Stakeholders in Turkana have unanimously agreed to establish a fisheries coordination forum in a major step aimed at strengthening collaboration, improving fish resource management and unlocking the county’s blue economy potential.
The forum will bring together the County Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, the Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and the County Beach Management Unit (BMU) Network.
The stakeholders resolved to hold quarterly coordination meetings and immediately establish a WhatsApp platform to facilitate information sharing and improve collaboration among institutions working in the fisheries sector.
County Backs Stronger Coordination
Turkana County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock Development and Fisheries, Dr. Michael Eregae, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and essential for the growth of the fisheries sector.
He directed officials from the County Department of Fisheries and the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries to fast-tract the establishment of the forum.
“To effectively identify areas of collaboration, address gaps and enhance inclusivity, a coordination strategy would be ideal for the sector,” Dr. Eregae said.
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While chairing the stakeholders’ meeting, the CECM emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to improve the livelihoods of fisherfolk organized under Beach Management Units across the county.
Value Chains and Market Access
Chief Officer for Livestock Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Peter Ikaru, underscored the importance of building partnerships to sustainably manage fish resources while expanding market opportunities for fishermen.
He reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to working closely with sector players to strengthen the fisheries value chain.
“We are committed to ensuring fishermen receive adequate training on sustainable fish resource management, developing markets and landing sites, supporting livelihoods, strengthening value chains and ensuring fish for both local and export markets meets the required quality standards,” Ikaru said.
Kalokol Landing Site Among New Projects
Assistant Director of Fisheries Kennedy Opiyo revealed that the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries will develop modern fish landing sites in Kalokol, Turkana County, and Loiyangalani, Marsabit County, to reduce post-harvest losses.
He also disclosed that the ongoing review of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act is expected to introduce an Artisanal Fish Development Fund, which will provide much-needed financial support to fishing communities.
According to Opiyo, the fund will strengthen fish processing cooperatives, provide affordable credit facilities to members and finance training programmes for fisherfolk and other actors in the fisheries sector.
Ferries, Rescue Centre and Water Ambulance
Kenya Maritime Authority representative Edwin Were announced plans to acquire two ferries to improve water transport between Kalokol and Loiyangalani.
The project will include the construction of two jetty landing facilities to improve connectivity and support commercial activities along Lake Turkana.
Were further revealed that the authority plans to establish a main rescue centre in Kalokol, complete with two speedboats and a water ambulance to enhance emergency response on the lake.
In addition, KMA plans to acquire an aircraft and drones to strengthen maritime surveillance and rescue operations across Kenya.
The authority was also tasked with engaging telecommunications service providers to expand mobile network coverage in remote fishing areas to improve communication and emergency response.
KMA further committed to developing a Maritime Information System that will provide fishermen with real-time weather updates and other critical information to improve safety on the lake.
Illegal Fishing
Stakeholders also resolved that future coordination meetings will focus on addressing illegal fishing, harvesting of undersized fish, monitoring and surveillance, fisheries research, accidents on the lake and insecurity affecting fishing communities.
The meeting brought together representatives from the County Fisheries Department, KWS, KeFS, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, BMU and other agencies involved in fisheries management.
The new coordination forum is expected to strengthen institutional collaboration, improve governance within the fisheries sector and accelerate the development of Turkana’s blue economy while creating more sustainable livelihoods for fishing communities.
