An Overview of Kenyan Aquaculture: Current Status, Challenges, and Opportunities for Future Development

Abstract

The Kenyan aquaculture sector is broadly categorized into freshwater aquaculture and mariculture. Whereas freshwater aquaculture has recorded significant progress over the last decade, the mariculture sector has yet to be fully exploited. The Kenyan aquaculture industry has seen slow growth for decades until recently, when the government-funded Economic Stimulus Program increased fish farming nationwide. Thus far, the program has facilitated the alleviation of poverty, spurred regional development, and led to increased commercial thinking among Kenyan fish farmers. Indeed, national aquaculture production grew from 1,000 MT/y in 2000 (equivalent to 1% of national fish production) to 12,000 MT/y, representing 7% of the national harvest, in 2010. The production is projected to hit 20,000 MT/y, representing 10% of total production and valued at USD 22.5 million over the next 5 years. The dominant aquaculture systems in Kenya include earthen and lined ponds, dams, and tanks distributed across the country. The most commonly farmed fish species are Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus, which accounts for about 75% of production, followed by African catfish Clarias gariepinus, which contributes about 21% of aquaculture production. Other species include common carp Cyprinus carpio, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, koi carp Cyprinus carpio carpio, and goldfish Carassius auratus. Recently, Kenyan researchers have begun culturing native fish species such as Labeo victorianus and Labeo cylindricus at the National Aquaculture Research Development and Training Centre in Sagana. Apart from limited knowledge of modern aquaculture technology, the Kenyan aquaculture sector still suffers from an inadequate supply of certified quality seed fish and feed, incomprehensive aquaculture policy, and low funding for research. Glaring opportunities in the Kenyan aquaculture industry include the production of live fish food, e.g., Artemia, daphnia and rotifers, marine fish and shellfish larviculture; seaweed farming; cage culture; integrated fish farming; culture of indigenous fish species; and investment in the fish feed industry.

From aid to responsible trade: driving competitive aquaculture sector development in Kenya : Quick scan of robustness, reliability and resilience of the aquaculture sector

“…Regulations and standards for feed and fingerlings have been developed; however, enforcement and implementation of them is weak (Ngugi & Manyala 2009, Rothuis et al 2011, Munguti et al 2014a). Specifically, the problems of poor quality of fingerlings and feed point to a weak institutional framework and the inability of public and private stakeholders to improve these inputs.…”

“…This production earned fish farmers 5.5 billion Kenyan Shillings 2 (KES), which was a 19.6% improvement from the previous year, when farmers earned KES 4.6 billion (MOALF 2013a). Kenya has 1.4 million ha of potential aquaculture production area; only 0.014% is utilized, with 95% of the production being under small-scale aquaculture (Otieno, 2011 cited in Munguti et al, 2014a). The questions of where and to what extent it is advisable to develop and fully utilise this area remain to be answered.…”

“…The existence of approximately 28,000 fishponds ranging from 0.04 ha to 0.8 ha was reported in the 1960s, but most of them were abandoned due to lack of inputs (mainly feeds and quality seed) and perpetual poor harvests (Ngugi & Manyala 2009) The FFEPP triggered a rapid growth in the sector (Rothuis et al 2011, FAO 2016, with GoK support being provided in the form of subsidies for fingerlings, feed and pond construction. GoK embarked on aggressive "eat more fish" campaigns to create markets for the products (Munguti et al 2014a). It is reported that through this programme, the aquaculture sector production increased from 2,000 tonnes/year in 2003 to 12,000 tonnes/year in 2013 (Musyoka & Mutia 2016).…”

“…Although it is not clear how many jobs are currently available in the full supply chain, it was reported that the sector employed 67,883 fish farmers in 2013 (MOALF 2013a). However, despite the country being endowed with regions that have favourable climatic and geographic conditions for aquaculture investment (Rothuis et al 2011, MOALF 2013a, Munguti et al 2014a), aquaculture's contribution to total fish production in Kenya is low: just 14% in 2013. The production potential is strongest where farming conditions are favourable, and weakest in the arid and semi-arid areas (Musyoka & Mutia 2016) and where the population consists of traditionally non-fish-eating communities.…”

“…Production in earthen ponds is popular with smallholders because this type of cultivation requires minimal input (start-up capital, fingerlings, feed, technology and general management practices) (Munguti et al 2014a). This is supported by data from the Fisheries Department, which reports 69,194 earthen ponds (2,076 ha by the end of 2013, but only 161 tanks (2.31 ha) and 124 reservoirs (74.7 ha), with fishponds being mainly owned and managed by individual fish farmers, and selfsupporting groups managing dams/reservoirs (MOALF 2013a).…”