Seventy-six fisherfolk from Shimoni village in Kwale county have been trained as coxswains.
They have also received 19 modern fishing gear and boats to boost their livelihoods. One of them is a glass boat for ecotourism.
The Sh58 million equipment was donated by the national government, through the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project, in partnership with the Kwale government.
Governor Fatuma Achani said the equipment will benefit the fishing communities through their beach management units.
"The equipment and safety gear will enable local fisherfolk to fully exploit the wide range of blue economy opportunities and improve livelihoods," she said.
Achani urged them to take advantage of the cold storage equipment to do deep fishing and store their catch.
Each boat can carry eight crew members and 1.5 tonnes of fish.
Achani said the boats will promote safety and responsible fishing since the communities were taken through the legal processes and compliance of fishing regulations.
She said previously, residents depended on wooden canoes that were ineffective.
The governor said in most cases, fishermen risked their lives since they had no safety gear.
Achani said more equipment will be bought to ensure fishing communities benefit from the ocean.
She said the national and county governments are committed to supporting fishermen with equipment to upgrade from small-scale to commercial fishing.
Achani said the anticipated Shimoni fish port will help the community reduce post-harvest losses and promote processing and value addition.
She said the port will contain advanced cold storage facilities and provide a platform for fish marketing.
"A lot of opportunities are here. You should take fishing seriously to change your lives," Achani said.
She said plans are afoot to set up a fish market in Shimoni for fishermen to find a market for their catch and improve the industry.
The governor told residents to take good care of the equipment and warned against selling them.
Achani directed Kenya Coast Guards and KWS officers to work closely with the local fishermen and provide necessary guidance instead of harassing and arresting them for no valid reason.
KEMFSED county project coordinator Samuel Bandari said the initiative is part of the government agenda to enhance food security.
"The project is in line with key government objectives of supporting local fishermen through the construction of cold storage facilities and capacity build to facilitate their growth," he said.
Bandari said the equipment will enable fishermen to improve their catch from five kilos to 1.5 tonnes per day.
Fisherfolk community representative Rama Hamis said it is a major boost for them since many farmers lack proper equipment for growth because of poverty.
Hamis said in a few months, the fishermen will have made great strides in transforming their lives and the sector.