Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) in collaboration with other partners have begun re-introducing some fish species facing extinction in Lake Victoria.
KMFRI together with Conservation International and Victory Farms organizations started the programme after identifying areas where restocking of such fish species will be undertaken.
The organizations began re-introducing a tilapia species called oreochromis esculentus in the lake at Roo Beach in the Suba South constituency.
The programme was initiated after KMFRI undertook research that revealed that there was shortage of fish species in the lake.
The shortage has been orchestrated by illegal fishing which includes the use of the wrong gear and encroachment of breeding areas.
The conservation international freshwater director for Africa Leonard Akwany and assistant director at KMFRI Paul Orina said they started the programme after many fishermen complained of the low catch of oreochromis esculentus in the lake.
On Monday, they restocked more than 4,000 fingerlings of the tilapia type of fish.
“We have identified conservation zones where breeding of the fish will take place. Kenya fisheries service is assisting in protecting the breeding zones for the proliferation of the fish,” Akwany said.
Speaking during the restocking of the oreochromis esculentus species at Roo beach conservation zones in Suba South constituency, Akwany said they will undertake the exercise in Gingo, Ukula and Wadianga beaches.
The beaches are also the conservation areas for fish breeding.
Other partners in the project are Victory Farms which deals in fish cage farming in the lake, Kenya Fisheries Service and the Homa Bay government.
Akwany urged the fishing community to support the initiative on the grounds that the project is meant to improve fish production in the lake.
“The community support is paramount in the project because they are the main beneficiaries. We want sustainable fish production in the lake,” he added.
Orina said the research they did indicate that the oreochromis esculentus species of tilapia started dwindling in the lake in the mid-80s.
The lake is also experiencing a shortage of Labeo Victorianus species. It is known in dholuo as Ningu.
He said KMFRI is working closely with Victory Farms and the community to ensure hatcheries of the species are undertaken and their conservation is successful.
“KMFRI will continue to do research and bring back the other species into Lake Victoria. We know that previously these fish were delicacies for many people around this area,” Orina said.
Homa Bay Chief Officer for Fisheries Jack Obonyo and Suba Sub-county Commissioner Sebastian Okiring urged BMU officials to remain vigilant to eradicate bad fishing activities in the lake.
“The county government is drafting a bill that will introduce laws meant to protect fish breeding zones,” Obonyo said.
Okiring said bad fishing methods have caused fish shortages and increased conflicts between Kenyan fishermen and Ugandan and Tanzanian authorities.
Kenyan fishermen have frequently raised complaints of being harassed by security officers from the two neighbouring countries.
They get arrested over alleged trespass and subjected to heavy fines.
“We’re strengthening the coast guard services to ensure that our fishermen continue to operate in a safe environment. Talks are ongoing with our people not to go beyond boundaries during fishing,” Okiring said.
Associate director for development at Victory Farms Miriam Mohamed said they are ready to produce the disappearing fish species for restocking in the lake.
“Victory Farms assists in hatcheries and breeding of the fingerlings for their multiplication. We’re also concerned with sensitization of the community to ensure the breeding zones are protected,” she said.