Need for Road Map and Plan in the fishing industry, says CS

Cabinet Secretary in charge of Mining, Blue Economic and Maritime Affairs Ali Hassan Joho during a courtesy call to the Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong'o-Story and Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

August 20, 2024

Need for Road Map and Plan in the fishing industry, says CS

There is need for a clear road map and plan for the Fishing industry in the country, the new Cabinet Secretary in charge of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Ali Hassan Joho has said.

He says such a road map and a plan will ensure that the industry is fully revolutionized.

Speaking in Kisumu today during a courtesy on Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang Nyong’o, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs said such a road map and plan will help in coming up with ways on which fisher folk will be trained on modern techniques on fish farming.

Joho says the Ministry will work together with various County Governments across the country on the issue of implementing various maritime affairs projects across the country.

The Cabinet Secretary says having rescue centers for fisher folks across the various landing sites is very vital indeed across the country.

He adds that the various fish landing sites across the country must be protected against any form of land grabbing by private developers.

Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang Nyong’o says the security of the Lake is very vital and various stakeholders should take it seriously.

Nyong’o has hinted on working with various stakeholders like the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, the Kenya Coast Guard among others to ensure that security surveillance of the Lake Victoria is enhanced.

Kisumu West Member of Parliament Rosa Buyu says that landing sites should have cold storage facilities for preserving fresh fish from the Lake Victoria.

Buyu who is also a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs says more funds should be allocated to Maritime affairs.

Buyu says the issue of upwelling of the Lake Victoria has led to the death of more fish within the cages in Lake Victoria in the recent past.

Seme Member of Parliament Dr James Wambura Nyikal says more fishermen should be trained on massive cage fish farming so as to avoid going to the fish breeding sites deep inside the Lake Victoria for fishing.

“More fishermen should be trained on the cage fish farming because this is the way to go. This will further help in easing off pressure on the dwindling fish stocks within the Lake Victoria region,” Dr Nyikal says.

Nyikal calls for establishment of more rescue boats within the Lake Victoria.

Kisumu Woman Representative Ruth Adhiambo Odinga says there should be establishment of more Cooperative Societies for women practicing cage fish farming within the Lake Victoria.

She adds that more people should be trained to undertake professional cage fish farming, adding that it is a good means of livelihood if people are well empowered towards this.

Joho who was accompanied by the two Principal Secretaries in the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs toured both Asat and Ogal Beaches within Seme and Kisumu West Constituencies respectively.