Kilifi, Tana River fishermen trained on vital skills and safety

Fishing in Kilifi and Tana River counties has been enhanced through a comprehensive training initiative aimed at improving the skills and safety of local fisherfolk.

A total of 45 fishermen successfully completed the programme designed to increase efficiency and safety within the fishing sector.

Thirty three of the fishermen from Kilifi county and twelve from Tana River county received their Coxswain III certificates at the Kisumu Maritime Centre.

The certification came at the end of a six-week training funded by the The Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) grant.

The project was implemented by the government through the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries with support from the World Bank.

One of the beneficiaries, 27-year-old Pauline Mwaka said the training came as a blessing to them.

Having assisted her mother in selling fish from her primary school days, Mwaka has now become Coxswain within Kilifi county.

Mwaka, a resident of Kibarani ward, also completed the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) certificate, enabling her to work with larger vessels.

Reflecting on her experiences, Mwaka said, "Anytime I went to bring fish from the ocean, priorities were given to other people. Sometimes you don't get the best, and I wanted to improve this, hence decided to be among the people who get it directly from the waters."

She added that given the lack of jobs in the country, the training is a lifesaver because she now plans to use boats donated to them to start earning a living immediately upon returning to her county.

Another beneficiary, Adam Mohammed from Tana River, said the programme emphasised sustainable fishing practices, safety measures, emergency procedures and first aid to reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities at sea.

"We didn't know the laws within the oceans, safety fishing methods, or how to handle emergencies," he said.

"But from the teachings, we now have the knowledge which we will share with our counterparts who didn't manage to get into this programme and help our community as a whole."

Mohammed said "from here, we have our documentation and will no longer have issues with the coast guards".

Dr Chula Mwagona, County executive for Agriculture in Kilifi said the  participants are boat captains who were privileged to receive boats and other fishing gear in groups.

He said the donations are expected to increase fish production in the region, increase income for participants, enhance their standards of living and also offer employment opportunities to the young people.

Mwagona said the items were received under the KEMFSED project, with the requirement that participants undergo training to manage their boats effectively.

"We have experienced several challenges where some of the fisherfolk don't have proper documentation or even the skills and knowledge to operate some of the vessels," he said.

"But we are happy with this training, so they can go back, get to the water and work hard to improve their livelihood and that of their community as a whole," Mwagona said.

He added that the fishermen can now undertake their fishing activities in deeper waters and increase their daily catches, thanks to the skills, knowledge, boats and other safety gear they have acquired.

On his part, Vitalis Leo, Director Kisumu Maritime Centre, highlighted the importance of the training for fishermen across the country.

He said that Kilifi county has had the highest number of trainees at 90, Kwale 71, Mombasa 45 while Tana River had 12 Coxswains in the last two phases of the programme.