rose to a Senior Research Officer before he moved to Moi University in 2005 as a lecturer. From 2012, he was an Associate Professor in the department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Eldoret, Chepkoilel.

He moved to Kisii University in 2014 where he held various responsibilities as a Head of Department, Director of undergraduate

Studies to his last assignment as the Director for Post-graduate studies. He has been a team leader in many research projects in the region. He is widely published and also has authored 35 children books with four approved by the Ministry of Education in its curriculum

He is also the current Managing Editor of the East African Journal of Water Association and a Reviewer of four peer reviewed journals. Prof. Njiru is the secretary to the Aquatic Science Association of Kenya.

He is a philanthropist running Njiru’s Family Foundation which supports education for destitute children.

KENYA MARINE AND FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Prof. James M. Njiru (PhD) - KMFRI CEO

KMFRI NEWSLETTERJuly - September 2016 Vol 1 Issue 1

MARINE FISHERIES SECTOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE BLUE ECONOMY IN KENYA

Kenya’s surface area comprises of Terrestrial (land) and Marine (aqua)

environments. Marine surface area is broken down to Territorial sea, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Limits of Continental Self. The three zones account for close to a half of the country’s total surface area. The Blue Economy is essentially about all waters, lakes, rivers and subtrean waters. The Marine Blue Economy and specifically the Fisheries Sector has a significant contribution as the country adopts a paradigm shift in the strategy to tap the potential fisheries resources as reflected in the recent accent and subsequent enactment by the President of the Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016.

Marine Fisheries consists of prawn and lobster which form Crustacean Fishery, Tuna, Mari-culture, Ring Net and Beach Fishery. Others are Trap, Spear Gun, Aquarium and Sport Fishing Fishery. Closely related to the sector is the mining exploration and bio-prospecting and extraction of active compounds which fall under Energy and Medical Sectors respectively. However, the existing annual revenue streams in the marine fisheries sector are laughable and an embarrassment to the country considering the vastness Marine surface area and past data by reputable international organizations of big potential. There is an urgent need to remedy this anomaly to improve and mainstream our revenue base as a priority for the country.

To efficiently tap on this potential, the country must invest in The Knowledge Economy to drive The Blue Economy. This will call for accurate and timely data and information to guide policy decisions and attract private investors to commit their finances in this sector. Apart from the existing data from bilateral research expeditions undertaken in the past, many gaps exist. The country has a platform in RV. Mtafiti operated by Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) to gather, analyze and disseminate data and information beyond fisheries sector to other agencies which will be participating in The Blue Economy initiatives and other stake holders. The equipments; Fisheries Acoustics Eco-sounder and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) identifies different fish species and their distribution, which helps understand the potential available and accurately set target limits for sustainable exploitation. They also measure the current speeds, direction and nutrient abundance which guide in determining fish aggregation.

The locally licensed commercial fishing and processing industry must also play an important role by providing accurate data from their current and past records. The enforcement of this requirement by the State Department of Fisheries and The Blue Economy will be crucial in realizing the anticipated benefits from The Marine

2 І KMFRI NEWS

Opinion

contd. page 7

The National Oceanographic Research Vessel, RV. Mtafiti newly

installed equipment are expected to provide useful data and information to semi-industrial and commercial investors to achieve higher catches and also encourage more members 0f the private industry to invest in the sector and benefit from The Blue Economy. This was disclosed yesterday by the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) Prof. James Njiru during the commissioning ceremony of Acoustic Eco-sounder and flagging of a weeklong training expedition for scientists and technologists by the manufacturers held in Mombasa yesterday. “ The Fisheries Acoustic Eco-sounder can detect fish densities at depth and their distribution.......this is the information the private industry need to make investment decisions......KMFRI assures them this information will be available before the end of the year”. He assured. The equipment can

also map abundance of different fish species within the territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Limits of Continental Self for benthic resources. Further, it measures the density of plankton densities to determine nutrients levels which influence the availability of fisheries. The data and information generated by this equipment is done more efficiently and with more accuracy as compared to the convection method of catch and count. The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ACDP) will gather bathymetry data and topography of the ocean up to a depth of 10km which provides information on currents speeds and direction. It can do this from the seafloor at equal intervals up to the surface. The information gathered can help in determining where fish can be found in plenty. According to Dr. Crispin Nyamweya, an expert based at KMFRI specializing on fisheries resource monitoring and ecosystem modeling

STATE OF THE ART RESEARCH EQUIPMENT A BIG BOOST TOWARDS HARNESSING MARINE FISHERIES

Dr. Edward Kimani (standing), Assistant Director, Fisheries and the Chief Scientist of the equipment training cruise during the briefing session onboard Rv Mtafiti while KMFRI CEO, (extreme right), Prof. James Njiru following up on the discussions. Photo: Morris Mukaraku

3 І KMFRI NEWS

NEW LAW IS A BIG BOOST TO FISHERIES SECTOR

The assenting to the Fisheries Management and Development Act

2015 by President Uhuru Kenyatta marks the country’s long journey to tap into the massive marine resources that have been under-utilised for years.More promising was the immediate formation of a team led by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Samson Mwathethe, to prepare a roadmap on tapping the blue economy and submit a report on the way forward to him in two months.

The enactment of the law comes in handy because for decades, communities around fishing areas have remained poor because of lack of a conducive legal framework to guide th e sector.

The fisheries sector has been faced with several challenges including a weak policy framework, limited access to markets, low productivity (yields) and outputs (quantities), weak institutional capacity, weak monitoring and evaluation and lack of use of informational technology, which have limited the sector’s contribution to food security and wealth creation.

Fishermen carry fish from Lake Turkana to the shore on August 31, 2016. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute and other agencies already have a platform in RV Mtafiti to provide information and carry out mapping of marine resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

in the region, “the Eco-sounder is multipurpose tool...mapping identifies target proportion of different fish species and their distribution. This helps reduce resource user conflict between different stake-holders”. He said. From the management perspective, the equipment will generate information to assist policy and decision makers understand the potential available and set target limits for sustainable exploitation. “It has the capability to map other resources apart from fisheries including geological surveys for mineral exploitation and safe navigation routes. The potential of the equipment is limitless....this is just a tip of the iceberg”. He added. This will be a big contribution to upscale benefits derived from The Blue Economy in Kenya.

4 І KMFRI NEWS

contd. from page 3

This has seen regions with vast natural fish production such as Western and Nyanza, Turkana and Coast regions recorded as some of the least developed areas.Under the Act, The Tuna Management Strategy is expected to transform fisheries from artisanal to commercial industry by engaging in Private Public Partnerships (PPP).The Act provides that existing infrastructure, including the ports in Mombasa and Lamu and the proposed fishing ports of Shimoni, Kilifi, Malindi and Kiunga, be upgraded and made efficient.Devolved units along the coast lines are expected to invest more resources mainly through the construction of jetties at strategic locations to encourage commerce and tourism.The country strategy is to focus on coastal tourism, offshore oil and gas exploration, deep and short-sea shipping, yachting and marinas, passenger ferry services and cruise tourism as a starting point.The focus will gradually shift to fisheries and aquaculture, inland water way transport, coastal protection, offshore wind, blue biotechnology, desalination, aggregates and marine mineral mining, marine aquatic products and ocean renewable energy.The Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016 will establish a Fisheries Service Advisory Council to negotiate partnership and fishing access agreements, fisheries monitoring and patrol mechanisms and improve aquaculture to commercial levels.Further, Kenya Fish Marketing Authority will be established to spearhead the implementation and co-ordination of a fish marketing strategy.

GOOD DECISIONThe choice of the Chief of Defence Forces to chair the taskforce is telling; security agencies, and specifically the Kenya Navy, will be vital in the exploitation of the marine resources through enhancing existing patrols, compliance and surveillance in collaboration with enforcement and regulatory bodies in the offshore waters.This will stop the plunder of our marine resources which is currently going on.The Marine Police Unit, Tourism police Unit, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service can secure the near-shore areas, including county ports and fish landing sites.The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), to be delivered early next year, and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) under the State Department of Fisheries will be a big boost to this initiative.The ultimate long term solution will be the creation of a Coast Guard.Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute and other agencies already have a platform in RV Mtafiti to provide information and carry out mapping of marine resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Munene Mukaraku, is the corporate communication officer at Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute while Victor Bwire works at the Media Council of Kenya and teaches environmental journalism.The views and opinions expressed do not represent the official position of the organizations.

5 І KMFRI NEWS

6 І KMFRI NEWS

The Director of Fisheries Ecosystems Advisory Services (FEAS ) at the

Marine Institute of Ireland and immediate president of the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas, Dr. Paul L. Connolly visited KMFRI and shared with local scientists about the economic importance of marine economy.He emphasized that good science was paramount in providing information to the governments to make informed decisions and policies about the oceans. “ you can achieve this by having staff who are motivated, dedicated and enthusiastic...through regular training in new skills to collect good data and provide understanding on land and land in the sea concept. This is the only avenue for knowledge economy to drive Blue economy... land in the sea. He added. To realize the benefits of the Blue economy, Ireland focus was based on three pillars;• Thriving maritime economy.• Healthy ecosystems and• Engaging with the sea. The Ireland Marine Institute has a staff strength of 200 scientists who in the last two decades has provided information to open up the Blue economy in partnership with private entrepreneurs.

Currently, Irish fishing fleet comprises of 2,132 vessels owned by private investors with an anticipated target by 2020 of Euros 6.4 billion. Ireland has a coastline of 7,500 km with current acreage under the sea of 220 mil. acres. Speaking during the deliberations, KMFRI-CEO Prof. James Njiru emphasized the importance for the Kenyan scientists to learn from their peers in premier institutes globally. “ it is obvious to everybody that knowledge and information form the basis to attract entrepreneurs to invest in the Blue economy. Kenya has enormous potential. It is a challenge to us as an institute to make this a reality.” he added.Kenya has a coastline of 640 km. The inland waters cover 18,029 square kms, marine and EEZ142,400 square Kms and the shelf area of 19,120 square Kms. The potential for this is Kes 5.358 billion on fisheries to Blue economy. The CEO indicated that there are advanced plans to enter into partnerships with premier global research institutions in order to capacity build local scientists and also acquire skills on operating specialized equipment recently installed in RV Mtafiti. He expressed his appreciation for the increased funding towards research by the government of Kenya. The key to success will also be pegged

IRELAND MARINE INSTITUTE SHARES EXPERIENCES WITH KMFRI ON EMERGING GLOBAL TRENDS IN MARINE FISHERY

Dr. Paul L. Connolly, Director, Fisheries Ecosystem Advisory Services at the Marine Institute of Ireland in discussions with KMFRI Managers and research scientists.

Photo: Milton Apollo

7 І KMFRI NEWS

on timely dissemination of information through appropriate communication channels and creating interest in the youth to understand the importance and benefits of the Blue economy to the country.

Blue Economy set goals.

The expected Offshore Patrol Vessel ( OPV ) to be delivered early next year will be another platform that will play an important role in ensuring the enforcement and compliance to curtail Illegal Unreported and Unrecorded ( IUU’s ) foreign fishing fleets which have been poaching our fisheries resources. The Port State Measures Agreement ( PSMA ) comprising of 25 countries which held a consultative meeting in Mombasa involving the stake-holders in the marine fisheries industry in July this year is a step in the right direction. At the same time regional and international initiatives in the aquatic research and specifically on marine resources should be enhanced because of the trans-boundary and migratory dynamics of commercial fish species.

The regulatory and legal framework as spelt out in the Fisheries Management and Development Act 2016 must be thoroughly interrogated to grey areas whose loopholes can be manipulated to frustrate the implementation mechanisms. The licensing and taxation regime must be streamlined to reflect the quantities of marine catches. This calls for an option for mandatory requirement for foreign licensed fishing fleets to make port calls for verification of the catches before re-exporting. Failure to institute remedial measures on time will be a big impediment to the realization of the benefits of The Blue Economy which is the current global focus.

The views and opinions expressed do not represent the official position of the organizations.

continued from page 2

For comments and contributions

Send to editor:

Email: mmunene@kmfri.co.ke

: mukarakuh@yahoo.com

8 І KMFRI NEWS

National Marine Research Vessel fitted with the State of the Art Scientific Equipment

The RV. Mtafiti has been fitted with two state of the art equipment which will transform marine research in the Indian Ocean and

generate information to guide the sustainable exploitation of marine resources within Kenyas’ Exclusive Economic Zone ( EEZ ).

The Fisheries Acoustic Eco-sounder has the capacity to detect fish densities at depth and distribution along the Kenyan coast. According to Dr. Edward Kimani, Assistant Director in-charge of Fisheries, “ the equipment will also gather bathymetry data for the topography of the ocean up to a depth of 10 kilometers. This will replace the conventional method of fish and count with more efficiency and accuracy in collected data.”

According to Frank Bahr and Jim Culter research specialist in the Physical Oceanography Department at WHOI and program manager of the Benthic Ecology Department at Mote Marine Laboratory respectively, the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler ( ACDP ) measures currents speed and direction. An ADCP anchored to the seafloor can measure current speed not just at the bottom, but also at equal intervals all the way up to the surface. The instrument can also be mounted horizontally on seawalls or bridge

pilings in rivers and canals to measure the current profile from shore to shore, and to the bottoms of ships to take constant current measurements as the boats move. In very deep areas, they can be lowered on a cable from the surface.

The equipment works by transmitting “pings” of sound at a constant frequency into the water. (The pings are so highly pitched that humans and even dolphins can’t hear them.) As the sound waves travel, they ricochet off particles suspended in the moving water, and reflect back to the instrument.

RV Mtafiti

“ we are moving from random to specific stock assessment with the new equipments which is more effi-cient than the convectional fish and count method.”

Scientists prepare to collect samples aboard RV Mtafiti during the maiden cruise

9 І KMFRI NEWS

the absolute speed of the water, not just how fast one water mass is moving in relation to another.

RV Mtafiti embarked on a maiden cruise in December 2015 with the main focus on Fisheries and Hydrodynamics . The second cruise took place in February 2016 on Monitoring Control and Surveillance ( MCS ). The vessel has been used for training marine scientists in scientific sampling in cruises with participants drawn from Madagascar, Re-Union, Comoros, Kenya and Tanzania.

The vessel is currently undergoing dry docking and scheduled to embark on cruise in the month of August 2016. The new equipment will come in handy in future research expeditions.

Due to the Doppler effect, sound waves bounced back from a particle moving away from the profiler have a slightly lowered frequency when they return. Particles moving toward the instrument send back higher frequency waves. The difference in frequency between the waves the profiler sends out and the waves it receives is called the Doppler shift. The instrument uses this shift to calculate how fast the particle and the water around it are moving.

Sound waves that hit particles far from the profiler take longer to come back than waves that strike close by. By measuring the time it takes for the waves to bounce back and the Doppler shift, the profiler can measure current speed at many different depths with each series of pings.

Vessel-mounted instruments need a vessel with power, a shipboard computer to receive the data, and a GPS navigation system (so the ship’s own movements can be subtracted from the current data). ADCPs have no external read-out, so the data must be stored and manipulated on a computer. Software programs designed to work with ADCP data are available.

According to Dr. Kimani, “ this equipment has such advantages unlike In the past, measuring the current depth profile required the use of long strings of current meters. This is no longer needed.• Measures small scale currents• Unlike previous technology, ADCPs measure

Above: R.V. Mtafiti undergoing dry-docking

Kibarani DumpsiteCompiled by : Dr. Eric Okuku

KMFRI was nominated as a member of the taskforce on the management

of Kibarani dumpsite to advice on marine related impacts of the dumpsite. KMFRI made her position clear that the location of the dumpsite is a major contributor to pollution of Makupa creek. Given that Kenya currently has no legislation on segregation of waste, all sorts of wastes (including biodegradables, batteries, used electronics and plastics are dumped

10 І KMFRI NEWS

Pictorial News

RV Mtafiti Capt. Maj. Paul Kariuki with the KMFRI senior man-agement before the flagging off of equipment testing cruise

KMFRI staff on board RV Mtafiti with the supplier of eco-sounder equipment after successful installation and calibration

PS State Dept of Fisheries & the Blue EconomyProf. Micheni Nti-ba (L), CEC for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Mombasa, Hon. Anthony Njaramba tour the KMFRI stand 2016-ASK

PS Fisheries & the Blue Economy-Prof. Micheni Ntiba celebtrates with KMFRI staff for emerging the best overall in Research insti-tution in this year’s Mombasa International Show

Mr. Athanas Maina, MD-Kenya Railways (3rd l seated) and Prof. James Njiru-CEO KMFRI (3rd r seated) with senior managers from both organ-izations after deliberations regarding sea-sand harvesting for SGR project

Amon Kimeli, a marine geologist & certified hydrographer at the control station of fisheries Acoustics Eco-sounder on RV Mtafiti

Cross-section of the participants during the launch of ‘Mangroves of the West Indian Ocean Book at KMFRI HQ

Senior officers from the State Dept. of Public Works with their KMFRI counter parts after consultative meeting in respect to jetty construction for docking of government vessels

11 І KMFRI NEWS

Pictorial News

Hon. W. Bett (c) CS-MAL&F, Prof. P. Obudho (l) Chairman-KMFRI, and Ms M. Lovei (WB) during the launch of KCDP Documentary

Front row( c ) Dr. Paul L. Connolly, Director, Fisheries Ecosys-tems Advisory Services ( FEAS ), Marine Institute of Ireland and Prof. James Njiru, CEO-KMFRI, 3rd left with KMFRI scientists

KCDP, KMFRI, SDF, officials and members of Baraka Women Group in Kwale, pose for a group photo with World Bank team during a tour of community projects in the Coast of Kenya

KMFRI CEO Prof. James Njiru (c) hands a certificate of participation in the Mombasa ASK Show to Ms. Florence Ayoo (l) at KMFRI HQ

Prof. Ntiba PS Fisheries & Blue Economy(3rd l) & CEC for Fisheries Kilifi Hon. Mwalimu Menza enjoy a dance during the World Oceans Day held in Kilifi County

Prof. Peninah Aloo-Obudho joins the Magarini Disabilities children for a jig

Prof. Peninah Aloo-Obudho (l), Mama Fatuma Mohammed (c) and County Director for Fisheries Kwale County, Mr. Martin Kiogora at Kibuyuni seaweed drying racks

KMFRI Board members join the Magarini community for a traditional jig during a field visit to the HMP funded project

The formation of the caves is attributed to tectonic forces during the geological age which caused the upraising of the

seabed. They cover a distance of five kilometers from the shoreline to the furthest cave. There are three caves at Shimoni and Fikirini Three Sisters which are in the interior. However due to silting and dumping, the access tunnels have been blocked and only one cave at Shimoni has been rehabilitated for eco-tourism business.

The caves are infamous as holding grounds for slaves caught in the hinterland during the 18th century. On arrival at the coast, the slaves would be kept at the Fikirini Three Sisters caves and later moved through the tunnels to Shimoni caves. From the exit at the shoreline, they will then be loaded into the ships and transported to Zanzibar slave market. Most of them ended up in the Middle East as domestic servants and others in the Caribbean islands as plantation workers.

After abolition of the slave trade, the caves were used as a religious shrine until the Shimoni community decided to generate business to finance community projects. There is a myth among the local community that there is a loyal python named “ mwangoto” which guards the caves.

The rehabilitation involved dredging, installation

of electricity, construction of pathways and access staircase from the entrance. According to Mr. Athman Ngonga, the business co-ordinator of the group, they receive around 4,000 visitors annually both local and international with the main attraction being historical information. The ambience from stag mites and stalactites -formations from the seeping water are a sight to behold. There are six types of bats which are residents in the caves.At the moment, the group has invested in a restaurant through a grant by Kenya Coastal Development Projct, a World Bank funded initiative to broaden their income base. There are plans to rehabilitate the other two caves at Shimoni and also open up the Fikirini Three Sisters caves to broaden the scope for the visitors.

The group chairman, Ndalu Mshee Mbwana explained that the funds collected are used to support community activities in health and education. “We compliment supply of medicine to Shimoni dispensary.....there is a bursary fund which caters for privately sourced teachers, a feeding programme for Kichakamkwaju primary school for the deaf and dump and also we pay medical expenses for emergencies and operations for community members”. The group has so far offered bursaries to 20 beneficiaries at secondary, college and university levels.

12 І KMFRI NEWS

From Slave Caves to Eco-tourism Gel in the South Coast of Kenya“An initiative towards supporting community members”

Visitors at the Shimoni Slave Caves Jungle restaurant

13 І KMFRI NEWS

Shimoni caves falls under South Coast tourism circuit neighboring Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park and Reserve, water sports within the Shimoni channel and the famous Wasini island. Access to the facility is well developed including direct flights to Diani from Nairobi by Kenya Airways’ subsidiary carrier-Jambo Jet.

Left: KMFRI management enjoys a meal at the restaurant. Right- the management inside

Shimoni Slave caves

at Kabarani. Whereas, the some organic (like food left overs) are easily degraded, they become a major pollution threat following heavy rains that wash the waste to the creek with the resultant localized anoxia of bottom sediments.The other wastes that are not biodegradable contain heavy metals and otherpersistent organic contaminants that are swept in to the creek thus contaminating the water and sediments. These contaminants bioaccumilate up the food chain and may pose seriousecosystem and humanhealth issues (e.g. kidney, liver and neurological damage, as well as skin and lung cancer)Currently, the County government is covering pilled waste with a layer of soil to reduce the foul smell and smoke from the dumpsite, as KMFRI, we have advised that this method of waste management results in development of methane gas produced when organic matter biodegrades at low under anoxic condition resulting in the sporadic fires at the dumpsite. As a way of controlling the sporadic fires, we have advice that the waste should be thinly spread to enhance supply of oxygen to facilitate

degradation process.KMFRI further noted that plastic bags have short term effect (such ingestion by marine organisms and entanglement of organisms) and other long term effect like contamination of marine environment by toxic substances.On the smoke emanating from the dumpsite, KMFRI warned that the burning of plastic at low temperature produces dioxins which are highly toxic may lead to reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interference with hormones and may also cause cancer following long term exposure.In general, KMFRI advised that the dumpsite should be relocated to avoid the continuous pollution of the creek. We also advice that the county government should invest in recycling facilities to deal with recyclable materials while the non-recyclables should be burned at very high temperature in incinerators to avoid production of toxic gases.

conti’d from page 9

Kibarani Dumpsite

Studies undertaken by a multi-sectoral team of scientists under the Kenya Coastal Development Project (KCDP)

since 2014 have blamed the receding water levels in Lake Kenyatta in Mpeketoni, Lamu County on human encroachment and poor agricultural practices within its catchment area.

Lake Kenyatta has by 2014 a surface area covering 2 hectares with 20sq km. However, estimates from the last decade indicate that the lake has shrunk by over 40% and the projections indicate that without urgent interventions, it could be extinct within the next five years.

The teams comprise scientists from Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), National Museums of Kenya (NMK), and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) with areas of study focusing on fisheries diversity, water quality and botanical audit.

According to Dr. Reuben Omondi, Lake Kenyatta draws its water from satellite lakes and a series of wetlands stretching all the way from Ijara in Garisa County in the North Eastern Kenya, underground feed from River Tana and normal rainfall. However, most of these lakes including

Amu, Maji Glass, Mkumbi and Kanole have dried up with Lumusi surviving with very little water.

The immediate neighborhood of the lake has in the last one decade seen increased farming activities and livestock rearing. The excessive water abstraction by farmers for irrigation has led to sinking of bore-holes and wells thus curtailing any inflow to the lake. There has also been clearance of forest cover either for farming activities, charcoal production and livestock feeds. Similarly, wildlife from Witu forest and the adjacent game reserve has led to great competition for natural resources within this catchment area.

The human pressure from the above activities has resulted to decreased levels of water input into the lake , and increased siltation thus affecting the nutrients and making the shoreline to recede. The effects on fisheries has been stunted growth and parasite infestation. According to Dr Agembe, “ lack of wide genetic pool has resulted to inbreeding with reduced water inflows affecting the lakes productivity in terms of nutrients. Another serious problem is the use of undersize fishing gears.........we suspect the mature small fish is an

Human Activities Pushing Lake Kenyatta to Extinction“ Multi-Sectoral interventions urgently needed to mitigate the anthropogenic effects”

Lake Kenyatta

14 І KMFRI NEWS

15 І KMFRI NEWS

adaptation mechanism for survival.”

Dr Agembe recommends as mitigation intervention “ introduction of fish varieties from other environments to boost the genetic pool.......we also urge enforcement of the correct mesh size by the fishermen to avoid catching juvenile fish once we consult with other stakeholders.” he said.

According to the team leader of the research monitoring expedition Dr Eric Okuku, different stakeholders within the Lake Kenyatta catchment area must work together to ensure activities within and upstream of the lake are sustainably carried out. “ we are looking forward to a situation where there is increased tree coverage, less farming activities near wetlands and water ways and function specific sites like watering troughs for the livestock. This calls for all actors including departments of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and others to mobilize the community members so that we can ensure the survival of this lake.” He said.

The botanical audit team from NMK has described the Lake Kenyatta ecosystem as fragile moving towards critical stage. According to the group leader Mr Bernard Agwada, “ the indicators from reptiles, amphibians, birds and plants has significantly reduced since the initial baseline survey in 2014....insect populations have also reduced...this implies disruption of food chain and with the decreasing water levels, the biodiversity has been compromised”. He further observed that burning of the vegetation cover in the southern part of the lake has had serious repercussions on the hippo population “ burning tends to favour livestock and small wildlife which can eat the newly grown grass when it is one to two centimeters........the hippos are disadvantaged because they can only feed when the grass is four centimeters and above......they are forced to cross to the northern shores

to feed in the farms resulting to human wildlife conflicts. Their reduced numbers can be partly explained by killing by farmers...this affects the nutrients levels in the lake because they are known to fertilize the water through their excreta.” He called for urgent measures to reverse this situation.

discussion with Lake Kenyatta Beach Management Unit ( BMU ) Chairman , Mr Samuel Musyoka paints a very grave picture. He acknowledges that fishermen have witnessed gradual recession of the water mass for the last decade and blames it on several factors. He lists blocking of the water inlet at Pangani area on Witu-Mpeketoni road where the channel was diverted, excessive grazing of livestock from Tana River and Lamu Counties, and sinking of excessive boreholes for irrigation as the major culprits. “we have experienced reduced fish catches due to the bareness of the lake......we have been forced to subsidize our incomes through farming, sea fishing and rearing of livestock. Our fear is that if there are no interventions, the lake will not be there in 5 years time. Rainfall alone cannot restore the lake....the diversion at Pangani and forcing irrigation farmers allow water to flow downstream is the only solution”. He lamented.

The way forward therefore is to ensure enforcement of existing regulations in regard to water abstraction, logging, and afforestation. It is important that all government agencies with mandate for different aspects together with the Lamu County government implement the recommendations obtained by the research team and make arrangements for continued monitoring.

KENYA MARINE FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTEP.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya,

Telephone: +254-(0)20 8021561,+254–(0)41-4475154Website: www.kmfri.co.ke

Prof. James Njiru, CEO-KMFRI has underscored the important role

mangroves ecosystem play in the environment ranging from ecological, social and economic functions. He made the observation when he presided over the official launch of mangrove book titled “Mangroves of the West Indian Ocean: Status and Management” in a function held at KMFRI headquarters on 22nd Sept. 2016.He observed that “ like other countries in the region, over-harvesting, conversion pressure, and pollution effects threaten Kenya’s mangroves. The condition is worsened by sea-level rise that is associated with global climate change”. Prof. Njiru further acknowledged the efforts by the editorial team led by Dr. Jared Bosire in the production of the book. “ ..this is a living treasure to scientists, students, and practitioners interested in rehabilitation, conservation and sustainable utilization of mangrove resources”. He observed.The book covers the mangroves of the mainland states of Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa. The island states are Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros and Madagascar.Mangrove ecosystems despite their low diversity, simple structure and limited spatial coverage are important in that they trap sediments from fresh water systems and provide protection to the adjacent habitats of sea-grass beds and coral reefs from siltation. Further, mangroves provide

protection against shore line erosion and the investments there on not to mention moderation of tsunami and related vagaries.The convectional use of mangroves has been fuel wood, building, fodder, medicine and boat building. More crucial is providing conducive environment to many fish species during spawning as nursery grounds and safe havens from predators. The ecological services of the mangroves are the most valuable. However, the reality is that over exploitation and displacement to accommodate aquaculture, farming, mining and settlements has had profound effects. Different agencies and stake holders have implemented various interventions and mitigating activities which include replanting and diversification to conservation friendly economic engagements.The most important undertaking has been the carbon credit sale in the international blue economy market which has benefitted the villages of Gazi and Makongeni in South Coast. The proceeds realized have been instrumental in financing community projects in education, sanitation and heath and provision of clean domestic water. This has greatly contributed to the reduction of pressure on mangroves and other fisheries resources. The plans to upscale these initiatives along the entire coastline are commendable.The launching ceremony was also graced by Mr. Mohammed Awer, Chief Executive Officer, WWF Kenya, Departmental Heads from Kenya Forest Service, State Department of Fisheries & Blue Economy, Kenya Wildlife Service and Non-Governmental Organizations.The publication is part of the book series commissioned by Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) with financial support from Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).

Book on the Mangroves of the Western Indian Ocean launched at Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute

Prof. James Njiru (standing) with a copy of ‘Mangroves of the West Indian Ocean Book’ during its launch at KMFRI HQ