Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake, is the second largest producer of freshwater fishery in Kenya. The lake is co-managed by stakeholders’ groups called Beach Management Units (BMUs) in a co-management arrangement with the government. Despite the enactment of co-management policy, management related challenges including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, overexploitation and resource use conflicts still bedevil the lake leading to plummeting fisheries production. This study identified gaps in stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization methods used by BMUs.  Data was collected using questionnaires from 693 respondents in eight beaches. Chi-square was used to test for statistical associations between variables (p≤0.05). Results showed that 13 stakeholders grouped into county government (24%), national government (35%) and donors (42%) were included in the lake’s fisheries management. Although stakeholders’ level of inclusion was not statistically significant (x2=4.8911, df=2, p=0.08668), they were associated with certain activities (x2=202.72, df=8, p<0.001). Donors were engaged in training (84%) and provision of equipment (62%), national government mainly provided security (60%) while County government was associated with marketing infrastructure (56%). BMUs enhanced stakeholder’s inclusion by accepting their opinions (54%), invitation to BMU meetings (26%) and allocation of roles (20%). Information was disseminated through BMU secretaries (41%), announcement in public forums (35%) and phone calls/messages (24%).  Although most stakeholders were included in fisheries management, key institutional stakeholders such as National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority and Kenya Ports Authority were missing indicating absence of multiple stakeholders who would provide support in specific areas of co-management. Besides, current mobilization methods were inadequate since they excluded traditional leaders, publicity materials, periodic newsletters and electronic/social media platforms. This study points out critical gaps in stakeholders’ inclusion and mobilization. The gaps should be filled by careful review of fisheries co-management policy at County level to allow for effective fisheries management.

Yala Wetland is a complex of Nzoia and Yala rivers that drain their waters into Lake Victoria, but face various pressure which is thought to originate from the impacts of climate change. The riparian communities are generally poor and use the wetland resources for small-holder livelihood activities. This paper describes how community climate change adaptation assessment (C3A2) tools were applied to identify resilient community-level adaptation options

No abstract

The study evaluated the role of different substrates on water quality, growth and survival of Labeo victorianus fry. Random sampling was used to select 225 fry, stocked at 100/m 3 and fed on shell free artemia® (40% -60% crude protein). Each treatment was carried out in triplicates using gravel and sand as substrates and water media without substrate (control). Growth and survival of the fry was monitored over 4 weeks period at a hatchery set-up. Physicochemical parameters were measured weekly while mortality was documented daily. Substrate type had an effect on water quality, growth and survival of fry. Dissolved Oxygen, growth and survival was higher in tanks under gravel substrate than sand and control while mortality was higher (22%) for sand (p ≤ 0.05) than gravel and sand treatments. Fry in gravel substrate had the best growth response (1.77 ± 0.92 g) while control and sand recorded 1.57 ± 0.90 g and 1.45 ± 0.97 g respectively. In contrast, growth was homogenous during the first 2 weeks of the trial but gravel substrate fry significantly out-grew sand and control in the remaining 3 weeks. However, fry in sand and control experienced compensatory growth towards the end of the study. Therefore, gravel substrate enhances L. victorianus performance and is recommended in the introduction of the species into aquaculture and restocking back to the wild.